Congressman Charles Rangel today expressed his outrage over a Pentagon policy that requires soldiers discharged from the military due to injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan to return portions of their enlistment bonuses.

"To penalize soldiers by snatching away benefits promised when they signed up, after they sacrificed their bodies in service to our country, is the most cruel and inhumane practice I've seen in this war which has already been judged by the American people as unjust and illegal," Congressman Rangel said.

"It is heartbreaking, and words cannot express my outrage when these brave men and women, who are the only ones sharing in the sacrifice of these wars, are being told to 'give us the money back because you can't fight anymore,'" Congressman Rangel said.

The Congressman's statements followed revelations that, under a Pentagon policy, soldiers wounded so seriously that they must be discharged from the military are required to give back the prorated balance of their signing bonuses for the uncompleted portion of their enlistments. It is unclear how many members of the military have been affected by the policy.

"The terrible irony of this policy is that the Army especially enticed these men and women to sign up with cash bonuses in the five figures in order to meet recruiting quotas that otherwise were not being met," Congressman Rangel said. "This is not just backing away from a contract, it's saying we care about you as long as you're fit enough to stand in harm's way."

Congressman Rangel, the author of legislation to reinstate the military draft, said he was protesting the policy of retracting enlistment bonuses with officials at the Pentagon and is backing legislation prohibiting the practice.

"I introduced my bill to reinstate the draft, not because I support the war in Iraq, but to ensure that all Americans of military age would be required to share the sacrifice of the war. This outrageous policy shows just how vulnerable are those poor and middle class young people who need the cash bonuses and education benefits promised when they enlist.

"No policy could make me less proud of this government. These are heroes who have already shed their blood for this country. They should not be made victims of the additional injury of broken promises," Congressman Rangel said.

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Introduces Resolution that Recognizes Military Valor, Achievements of Latinos in American Wars, Conficts.

Days after the country celebrated Veterans Day, Congressman Charles B. Rangel is asking his fellow Congressional leaders to remember the contributions that Latinos have made in securing freedom at home and abroad all year around.

"It's not just on Veterans Day or during Hispanic Heritage Month that we should be thankful for the sacrifice of these soldiers," said Congressman Rangel. "Every day that we wake up to the sights & sounds of a free land is a day that we should be honoring our military veterans."

Congressman Rangel introduced The Hispanic American Heroes Resolution (H. CON. RES. 253) on November 9 as a way for Congress to recognize "the service, courage, and patriotism of Hispanic Americans who have served and continue to serve as members of the United States Armed Forces." Twelve of his colleagues joined him as original co-sponsors, including fellow New Yorkers Rep. Jose Serrano and Nydia Velasquez, as well as Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joe Baca.

Currently 1.3 million Hispanic veterans live in the United States, with more than 30,000 Latinos on active duty and in the reserves. More than 400 Latinos have died in recent military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We don't need to go much further than our own neighborhoods to see the sacrifices that Latinos, some of whom don't even citizenship, have made to this country," said Rangel. "In my Congressional District, men like Sgt. Riayan Tejada, Army Specialist Sergio Antonio Mercedes Saez, Army Specialist Jose L. Ruiz and most recently, Cpl. Juan Alcantara serve as constant reminders of the ultimate sacrifice that some in the community have made for both their families and this nation."

As the resolution points out, Hispanic contributions go as far back as the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. In the 20th century, Latinos played an important role in World War II with between 400,000 and 500, 000 young men and women participating and 13 men earning Congressional Medals of Honor. In the Korean War, the all-Hispanic Puerto Rican 65th Infantry earned 4 Distinguished Service Crosses, 124 Silver Stars and is credited with the last recorded battalion-sized bayonet assault in the history of the United States Army.

When they came home, many Latinos joined African Americans and other progressives in fighting racial and ethnic prejudice and the second-class treatment of Spanish-speaking people. Many enrolled in college with the G.I. Bill, becoming leaders in a variety of fields, including law, business and social justice.

"It is a shame that despite their heroic service during and after war, the contributions of these Americans go largely unnoticed in the history books," said Congressman Rangel. "Ensuring that their efforts are not forgotten reminds us of how much we all share in common and moves us one step closer to the great country that we all hope that we can be."

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IRS Seeks to Return $110 Million in Unclaimed Refund Checks.

Congressman Charles B. Rangel urged New Yorkers, especially those in his Congressional District, to find out if they may be on of the thousands of Americans that are still owed refund checks by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

According to recent IRS news release, nearly $110 million in tax refund checks remain unclaimed.

“Last year Americans paid roughly $2.4 trillion in taxes, a whopping sum that funds a whole host of essential services from children’s health care to equipment for our troops in combat,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel. “At the same time, taxpayers who have overpaid deserve to get their money back. I applaud the IRS for alerting taxpayers of these unclaimed refunds and making the process for claiming them as easy as possible."

The IRS reports that at least 115,478 taxpayers still have not received their refund  because their checks were returned as undeliverable. The funds can be claimed as soon as taxpayers update their address with the agency.

To learn if you have an unclaimed refund, constituents can call 1-800-829-1954 or visit the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html.

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