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WASHINGTON, May 26, 2005 -- As we celebrate Memorial Day 2005 I believe the thoughts and prayers of all Americans should be with the families of the brave men and woman who are serving their county and most especially those who have given their lives in service to this great nation. We honor the service of those stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and pray that they will safely return to their families. Throughout the history of our great country we have undertaken the charge of preserving, protecting and defending democracy and the unparalleled democratic ideal. I am a proud veteran of the Korean War and I stand firmly committed to fully funding veterans' health care and meeting our moral obligation to the rapidly growing number of veterans. It is unconscionable that Republicans have continually attempted to shortchange our veterans.
The U.S. government must fulfill the moral obligation to those who have fought for freedom and democracy. To that end, the House Democrats have introduced the” New GI Bill for the 21st Century” H.R. 2131. This is a comprehensive package of benefits designed to honor the contributions of who have served America in the Armed Forces. It :
1. Makes Health Care Accessible and Affordable for Our Veterans
2. Provides the Benefits Our Veterans Deserve
3. Honors the Families those who made the Ultimate Sacrifice for our Country
4. Strengthens Our support for Our Men and Woman in Uniform
5. Honors Our Debt to Our Servicemen and Woman
6. Improves Health and Education Benefits for Our National Guard/Reservists
House Democrats believe that we must improve benefits for our men and woman in uniform today and provide long overdue benefits for the veterans who have previously served. Our mission is to support our troops and provide for the families here at home. One of the most important aspects of the “New GI Bill for the 21st Century,” is that special provisions have been provided for the National Guard and Reserve; as the scope of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan as risen to unprecedented levels efforts must be made to secure their benefits. The new GI Bill will end the disabled veterans’ tax. The disabled veteran's tax unfairly forces military retirees with service-connected disabilities to give up one dollar of their pension for every dollar of disability pay they receive. House Democrats have launched an effort to end this injustice.
Democratic Members are very concerned about veterans’ health care. Democrats have long supported better health care for veterans. We recognize the crisis in veterans’ health care when 50,000 veterans must wait more than six months for a medical appointment. House Democrats led by Rep. Gene Taylor have fought hard to provide full access to TRICARE. TRICARE is the military health program which Democrats believe should be available to all members of the Guard, Reserve and their families for a low fee. House Republicans employed a rarely used authority to delete a bipartisan amendment to expand TRICARE to all reservists-even though a majority of the committee members voted for it. It is tragic that elected officials would shortchange veterans in a time of war. Democrats are offering an amendment on the “Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs” bill which will provide an additional $3.2 billion for veterans’ health care this year, over what the President has proposed. The President’s budget cut veterans’ health care programs by $15.6 billion over the next five years which would be below the level necessary to maintain current services. With more that 85,000 servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan additional money will be needed to meet the demand. Let me assure you that Democrats in the House will continue to fight to provide adequate funding for veterans. The $3.2 billion increase that House Democrats support is the minimum level supported by the national veterans' organizations, including the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans' of Foreign Wars.
In World War II America honored the Greatest Generation through a Bill of Rights, we must continue what our forefathers in Congress instituted in 1944 when they enacted the original GI Bill of Rights. We must support the men and woman who wear the uniform today by enacting a new GI Bill of Rights. I believe we must fulfill our commitment and pledge that when our servicemembers return home, we will leave no veteran behind. We must honor their service and empower them with a New GI Bill of Rights.
I urge you on Monday, May 30th Memorial Day to celebrate, honor and remember those who have served our country. Our brave men and woman have stood strong and brave for democracy. Not only is it a time to honor those who have fallen in service to the nation, it is a time to recognize both those who have worn the uniform and those currently serving. We must remember these courageous, faithful men and woman by enacting the new GI Bill of Rights, end unfair taxes on military families and disabled military retirees and greatly improve veterans' health care. It is not only right, it is our moral obligation. We must demonstrate that we are indeed a grateful nation.
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