Davis thanks vets at biz conference
The Oak Ridger
By Beverly Majors
August 11, 2009

"I'm honored to be in the presence of so many veterans," U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., stated during his opening remarks to the 3rd Annual East Tennessee Veterans' Business Conference.

Held in the New Hope Center, the Y-12 National Security Complex and the University of Tennessee Procurement Technical Assistance Center co-sponsored the all-day event which was designed to increase contracting opportunities for veteran-owned businesses.

The conference provided information on the status of Veteran Small Business programs within the federal government, a forum regarding opportunities with the Department of Energy and major prime contractors, information about doing business with federal, local and state governments, and seminars focusing on developing a business plan and financing small businesses.

U.S. Rep. Davis talked about traveling, both as a private citizen and as a congressman. He joked that as a private citizen the only foreign country he ever traveled to was Mexico.

But, when as a congressman he traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan, the legislator stated that the "us" who liberated Iraq was really the veterans. He said he saw more than 6 million refugees in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, and described how he wept at the "sea of people" in an emotional moment.

"Why are we blessed?" he asked.

Because we have a democracy and a constitution, he said.

The congressman also talked briefly about recently elected U.S. President Barack Obama, also a Democrat, and said he is often asked what he thinks of him.

"Every other president I remember -- Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Nixon, I left out Ford but I didn't mean to, Clinton, Reagan, the Bushes -- not one ever made a decision that he thought would be harmful to this nation," he said.

Davis also talked about his visits to the beaches of Normandy and how he always looked for a Tennessee marker or cross.

"Then I see one that no one can identify," he said.

"When I fly over Arlington, I see the markers," Davis added.

"Our veterans gave their all," he continued. "All were willing. Some gave all and some gave parts."

Davis said the government has improved its funding measures for veterans, but it "needs to do more."

He said that in the past several years, the government has given 50 percent more funding for veterans' health care, built 145 clinics, added 70 veterans centers, and hired 700,000 employees to process claims.

"Life-saving protections should be assured for them," he said, commending the Oak Ridge conference sponsors.

The congressman also addressed issues currently before Congress including the energy bill and health care legislation.

"There are left wingers and right wingers who think they are right ... but both are generally wrong," he said. "My daddy always said to me, 'Well, figure it out, Lincoln,' and I use that principle on how I vote in Washington."

Davis talked about the energy bill and why he voted against it in its present form, using examples about what it costs "his neighbors" to drive back and forth to work and the cost of gasoline as compared to their income.

"I thought it was going in the wrong direction," he said of the bill.

As for health care, he said, "We have to have it whether we like it or not."

He said he is 65 and carries a Medicaid card and a Blue Cross/Blue Shield card, like many other people, stating that the government does not give him coverage like many people believe.

The congressman discussed the number of "baby boomers" who would soon be eligible for Medicaid and no money to pay for it, and the number of veterans getting benefits.

"Do we have a problem?" he asked. "You bet we do. Can we fix it? I don't know."

The congressman said several issues still needed to be addressed.

In closing, Davis said, "I appreciate you veterans and a grateful nation. We owe you the right to say we are so blessed; I will never forget that."