[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11883-H11885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING GREATER SUPPORT FOR VETERANS DAY EACH YEAR

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 237) supporting and encouraging greater support for 
Veterans Day each year.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 237

       Whereas veterans of service in the United States Armed 
     Forces have served the Nation with honor and at great 
     personal sacrifice;
       Whereas the American people owe the security of the Nation 
     to those who have defended it;
       Whereas on Memorial Day each year, the Nation honors those 
     who lost their lives in service to the Nation;
       Whereas on Veterans Day each year, the Nation honors those 
     who have defended democracy by serving in the Armed Forces;
       Whereas the observance of Memorial Day and Veterans Day is 
     an expression of faith in democracy, faith in American 
     values, and faith that those who fight for freedom will 
     defeat those whose cause is unjust;
       Whereas section 116(a) of title 36, United States Code, 
     provides that ``The last Monday in May is Memorial Day'' and 
     section 116(b) of that title requests the President to issue 
     a proclamation each year calling on the people of the United 
     States to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their 
     individual religious faith, for permanent peace, designating 
     a period of time on Memorial Day during which the people may 
     unite in prayer for a permanent peace, calling on the people 
     of the United States to unite in prayer at that time, and 
     calling on the media to join in observing Memorial Day and 
     the period of prayer;
       Whereas section 4 of the National Moment of Remembrance Act 
     (Public Law 106-579) provides, ``The minute beginning at 3:00 
     p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day each year is designated as 
     the `National Moment of Remembrance' ''; and
       Whereas Section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code, 
     provides that ``Memorial Day, the last Monday in May'' and 
     ``Veteran's Day, November 11'' are legal public holidays: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) encourages Americans to demonstrate their support for 
     veterans on Veterans Day each year by treating that day as a 
     special day of reflection;
       (2) encourages schools and teachers to educate students on 
     the great contributions veterans have made to the country and 
     its history, both while serving as members of the United 
     States Armed Forces and after completing their service; and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation each 
     year in connection with the observance of Veterans Day 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe that 
     day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I would yield for as much time as he may 
consume to the author of this legislation, an Army veteran of the 
Vietnam era, the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 237.
  I want to thank Representative Filner for his commitment to this 
resolution in support of our veterans. And I say ``the support of our 
veterans.'' As a veteran myself who served in both the 101st and 82nd 
Airborne Division, I am proud to stand with our brave men and women.
  Today, there are over 23 million veterans living in the United 
States; 165,000 in Iraq and Afghanistan. In my district, we have over 
32,000 veterans. There are also many veterans who serve in Congress, 
and I want to thank those Members who have served this country. And I 
salute each and every one of the Members who have served our country.
  To my fellow veterans, I commend you for your service. When our 
troops commit to serve our country, they make a promise to serve and to 
protect this country.
  We also have a moral responsibility to protect the returning veterans 
and their families. Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan must 
receive the best treatment. Sadly, for the last few years, I don't 
believe that our government has held its end of the bargain. The 
conditions at Walter Reed show us that in many cases our veterans are 
not receiving the care they deserve. This resolution reminds us that 
Veterans Day is not just a day off from school or work. This is a 
special day of reflection to honor those who have defended our country.
  I visited Israel a few years ago. There I learned how truly they 
respect and honor veterans in that country. Israel calls for 1 minute 
of silence across the whole country. The country's emergency siren goes 
off at 10 a.m., and all TV and radio stations are also interrupted and 
programs sounding the alert. Everyone then stops whatever they are 
doing, working, driving, anything else, and stands in silence for those 
heroes who have served their country. That's paying respect.
  My resolution also encourages schools to educate our young people 
about the contributions of our veterans to this country because they 
ultimately have made the sacrifice for the freedoms that they have to 
be in school and to be all that they want to be.
  This year, as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I have 
worked closely with Hispanic veterans and the Medal of Honor veteran 
winners from World War II until today. The stories of courage and 
sacrifices I've heard from them were nothing short of amazing. They 
deserve to be recognized and thanked, as well as every veteran who has 
served our country.
  I also believe a special thanks is necessary to the veterans and 
military families that are left behind. Too often we forget about the 
families and veterans who are left behind. They have sacrificed so much 
for their loved ones and for America, for America that we stand up 
with, America that we have always been with. You are the support system 
and the backbone for all of these veterans.
  On November 11, on Veterans Day, do not forget those who are the true 
heroes of this country. Reflect on the true meaning of Veterans Day, 
and remember the sacrifices made by so many proud American sons and 
daughters that we will honor on that day.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Veterans Day is 
about our heroes.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure in urging my colleagues to support 
House Resolution 237, urging all of America to make a special effort to 
honor America's veterans on November 11, introduced by a veteran of the 
Vietnam War, the Honorable Joe Baca.
  This resolution reminds each of us of the debt we owe to those whose 
sacrifices have made America the beacon of freedom throughout the 
world. America's holidays remind us of important events and persons in 
our Nation's history. It is significant that veterans are honored with 
two holidays that recognize the important role of those who wear the 
uniform.

                              {time}  1400

  Veterans have assaulted heavily defended beaches, jumped from 
aircraft under heavy fire, shivered in frozen foxholes, slogged through 
malaria-ridden jungles, and endured horrible abuses as prisoners of 
war. Veterans have survived incredible hardships, they have suffered 
wounds, and far too many have paid the ultimate price of freedom. They 
have often experienced long separations from families, and they serve 
in the outposts of freedom while their fellow citizens enjoy the fruits 
of everyday life in America. Each of them, from the Army or Marine 
infantrymen on patrol, to the sailor deep in the bowels of an aircraft 
carrier, to the airmen miles above the ground sets an example for the 
rest of us.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to recall how Veterans Day came 
to be. In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in 
Arlington

[[Page H11884]]

National Cemetery. This site on a hillside overlooking the Potomac 
River and the City of Washington became the focal point of reverence 
for America's veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England 
and France where an unknown soldier was buried in each of the nation's 
highest place of honor, in England West Minster Abby, in France the Arc 
de Triomphe.
  These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving 
universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting 
at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 
11th month. The day became known as Armistice Day. The first 
celebration using the term ``Veterans Day'' occurred in Birmingham, 
Alabama, in 1947.
  Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized National Veterans 
Day, which included a parade and other festivities to honor all 
veterans. The event was held on November 11, then designated Armistice 
Day. Later, U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill 
that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress 
passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 
11 as Veterans Day. Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens 
Medal from President Reagan in November 1982. Weeks' local parade and 
ceremonies are now an annual event celebrated nationwide.
  Mr. Speaker, I again suggest this most fitting of resolutions is 
worthy of unanimous support for my colleagues. As Mr. Filner said in 
the previous bill, we need to go further.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no better way to honor our veterans on Veterans 
Day than to ensure funding for their medical care and other benefits. 
That is why I call on my friends on the other side of the aisle to 
appoint conferees for the Military Construction and VA appropriations 
bill.
  We are almost a month into the new fiscal year and there is no 
practical reason that this bill cannot pass and become law. It won't be 
long before this apparent political ploy will begin to affect the care 
our Nation's warriors receive. Let's appoint conferees and ensure that 
the VA can continue to give our veterans the excellent care that they 
deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I would yield such time as he may consume to 
our Vietnam aviator, Mr. Boswell of Iowa.
  Mr. BOSWELL. Thank you, Chairman Filner, and all of you who have 
worked on veterans events this day and these last several months. We 
appreciate it very much.
  Mr. Speaker, as veterans we know the sacrifice that our 
servicemembers pay each day. Whether currently deployed in Iraq, 
Afghanistan, Korea, or wherever they might be around the world, serving 
on active duty or serving in the Army Reserves or on the National 
Guard, our men and women in uniform sacrifice for our freedom.
  Oftentimes when we speak of our key military assets we are referring 
to the carriers and the stealth bombers and the tanks or the fighter 
planes. Well, while those are all impressive, none are more impressive 
than our brave men and women in uniform. I think, in fact, I know, they 
are our greatest military asset. The men and women who serve our Nation 
are the best educated, trained and equipped fighting force in the 
world. Because of this, I am proud to stand with my colleague (Mr. 
Baca) and all the rest of you to encourage communities and schools 
around the country to recognize the contributions veterans have made to 
our country and to our history.
  It is often said, but we will say it again, a grateful Nation will 
always remember those who sacrifice so much in preserving our freedom. 
If we are to continue to have the very best of our Nation serve, we 
must continue to give them assurances that their service will not be 
forgotten. By granting all veterans who served before them the 
recognition, care and respect promised, tomorrow's veterans will have 
the reassurance in knowing their future needs will be addressed.
  I am very proud to stand here to cosponsor this bill today and 
encourage the House to pass H. Res. 237. Honor Veterans Day. It's 
something we have a privilege to do.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of the resolution offered by Representative Baca of California. 
I applaud him for bringing this resolution to the floor today and I am 
very proud to support his efforts.
  With a district with so many veterans, I can honestly stand here 
today and tell you that Veterans Day in my district is on par with the 
love of God, mom and apple pie. Almost every town and municipality in 
the eight counties that make up my congressional district goes out of 
their way to hold a public event celebrating the accomplishments of our 
Nation's veterans.
  Traveling around my district, I have met literally thousands of men 
and some women who recount their stories of military service with pride 
and with joy. They tell of the bravery of their comrades, of the 
sacrifices to protect the innocent and the weak and the memories of 
those killed in action.
  The resolution before us, House Resolution 237, is a good sense of 
the House that encourages the celebration of Veterans Day. Veterans Day 
is not just another day to go to the mall or look for Veterans Day 
sales but, rather, to honor those who have served our country.
  These brave soldiers fought for our freedoms and the liberties of our 
Nation around the world, including France, England, Poland, Vietnam, 
Korea, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. The actions of the American 
military throughout the history of our Nation have helped advance the 
cause of freedom around the globe and protect citizens from attack from 
foreign powers, and today from attacks from terrorists.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage every American to adopt the spirit of this 
resolution in celebrating Veterans Day and show our veterans how much 
we appreciate their sacrifice and the time served. May God bless our 
soldiers and our veterans.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, I encourage everyone, 
certainly we are all anxiously awaiting to get to vote ``yes'' on this 
very, very important resolution. I want to thank Mr. Baca for bringing 
this to our attention and doing the work that it took to get it on the 
floor. A special thanks to Chairman Filner, Mr. Buyer, again, for 
working together and getting all of the bills that we have done today 
on the floor. I think it represents a tremendous amount of work. As 
always, I want to thank the staffs on both sides who worked so hard in 
preparing these things and actually getting it to fruition.
  So with that, again, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 237.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Blumenauer). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, this is an important resolution, and we have 
heard the many reasons why, and I thank Mr. Baca for bringing this 
resolution to the floor. But after we give our speeches on Veterans 
Day, after we have given all the tributes, let's come back and do some 
real work that we have to do to really honor our veterans.
  I agree with the gentleman from Arkansas. Let's pass that 
appropriations bill. If you add the money that is in the appropriations 
bill for 2008 with the continuing resolution we did earlier this year 
and the supplemental resolution we did earlier, we have added more than 
$13 billion for the health care of our veterans for this year over last 
year. That is a 30 percent increase. That is unprecedented in the 
history of the VA and will put in place all the programs that many of 
us want and know that they are needed, deserved and earned.
  But let's go further than that. Let's pass together a GI Bill for the 
21st century, a bill that not only increases the benefits to a 
realistic fashion for education and home loans, but brings in

[[Page H11885]]

the Guard and Reserve units to be eligible for the GI Bill's benefits. 
They are doing half the fighting in Iraq and yet do not have full 
benefits when they return home. So let us include the Guard and 
Reserve.
  Let us include an absolute right to mental health treatment. We 
cannot neglect mental health, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), 
and other mental conditions. While we can deal with the visible wounds 
a lot easier, we cannot forget the invisible ones.
  Let us work together to end that atrocious claims backlog. Over 
600,000 claims for disability compensation are pending at the VA. 
People have died while waiting for their claim to be adjudicated. 
Others have lost their home because they didn't have the income. We can 
cut through that bureaucracy, not just add, as the budget has, 1,000 
more people, but really look at a whole new way, a nonadversarial way 
of dealing with the claims for disability. We can do that.
  For too many people, VA means ``veterans adversary.'' VA should mean 
``veterans advocate''. We can do that. Let us make sure that every 
young man and woman that comes back from Iraq and Afghanistan is 
diagnosed for both traumatic brain injury and PTSD, post traumatic 
stress disorder. We are going to let tens of thousands of young men and 
women out of the service without adequately understanding these wounds, 
some of whose symptoms are invisible for some time. They are ticking 
time bombs that, coming back to society, will create enormous problems 
for our social structure. So let's diagnose it. Let's treat it early. 
Let's bring the family in. Let's make sure that we have treated the 
mental illness that is so prominent in a war like this that we are 
unfortunately pursuing.
  Let us end homelessness for our veterans in America. We can do this. 
This is not rocket science. We know what it takes. We have all, as I 
said earlier, been to Stand-Downs. We know how to bring the community 
together to give homeless veterans the support they need to 
reintegrate. And I tell you, we are already seeing the problems that we 
saw in Vietnam. We have suicide rates of our current vets that are the 
highest rates since Vietnam. We have homeless Iraqi vets on the street. 
So let us not make the same mistake again that we did in Vietnam, but 
let us remember we have both new veterans and older veterans. We have 
to serve both. This Nation can do it, we should do it, and working 
together, we will do it.
  Each year on Veterans Day, Americans come together to honor our 
Nation's heroes: the 25 million veterans that have served our country.
  House Resolution 237 encourages Americans to demonstrate their 
support for veterans. It is important to let these heroes know that 
this grateful Nation honors their service to our country.
  On this 88th Veterans Day, I urge all Americans to take the time to 
show appreciation to those who have answered the call to duty.
  Although, we can never adequately thank them for their service and 
sacrifice to our Nation, today, on Veterans Day and everyday, we can 
humbly salute our brave veterans and soldiers.
  Our nation has a proud legacy of supporting the men and women who 
have worn the uniform in defense of this country.
  As a nation, we have a sacred pact with all those who served in 
uniform and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
  Our country is founded on the principles of democracy, American 
values and faith that those who fight for freedom will defeat those 
whose cause is unjust.
  I know I speak for the Nation when I say that we stand united behind 
our courageous men and women in uniform.
  We must be united in seeing that every soldier, sailor, airman and 
marine is welcomed back with all the care and compassion this grateful 
Nation can bestow.
  No other group of Americans has stood stronger and braver for our 
democracy than our troops and veterans.
  Veterans Day should not be observed just once a year--our Nation's 
heroes must be celebrated, honored and remembered for their service to 
our Nation--the whole year through.
  Veterans have kept their promise to serve our Nation--and we, as a 
free and democratic country, must keep our promises to our veterans.
  As Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, it is my honor to 
serve the veterans of this Nation and I encourage my fellow Americans 
to do the same.
  I encourage all Americans to reach out to veterans. Thank them and 
their families for their amazing sacrifice. Learn more about their 
great contributions to our country and gain the wisdom of their 
personal stories of our nation's history.
  Americans have learned, again, the truth behind the inscription on 
the Korean War Memorial--``Freedom is not free.'' And no one has paid a 
higher price and sacrifice for our freedom than our veterans.
  Pause to remember the noble service and high sacrifices of those who 
have worn this Nation's uniform.
  On Veterans Day and the whole year through, join me and take the time 
to show your gratitude to those who have answered the call to duty.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind all persons in the 
gallery that they are here as guests of the House, and that any 
manifestation of approval or disapproval of the proceedings or any 
audible conversation is in violation of the rules of the House.
  The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution, H. Res. 237.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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