TO PROMOTE THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP66B00403R000200160039-9
Release Decision:
RIFPUB
Original Classification:
K
Document Page Count:
2
Document Creation Date:
December 16, 2016
Document Release Date:
December 29, 2004
Sequence Number:
39
Case Number:
Publication Date:
August 11, 1964
Content Type:
OPEN
File:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
![]() | 356.34 KB |
Body:
1964
Approved For Rele 2005/02/10 CIA-RDP66B00403R000160039-9
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD HOUSE
eligibility. This would not operate,
however, in contributory pension plans
until an individual receiving pension on
October'31; 1964, had recouped his con-
tribution.
Second, amounts paid by the veteran
for the last illness and burial of his de-
ceased spouse or child.
Third, profit from the disposition of
real or personal property other than in
the course of business.
Fourth, payments received as a result
of jury duty or other obligatory civic
obligations.
Fifth, payments under the war or-
phans educational assistance program.
Sixth, bonus or similar payments from
a State.
Section 2 removes the requirement
that a child file a report every year show-
ing annual income received during the
preceding year.
Section 3: Under Veterans' Adminis-
tration pension regulations a veteran, in
order to receive pension at age 65, in ad-
dition to meeting the income require-
ments must be unemployable, and have a
10-percent disability. Section 3 would
remove the requirement of a 10-percent
disability as well as unemployability at-
tributed thereto.
Section 4 provides increases in benefits
which are modest but when coupled with
income exclusions approved In this bill
will increase most pensions.
Section 5 increases the additional al-
lowance for aid and attendance cases
from $70 to $100.
Section 6 provides a new rate of $35
additional to any, veteran who is per-
manently housebond.
Section 7. Existing law excludes $1,200
of the wife's Income and counts the bal-
ance in determining the veteran's eligi-
bility for pension where the veteran is
married, The amendment would exclude
$1,200 or all earned income, whichever is
the greater.
Section .8 provides the same sort of pro-
tection for the non-service-connected
aid and attendance pension cases as is
now available for the service-connected
cases receiving compensation under 38
United States Code 314(r). That is, the
allowance shall not be discontinued un-
til the first day of the second calendar
month which begins after the date of the
admission for VA hospitalization rather
than immediately as is the case today.
This section also makes similar provi-
sions for aid and attendance compensa-
tion allowances under provisions other
than 314(r).
Section 9 authorizes individuals who
are receiving aid and attendance pension
allowances provided by 38 United States
Code 521(d) to be furnished drugs or
medicine which are prescribed by a
physician.
Section, 10 make a technical correc-
tion to existing law to make certain that
a widow may not receive more than an
award of death pension on account of
the service of her husband in more than
one war.
Section l l permits the same 10-percent
exclusion factor described in section 1
for the "old law" cases-pensioners
under law in effect on ,Tune 30, 1960.
No. 156-15
Section 12. The bill is generally effec-
tive January 1, 1965, except that the
section relating to recoupment shall not
apply to any individual receiving pen-
sion on October 31, 1964, until his con-
tributions have been recouped.
In addition to the increase in benefits,
there are many other improvements
which are contained in H.R. 1927, in par-
ticular, as they affect needy veterans who
also need medical attention.
Mr. Speaker, I am and always will be
a fiscal conservative. I think that reck-
less spending policies of our Federal Gov-
ernment have done as much to work a
hardship on our senior citizens, veterans
and nonveterans alike, as any other fac-
tor. Wise fiscal policies strengthen the
dollar and preserve purchasing power,
thereby protecting those who live on
fixed incomes. At the same time, I look
on veterans' pensions as an obligation of
our Government, and in this obligation
we should not pinch. It has been 4 years
since the last pension increase, and nei-
ther that increase nor the one contem-
plated in this bill is substantial. I have
supported all veterans' measures during
my 4 years in Congress and intend to
continue these efforts if I return to this
body in January.
I particularly have an affection for
the causes of the veterans and enjoy
working on their claims. Many hun-
dreds of them have been assisted by our
office. My father was known as "Pension
Bill" during his 20 years in the House
representing the same district, the 17th
of Ohio. During his day, most pensions
were private bills, and the Member,
therefore, took a personal interest In
every single veteran pension. Now we
have general statutes which grant bene-
fits to entire classes of veterans, and we
do not require specific legislation for In-
dividual veterans. Possibly this is why
we are not as mindful as we should be of
the limited nature of veterans' benefits.
As any rate, I am glad we were able to
make this much deserved improvement
in non-service-connected benefits, and I
hope that the Senate will promptly pass
H.R. 1927 so that its provisions will be
available to our veterans in January of
next year.
ANNUAL INCOME LIMITATIONS FOR
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES
(Mr. GURNEY (at the request of
Mr. ScxwzncER) was granted permission
to extend his remarks at this point in the
RECORD and to include extraneous mat-
ter.)
Mr. GURNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I
have introduced legislation designed to
raise the annual income limitations for
social security beneficiaries from $1,200
to $1,800 and to reduce from 72 to 70 the
age at which such deductions cease to
be made.
My bill will amend title II of the Social
Security Act to provide these changes for
our senior citizens.
I have long been concerned with this
problem. Our senior citizens want to be
productive, but provisions in the exist-
ing law hamper their ambition.
These provisions tend to hold down
18379
the ambition of our senior citizens who
have been so loyal to their country and
have contributed to the great growth of
this powerful Nation.
Moreover, with the constantly rising
cost of living, this bill would permit our
senior citizens to augment their earnings
and income. This is badly needed.
Too often in dealing with the every-
day problems of governing this Nation,
the Congress is negligent when it comes
to considering the needs of senior citi-
zens. Too often these patriotic Ameri-
cans, in their twilight, are shunted in
the rush of everyday life.
This legislation I have introduce4 to-
day will hopefully help meet the ob-
lem facing our senior citizens.
TO PROMOTE THE MAINTENANCE
OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND
SECURITY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
(Mr. BARRY (at the request of Mr.
SCHWEIKER) was granted permission to
extend his remarks at this point in the
RECORD and to include extraneous
matter.)
Mr. BARRY. Mr. Speaker, Kenneth
T. Young, Jr., has made a strong en-
dorsement of the congressional resolu-
tion to promote the maintenance of in-
ternational peace and security in south-
east Asia. Mr. Young speaks as the for-
mer U.S. Ambassador to Thailand and
U.S. representative to SEATO.
At this time I would like to submit
Mr. Young's recent letter outlining the
urgency of the action taken by this body
on Friday, August 7 in unanimously ap-
proving House Joint Resolution 1145.
AuGusT 6, 1964.
Hon. ROBERT R. BARRY,
House Office Building, Washington, D.C.
DEAR BoB: I am writing you In strong sup-
port of the proposed joint resolution on
southeast Asia which the President sub-
mitted to both Houses of the Congress on
August 5. This resolution is both timely and
urgent.
It is particularly significant that in sec-
tion 2 the Congress, representing a united
people, informs the world that the "United
States regards as vital to its national interest
and to world peace the maintenance of In-
ternational peace and security in southeast
Asia." From my recent experience in south-
east Asia, I became convinced some time
ago, as I have previously written you, that
such a legislative declaration would help
prevent war, secure peace and stabilize
progress with protection in Vietnam and the
other free states of southeast Asia. An Inde-
pendent, peaceful southeast Asia is vital to
the peace and safety of Asia, the Pacific
countries, and the United States.
I also welcome the resolution to take such
steps as are necessary to prevent further
aggression and. to use our Armed Forces to
help our treaty allies and friends-such as
Thailand and Vietnam-defend themselves.
While the President's firm deliberative ac-
tions and a congressional declaration may
hopefully deter hostilities, we all must be
prepared In the immediate future for a very
unpleasant deterioration in southeast Asia
and the necessity for the American people
united together to take stern effective action
to achieve our objectives with success.
I for one would hope that the task in Viet-
nam and southeast Asia could now become an
American challenge for all of us to meet
together for the duration until that success
is ours-and theirs.
Approved. For Release 2005/02/10 : CIA-RDP66B00403R000200160039-9
18380
Approved For Release 2005/02/10 : CIA-RDP66B00403R000200160039-9
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE August
Much political, social, and economic re-
construction remains to be done there. A
whole new movement of popular resurgency
will come if there is freedom from terror and
bullying. There is much constructive work
for the United Nations to do there too. I
am gratified that the final section of the
proposed resolution recognizes that too.
Perhaps a stand of firmness now will open
ways later for southeast Asia to become an
international sanctuary of true peace and
progress for the new younger generation in
the cities and schools, the millions of farm-
ers and their families, and the many different
rainorities. But only a declaration of our
vital concern and a demonstration of our
resolute determination will make this prom-
ise possible.
I hope this proposed resolution passes both
Houses unanimously.
With best regards.
Sincerely,
KENNETH T. Youxo, Jr.,
Former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand
and U.S. Representative to SEATO.
CORRECTION OF ROLLCALL
Mr. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, on roll-
call No. 202 I am recorded as absent. I
was here and answered to my name. I
ask unanimous consent that the perma-
nent RECORD and Journal be corrected
accordingly.
The SPEAKER. Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from South
Carolina?
There was no objection.
THE MILITARY MAN-OUR BEST
INVESTMENT IN THE CAUSE OF
PEACE
The SPEAKER. Under previous order
of the House, the gentleman from Cali-
fornia [Mr. GUBSERI is recognized for 30
minutes.
(Mr. GUBSER asked and was given
permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GUBSER. Mr. Speaker-
You have not been mistaken in supposing
my views and feelings to be in favor of the
abolition of war. I hope it is practicable,
by improving the minds and morals of
society, to lessen the disposition to war; but
of this abolition I despair.
So wrote Thomas Jefferson on Novem-
ber 26, 1817, in a letter to Noah Wor-
cester.
The American people have not forgot-
ten Bunker Hill, Appomattox, Ch?rteau-
Thierry, Guadalcanal, and Panmunjon.
Though memories have dimmed with
time, the hearts of our people still hold
a quiet pride in the achievements of our
military men. Today in South Vietnam
the bravery of our fighting men is vivid
once again In the minds and hearts of
every American. Two years ago It was
clear beyond dispute that the ultimate
factor which brought this country
through the Cuban crisis with its safety
and honor intact was not negotiation,
It was the realistic fact that this Na-
tions' military power was too great, too
dedicated, and too skillful for the Soviets
to challenge it.
But during periods of relative calm
and the absence of crisis, we hear the
voices of a few who would discredit the
military man. Waves of antimilitarism
sweep this Nation punctuated with emo-
tional outbursts playing on the natural
anxieties of our people, in the hope that
anything military can be discredited.
Often our professional fighting men
are represented as witless opponents to
civilian Intellectuals in their pursuit of
wise negotiations which lead to peace.
Often the military man is represented as
a . trigger-happy fool and a dangerous
rightwinger. In these times between
crises, we see an all-out effort to dis-
credit the military mind and military
thinking.
What is the purpose of this effort?
The attackers say they fear military
domination of our country. They point
to the great size and power of our Mili-
tary Establishment and recent examples
of military takeovers in other countries.
But these takeovers are not at all
analogous to our own situation.
Historically and down to the present
there has been complete civilian control
of our Military Establishment. This is
as it should be. The heads of the De-
partment of Defense are appointed civil-
ians. The power of the purse, an abso-
lute prerequisite for domination of mili-
tary power, is In the hands of a civilian
Congress. Our form of government pro-
vides these and other effective checks and
balances to prevent military domination.
Rather than an imbalance favoring
the military over the civilian, we actually
have the reverse. Within the Depart-
ment of Defense, the Secretary has in-
creased the size and power of the Sec-
retary's Office. At the time Secretary
McNamara took office there were less
than 2,000 employees In the Office of the
Secretary of Defense. As of the first of
this year, there were over 34,000 em-
ployees responsible to the Secretary's
Office. This has been brought about by
increased centralization plus the growth
incident to an Increased absorption of
power.
Some of thisgroup have been referred
to as the whiz kids. They are civilians
who primarily rely upon the computer
rather than a balance of experienced
judgment. The technique of cost effec-
tiveness has been their trademark.
Contrary to popular opinion cost effec-
tiveness is not new. It hasbeen used for
years in the Department of Defense. In
the past, however, the experience and
judgment of the military has been more
properly weighted.
To the civilians in the Secretary of
Defense office today, cost effectiveness
is an end in itself rather than a tool
to use in only part of the decisionmaking
process.
Decisions relative to new weapon sys-
tems, strategy, and tactics require that
we utilize the firsthand knowledge of
men with practical experience. It re-
quires intuition and many other elements
of human judgment that cannot be
computerized. Computer decisions are
logically limited by the information that
is put into it. War, however, is an il-
logical act, and therefore, can never be
computerized.
We have seen weapons such as the
new aircraft carrier selected by the mis-
application of the cost effectiveness tech-
nique. Every responsible military man
decided in favor of a nuclear powered
carrier. The Secretary of Defense and
his whiz kids chose a conventional ver-
sion. Particularly disturbing is the fact
that the published testimony of the
Senate investigating committee clearly
showed that much of the basic data and
premises used in the cost effectiveness
study was manipulated in favor of the
conventional carrier.
We do not have a new bomber because
of a so-called cost effectiveness study.
Again, every responsible military mem-
ber of the Air Force has clearly stated
the need for such a weapon system. In
the case of the TFX aircraft cost effec-
tiveness studies again allegedly showed
one version as superior. Members of the
military and the defense industry over-
whelmingly opposed this decision. And
as of this date actual events seem to be
proving the error of computer decisions.
In addition to weapons selection, there
are other examples of Increased central-
ization and power in the Secretary's of-
fice. By controlling Intelligence and
public information, the Secretary can
control information going out to the
military, up to the President, to Congress,
and to the people. This power is dan-
gerous because it is much too easy to
exercise it for political reasons rather
than to serve the national security.
Thus, civilian power can regulate the
input Into the cost effectiveness tech-
nique to disregard military expertise. It
has produced decisions which have ac-
cepted stalemate as a policy at the ex-
pense of new and better weapons sys-
tems. And at the same time the chan-
nels of information have been manipu-
lated to foreclose the avenue for final
appeal to the true sovereigns-the Amer-
ican people. Far from being domination
by the military this is an imbalance of
civilian power in our Department of
Defense.
The effect of this imbalance is not
temporary. It will project into the fu-
ture and its danger will increase. Re-
member that the Department of Defense
is a branch of the executive department.
The increased power of civilians in the
Pentagon is multiplied many times by
the intimate relationship of civilian de-
fense officials with the White House, the
Department of State, and particularly
the Arms Control and Disarmament
Agency. All of these groups have been
more singleminded than ever before and
have organized themselves with common
purpose and direction to further empha-
size the power imbalance. Using the nor-
mal powers of the executive branch of
Government and increased use of the
Executive order and the technique of
news control, this power entente has
made giant strides toward objectives
which tend to downgrade sound military
thinking and expertise.
in the DOD there have been many
indications of the control of news. One
of the most outstanding is in the case of
the TFX. A policy memorandum was
issued which clearly stated that all news
releases would show the validity of the
Secretary of Defense's decision on this
program. Another and more important
example is the directive to all military
personnel that they report their con-
Approved For Release 2005/02/10 : CIA-RDP66B00403R000200160039-9