Congressman Faleomavaega announced that on November 6, 2003 President Bush signed into law the Iraqi Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill which provides travel costs for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Included in the conference report is language I recommended to make sure that soldiers from the territories, including American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, are also eligible for travel reimbursement,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  

“Congress has recommended that $55,000,000 be used for covering the travel costs of troops on rest and recuperation (R&R) leave.  Specifically, these funds are to be used to cover any additional costs incurred by troops returning from the Iraq or Afghanistan theaters to reach their home of record (in the United States, or its territories and commonwealths) from established disembarkation points in the United States.”

“As A Vietnam veteran, I am fully supportive of the military’s R&R program which allows soldiers who have served 12 straight months to qualify for R&R and allows them to return home and see their families.  However, prior to this conference language, the R&R program only covered the costs of travel to designated hubs such as Baltimore and then required our soldiers to pay their own way home from the hub,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. 

“For a soldier from American Samoa, a ticket from Baltimore and back could cost more than $1,600.  This is why I am pleased that members of Congress came together and agreed that we must do better for our troops and we must begin by setting aside funds to cover the costs of their travel home for R&R.”

“At this time, I would like to thank my colleagues for agreeing to include language which I recommended which makes sure that soldiers serving from American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are also eligible for travel reimbursement and are afforded the same rights and privileges as every other man and woman serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.”

“I would like to especially thank Chairman Jerry Lewis and Ranking Member John Murtha of the Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations for including my language.  I would also like to thank Senator Daniel Inouye and Senator Ted Stevens for their continued support.  Finally, I want to thank the men and women of American Samoa who are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during this difficult time.  As always, I commend them for their courage and, above all, I wish them and their families the very best,” the Congressman concluded.