O’Callaghan named to panel examining veterans benefits

Suzanne Struglinski

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004 | 9:57 a.m.

WASHINGTON --- Former Nevada Gov. Mike O'Callaghan has been named to a newly created federal commission tasked with examining federal benefits to disabled veterans and families of military personnel killed during their service.

The 13-member Veterans Disability Benefits Commission, created in the Defense Authorization bill signed by President Bush in November, will study benefit levels and the standards. Members will compare the federal benefits to other government agencies, state governments and private companies, according to the law.

O'Callaghan, executive editor of the Sun, said there are 300,000 veterans in Nevada alone.

The appointment is "another opportunity for me to provide a public service," O'Callaghan said. "It is of interest to them and of interest to me."

He said the panel is designed as a "working commission," and will most likely conduct many hearings to help create a "level playing field" for veterans.

Congress created the panel as part of a compromise reached with Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in October. Reid wanted full "concurrent receipt" benefits for disabled veterans, but lawmakers would only agree to only partially change federal law that requires disabled veterans to have their retirement check reduced by the amount of their disability payment.

Through the compromise, veterans with 20 years or more of service and a 50 percent disability rate are allowed to receive both retirement and disability benefits through a phase-in program ending in 2014. The commission will study the situation over 15 months.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., announced O'Callaghan's appointment Wednesday. He also named Rick Surratt, deputy national legislative director of the Disabled American Veterans to the panel, according to his office.

The House and Senate leaders will each name two members and the presidents appoints the remaining five.

At least one of each of the congressional appointments and three of the president's must have the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, or Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross.

O'Callaghan served in the Marine Corps, as an intelligence operator in the Air Force, and in the Army. He was in the Army infantry during the Korean War, where he lost a leg. He has been awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star. He was governor of Nevada from 1971 to 1978.