[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 1, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE DEDICATION OF THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2004

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the dedication of 
the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall on Saturday, 
May 29, 2004.
  Dedicated almost 60 years after the end of World War II, this 
stunning memorial honors all military veterans of the war, citizens on 
the home front, the nation at large and the high moral purpose and 
idealism that motivated the nation's call to arms.
  We must never forget the 16 million troops who served in the armed 
forces during World War II and the more than 400,000 who made the 
ultimate sacrifice. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, 
I know the importance of the troops' sacrifice to protect our freedom.
  I am especially pleased to welcome over 200 Long Island veterans to 
Washington, DC for the dedication. Serving those who have served our 
country has been one of my greatest honors as a Member of Congress. I 
am proud to have secured over $1.16 million in retroactive benefits for 
veterans in my district.
  On this historic occasion, we must remember to honor our troops and 
veterans not only with memorials and red poppy lapel pins, but also in 
our policies and budgets. Restoring cuts to veteran's services and 
making VA spending mandatory, not discretionary should be a top 
priority. We in Congress have a duty to make America a fit country for 
these heroes to live in.
  This memorial is a long-overdue tribute to the ``Greatest 
Generation.'' They risked and gave their lives to protect our freedom, 
and we must ensure our debt to them is repaid.

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