Date: 2013-10-03
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak on H.J. Res. 72. the "Honoring Our Promise to Veterans Act." I have unwavering support for our nations veterans and Houston is home for tens of thousands of veterans. I hold our men and women of the armed services in the highest regard. I have fought for them to receive pay raises. affordable and safe housing. family support services. and the best possible medical care. My support of veterans has been consistent and strong over the time I have served in the House of Representatives. I know firsthand how painful it is for Veterans to seek assistance for medical careespecially PTSD or Traumatic Brain injuries. So I have made it a central part of my public service to make sure they know how much they are loved and appreciated. In the 106th Congress I introduced House Joint Resolution 98. which was signed into law by President Clinton. This resolution honored the debt paid for our nations freedom by minority veterans who fought during World War II. If this Congress truly wishes to recognize the sacrifice and bravery of our veterans it will end this shutdown and reopen our government now. The current shutdown has slowed the rate at which the government can process veterans disability claims and. as the VA has stated. it is negatively impacting other services to our nations veterans. It is extremely personal and painful to me to see the majority in this body use Veterans as a political football to try to score political points. Veterans deserve our honor and respect and regard for the service they have given to this countrywhich was given not for pay. but out of patriotism and love of country. Today. I am ashamed of this body for treating Veterans as if they can be bribed to turn their backs on this nation and the pain of fellow Americans are suffering under the pressure of an unnecessary Federal government shutdown. The majority of the House of Representatives are showing such disrespect to Veterans by attempting to bribe them into leaving their fellow Americans behind by offering financial relief to them while other Americans remain in financial harms way. When Veterans served in uniform they fought for this nation under one flag without regard for political party or region of the nation. As the member from the 18th Congressional District of Houston Texas I have fought hard to protect the honor and the rights of our great veterans. This Congress in years past have spoken highly of our nations veterans because without their sacrifice we would not be in a free nation. In the 18th Congressional District of Texas there are more than 50.000 veterans and they are almost ten percent of this districts civilian population over the age of 18. I cannot forget our nations veterans. They are my friends people I admire and feel privileged to serve in the House of Representatives. My service to them in part is motivated by the selflessness these men and women have shown and their courage when facing long and difficult recoveries from injuries incurred while serving. Our veterans are extraordinary citizens who have changed the course of our lives in ways that we may not even realize. I hope we will always keep this thought in mind. The most important lessons that our Veterans can teach us is not to be divided against each other because we will surely fall as a nation. When the House of Representatives openly pits one group of Americans against another they dishonor our veterans and their sacrifice. I would like to close my remarks with citing the words of two great American Veterans who served our nation on the field of battle and as members of the Congress: Congressman JOHN DINGELL and Senator Bob Dole. They said: As two proud World War II veterans blessed also to serve this great nation in Congress. we consider our bipartisan work together in helping to create a National World War II Memorial to be among our greatest accomplishments and a true honor to our brothersinarms. If this Congress truly wishes to recognize the sacrifice and bravery of our World War II veterans and all whove come after. it will end this shutdown and reopen our government now. The current shutdown has slowed the rate at which the government can process veterans disability claims and. as the VA has stated. it is negatively impacting other services to our nations veterans. Piecemeal or partial spending plans do not adequately ensure that our veteransand indeed all Americanshave access to the system of selfgovernment established to serve and protect them.