[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H3230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING FORMER SENATOR LLOYD BENTSEN AND OUR VETERANS

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, first, I would like to take 
just a moment to acknowledge the passing of Senator Lloyd Bentsen, the 
former vice presidential candidate and as well, the former Secretary of 
the Treasury and a dear beloved friend of this institution. To his wife 
and his family, I offer my deepest reflection of his leadership, his 
service to this country as a World War II veteran. We will always 
remember him and for a moment I will be silent in his honor.
  On another matter in keeping with the spirit of acknowledging our 
veterans, I rise today to express enormous concern as we honor those 
fallen in battle. Yet we must remember those who are here, injured, 
harmed, traumatized by wars like Vietnam, Iraq, and others. It is 
shameful that we have found that in this body we have depleted the 
TRICARE system and, for one, we have forgotten the military families 
and we are constantly taking moneys away from the veterans hospital and 
veterans' health care. And I guess the ultimate concern as I go home to 
interact with my community and my veterans is the stealing of records 
of our veterans. The identity theft that has put them in such jeopardy.
  My office will be open to any veteran who has a concern, and we will 
be standing with the families to protect their identity, and that 
identity theft against our Nation's veterans will be investigated. 
Shame. Shame. Shame. In their time of honor we owe the loved ones of 
the fallen soldiers our debt of gratitude; and we owe our veterans and 
their families our continued support.

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