[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       AMERICAN VETERANS DISABLED FOR LIFE COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON KLEIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2007

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
634, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act. 
This bipartisan legislation commemorates those veterans who have 
sacrificed so much to secure our freedom by requiring the Secretary of 
the Treasury to mint coins in their honor.
  The funding generated from the sale of these coins will be used to 
help build a memorial to disabled veterans on the grounds surrounding 
the U.S. Capitol. This memorial, which will sit within full view of the 
Capitol, will serve to remind us of those young men and women who put 
their lives on the line each day in defense of this great Nation.
  Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Walter Reed to meet 
some of the brave men and women that we seek to honor here today. I 
will never forget the faces of those warriors who proved that they 
would stop at nothing to fulfill the mission that this Nation has laid 
before them.
  Our military veterans have served honorably around the world, in many 
of the most hostile and dangerous conditions known to man. Whether it 
is in the fields of Europe, the jungles of Southeast Asia, or the 
deserts of the Middle East, the selfless actions of these men and women 
helps to preserve the liberty that we hold so dear.
  These soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who voluntarily heeded 
the call to serve our Nation in combat, truly embody all that is great 
within our society. They have shown courage and valor, consistently 
performing with distinction on foreign battlefields. These honorable 
Americans have given us all that they have to offer. It is now time for 
us to show them how much we appreciate their great sacrifice.

                          ____________________