Veterans & Military Personnel

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Courtney Reintroduces Bipartisan Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act

January 15, 2019 Press Release

“Forty-three years after the end of the Vietnam War, our government is still failing to properly care for servicemembers who were exposed to the toxic chemical known as Agent Orange,” said Congressman Courtney. “The Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act is a long overdue reform to the way the Veterans Administration recognizes the claims of Agent Orange victims. This bill would not be possible without the tireless efforts of one of my constituents, Mr. Gerry Wright, who has singlehandedly crisscrossed the country to raise the alarm about untreated Agent Orange cases. It’s a commonsense bill which will remove one of the most frustrating and onerous barriers that has denied veterans critical assistance for decades. It’s time to correct an injustice, it’s time to pass this bill.”

Congressman Courtney Votes to Ensure Retroactive Pay for Federal Employees Working Through Shutdown

January 11, 2019 Press Release

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to ensure that federal workers who have been furloughed or who have worked without pay during the current partial government shutdown are compensated fairly and expeditiously. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (S.

Courtney-Backed Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Bill Introduced in 116th Congress

January 8, 2019 Press Release

“The Senate’s failure to pass this bill last year and finally right this wrong for our Vietnam-era veterans was one of the most disappointing aspects of the last session of Congress,” Courtney said. “While the House acted in a bipartisan and unanimous way to pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act in 2018, the objections of a small number of Senators blocked action that would have made this bill law. That this bill is being introduced in the first days of the 116th Congress demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensure that we do right by all our veterans exposed to agent orange, whether on land or on the sea.”

Ahead of Veterans Day, Courtney Announces American Legion Endorsement of Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act

November 9, 2018 Press Release

In advance of Veterans Day, Representative Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that the American Legion has endorsed the Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act (H.R. 6566), legislation he has introduced to remove onerous manifestation requirements from certain diseases, which the VA has linked to Agent Orange exposure.

Forces Network: Vietnam Vet Rides 10,000 Miles Across US In Agent Orange Campaign

August 16, 2018 In The News

A Vietnam veteran who says he was left sterilised by Agent Orange has ridden more 10,000 miles across the US on a motorcycle to rally support to change compensation rules.

Gerry Wright, 70, is one of thousands of former soldiers who sprayed the herbicide during the Vietnam War to kill dense vegetation that provided cover for Viet Cong troops.

Agent Orange has since been acknowledged as causing Parkinson's disease, leukemia, diabetes, prostate cancer and other devastating illnesses.

Norwich Bulletin: Courtney, state VA commissioner visit Norwich to meet with veteran leaders

August 6, 2018 In The News

Courtney hosted veterans representing several area organizations for a monthly veterans advisory board meeting at his district office in Norwich. In attendance at the meeting was the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Thomas J. Saadi, who addressed the group with updates from his department and responded to questions. Specifically, Courtney spoke about current issues that he said are important for Norwich area veterans, including declaring his strong opposition to a July 12 policy change from the Department of Defense that will prevent service members with greater than 16 years of service from transferring their Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to eligible family members. “To scale back this benefit, it’s really blindsiding to people,” Courtney said.

Journal Inquirer: Andover vet’s effort leads to House bill on Agent Orange

August 4, 2018 In The News

After a six-week cross-country motorcycle ride, Andover resident Gerry Wright has more than mileage to show for his effort.

Wright rode more than 10,000 miles throughout May and June to raise awareness of the diseases many veterans suffer from because of their exposure to Agent Orange during their service in the Vietnam War.

Courtney Leads Bipartisan Effort Opposing New Restrictions on Post-9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits

July 27, 2018 Press Release

(Washington, DC) - Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) sent a letter signed by 83 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives from both sides of the political aisle to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis strongly opposing a July 12 policy change from the Department of Defense (DOD) that would prevent service members with greater than 16 years of service from transferring their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to eligible family members. The letter was also signed by Representatives John B.

Courtney Statement on The Passing of Staff Sgt. Grotjan

July 14, 2018 Press Release

“The untimely passing of Air Force Staff Sgt. Grotjean, while deployed far from home protecting our nation, is a heart-breaking loss for his family, our state, and our entire nation. His critical work in the UAE as part of Operation Inherent Resolve to defend the civilized world deserves our deepest honor and respect. All of Connecticut mourns with his loved ones.”

Courtney Backs Legislation to Add Sailors Names to Vietnam Wall After Hearing from Local Veteran

July 9, 2018 Constituent Corner

On June 3, 1969, Bill Thibeault was asleep on the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans as it sailed between Vietnam and the Spratly Islands before being struck by a much larger Australian aircraft carrier. The accident resulted in the ship being split in half with the bow section sinking in less than 5 minutes. A total of 74 sailors were killed in the disaster that day. Sadly, nearly 5 decades later, the names of Bill's deceased shipmates have still not been added to the Vietnam War Memorial wall because the Evans was technically outside of the designated combat zone, about 80 miles off the coast of Vietnam, when it was struck.