As Americans do every November, we again pause to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our veterans. This year, we especially remember the sailors of the U.S.S. Cole. Our hearts are with the families of the men and women whose lives were lost in Yemen.
Veterans are indeed worthy of a formal tribute from a grateful nation.
Special consideration, too, is owed to those veterans who are sick or disabled from their war injuries. There is no better expression of our esteem than remembering to visit them at home or in our hospitals. It is appropriate to note that Congress has taken important steps this session to help veterans. We increased the budget of the Department of Veterans' Affairs so we could improve health care for veterans and expand educational opportunities for them. The Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act of 2000 expands long-term care for veterans and mandates the federal government to pay for emergency services for those veterans who are uninsured.