April 25, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Larry Craig today praised cartoonist Garry Trudeau for recently highlighting the Wounded Warrior traumatic injury protection benefit in Trudeau's nationally syndicated Doonesbury cartoon strip.

Craig, who serves as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, authored the legislation last year which created a financial program to help traumatically injured servicemembers.

With the assistance of his congressional colleagues and the backing of President Bush, the legislation became effective December 1, 2005. Since that time over 1,800 real-life servicemen and women have been aided by the legislation which provides anywhere from $25,000 to $100,000 for serious injuries.

"I am pleased that our servicemembers are benefitting from the legislation. But on a personal level though, I have to say it's neat to see that legislation now become a part of the pop culture of America by being included in the storyline of the Doonesbury comic strip," Craig said.

In the cartoon strip, the character B.D. is portrayed as a National Guardsman who lost a leg as the result of a rocket-propelled grenade attack. As a result of that injury, the plot has recently dwelt on B.D.'s struggles as he deals with receiving $80,000 from the traumatic injury fund for the loss of his limb.  [Links to relevant cartoon strips: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8.]   

In real life, 1,807 servicemembers have received over $118 million so far, with the "average" recipient receiving just over $65,000. Payments range from $25,000 for the loss of hearing in one ear to $100,000 for more serious injuries, such as paraplegia.

The legislation covers traumatic injuries military personnel experienced in the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan ? from October 7, 2001 through November 30, 2005. After December 1, 2005, the legislation covers all traumatic injuries, whether incurred on the battlefield or not, for those carrying Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.

"While we are saddened for person who gets hurt in the service of the nation, we are happy to provide this money to them as they and their families deal with the underlying costs incurred in dealing with serious injuries," said Craig.

The number of servicemembers applying for the benefit has recently dropped lower than federal officials had anticipated.

"We hope that the numbers are lower because fewer soldiers, sailors, Marines and Coast Guard personnel are being injured," Craig said.  "But whether that is the case or not, hopefully the Doonesbury strip will remind those that have been seriously hurt that financial assistance is now available."

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