[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     MEMORIAL DAY AND HONORING THE SACRIFICE OF AMERICA'S VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, this Memorial Day we will once again mark a 
day of remembrance for those who have died while serving our Nation. 
Memorial Day is a single day of national awareness and reverence, 
honoring those Americans who died while defending our Nation and its 
values. While we should remember their sacrifice every day, a special 
honor is reserved for Memorial Day.
  More than a million American service members died in the wars and 
conflicts this Nation fought since the first colonial minutemen took up 
arms in 1775 to fight for independence. Each soldier who died during 
those many battles was a loved one cherished by family and friends. 
Each was a loss to the community and the Nation.
  While this Nation can never fully repay those who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice for their country, I believe the United States must 
continue to do more to honor our brave soldiers, veterans and our 
military families. Their sacrifices are the foundation of our Nation's 
freedom.
  During my years in Congress, I have consistently given high priority 
to the interests of our country's veterans. I feel strongly that 
protecting veterans' rights and benefits is the least we can do for 
those who have devoted years of their lives in service to our Nation. 
Only by providing the best possible resources and facilities and fully 
compensating veterans for disabilities, can we repay the dedication of 
service personnel who sacrificed for their country.
  One area in which adequate funding is absolutely necessary for 
veterans is health care. The lack of sufficient resources in our VA 
hospitals has reduced the ability of medical professionals to provide 
quality care. Our budget should be a reflection of our national 
priorities and yet this year the House Leadership cut veterans 
healthcare by $13.5 billion.
  It is critical that we fulfill our moral obligation to honor our 
Nation's veterans with the health, education and retirement benefits 
they have earned through their service. I have joined my colleagues in 
introducing a new GI bill, endorsed by the American Legion and the 
Disabled American Veterans, to improve benefits for men and women in 
uniform today and provide long overdue benefits for the veterans and 
military retirees who have already served. It will help members of the 
National Guard and Reserve, as their service in Iraq and Afghanistan 
has been above the call of duty, and will improve veterans' health care 
by increasing resources, bolstering mental health care for returning 
soldiers and blocking prescription drug co-payment increases.
  So, on this Memorial Day, let us never forget that we in this country 
owe a great debt of gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives so 
that we could live free. We can start to pay that debt by remembering 
what they did and what they stood for, and by promoting policies that 
honor their service and reflect the values of our grateful Nation.

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