October 14, 1982
Today I am very pleased to sign H.R. 6782, the ``Veterans Compensation, Education, and
Employment Amendments of 1982.'' This bill will provide a 7.4 percent cost-of-living increase to
some 2.3 million veterans with service-connected disabilities. It will also provide the same
percentage increase to approximately 319,000 widows and children of veterans whose deaths
were service-connected. These increases will be retroactive to October 1 of this year.
I am also happy to say that this legislation does not stop there. H.R. 6782 will benefit our veterans
in other ways as well. The bill provides a higher compensation rate for certain blind veterans. It
extends the period during which certain Vietnam-era veterans can continue vocational training. It
makes a number of improvements in the Veterans Administration's insurance and burial benefits
programs. And finally, it is aimed at strengthening the Department of Labor's programs to help
veterans gain employment.
I am always gratified when administration proposals are passed by the Congress. But I am
especially gratified that the 7.4-percent increase in benefits and the other provisions of this
legislation have now become law.
This country owes a very special debt to those veterans who have sacrificed their lives for the
defense of this nation and to all veterans who unselfishly served their country. This legislation
demonstrates the Nation's continuing commitment and support for the men and women who have
served in our military forces.
I want to commend Chairman Alan Simpson and Chairman Sonny Montgomery and the other
members of the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees for their skillful and dedicated
stewardship of this bill.
Note: As enacted, H.R. 6782 is Public Law 97 - 306, approved October 14.