Veteran's Widow Asks: Why Would Congress Force Veterans to Reveal Social Security Numbers?

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the nation heads into the Memorial Day Weekend honoring our country's military and veterans who served their country, the Asbestos Cancer Victims Rights Campaign issued the following statement on the House Judiciary Committee passage of H.R. 982:

"I am outraged that the U.S. House Judiciary Committee is sending a bill to the floor that invades the privacy of so many veterans by revealing the last digits of their social security numbers and exposing them to great potential harm. My husband served his country proudly on the U.S.S. Ware destroyer and as a result was exposed to asbestos and died of it. So many of our nation's military families were victimized by this toxin, and now a majority of the House Judiciary Committee  is asking all members of Congress to further victimize the sick and dying now and in the future by invading their privacy. Why don't all the Members of Congress reveal their Social Security numbers as well?" Mrs. Van Ness asked.

A lifelong Republican, Van Ness said she wanted to thank those committee members who opposed the bill and protected victims' privacy. She emphasized that this is not a political issue, it is a victims' rights and fairness issue.

"I want to commend Rep. Ted Poe, Republican of Texas, and all the Committee Democrats who voted against this bill allowing the last digits of social security numbers to be made public. On behalf of all current and past military families whose loved ones served honorably in the United States military, I call on the U.S. Congress to respect the rights of these victims and make sure they are not victimized twice by this bill," Mrs. Van Ness said.  

Mrs. Van Ness was referring to passage of the Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency Act, H.R. 982, by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The bill now heads to the House floor for a vote by the full Congress sometime after Memorial Day. Follow us on Twitter @CVRCampaign.

Contact:  Joy Howell, 202-302-5932

SOURCE Asbestos Cancer Victims Rights Campaign