[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E889-E890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NICK J. RAHALL, II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, as we remember those who sacrificed their 
lives for our Nation on this Memorial Day, let us remember that daily 
we reap the benefits of the bravery of America's veterans. They have 
been our liberties' steadfast defenders.
  Soon hundreds of thousands of World War II veterans will gather on 
the National Mall to help dedicate the newest Memorial commemorating 
their heroic service to our country and

[[Page E890]]

honoring their fellow soldiers who gave their lives defending our 
freedom. The WWII Memorial recognizes and celebrates the sacrifices and 
unfailing loyalty that veterans demonstrated for America.
  However, it has been more than sixty years since the United States 
joined the war efforts, yet the promises that our government initially 
made to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line in 
fighting in the Second World War are being endangered by the hacking 
away at the veterans' budget. They were promised health care. Most of 
all, they were guaranteed that their Nation would not turn a blind eye 
to their future needs. However, these promises have been dulled and 
slowed, and more and more of our World War II veterans are quietly 
slipping away, never to know what could have been if their government 
had fulfilled their promise.
  We still have time to correct this injustice and to take care of our 
World War II veterans before it is too late. Our Nation needs to move 
further in a direction that allows us to reward our veterans for their 
sacrifices they have made, wherever and whenever they made it. Our 
veterans and our soldiers today remain foremost in the thoughts and 
minds of Americans, and along with our devoted attention given to those 
who wear America's uniform. Without our veterans, there would be no 
America, and time and time again, our veterans put the life of their 
country before their own. It is time that their country finally rewards 
them for the unfailing dedication each has demonstrated throughout 
their lifetime.

                          ____________________