[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 86 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                VETERANS BENEFITS AWARENESS ACT OF 2008

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON KLEIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2008

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
3681, the Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2008, which passed the 
House of Representatives this week.
  Fifty veterans move to Florida every day, and I am honored to 
represent thousands who served our country honorably in our Nation's 
military. The efforts of military veterans have provided Americans with 
security and peace of mind, and I remain eternally grateful for their 
sacrifices.
  I believe that America owes its military heroes a debt of gratitude, 
and that their priorities must be the Nation's top priorities. I am 
committed to making sure that members of the military and veterans 
receive the benefits that they deserve when they return home.
  Several times per year, I am proud to convene my Congressional 
Veterans Advisory Groups in Broward and Palm Beach Counties to listen 
and learn about the needs of South Florida veterans. One of the most 
pressing issues that has repeatedly come up is the veterans' need to 
know more about their benefits. One solution to this problem is an 
awareness campaign to educate returning servicemembers about available 
benefits. The Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2008 does just that by 
allowing the Secretary of the VA to advertise and promote awareness of 
veterans' benefits.
  I am proud to support H.R. 3681, the Veterans Benefits Awareness Act 
of 2008, because I believe that nothing should stand in the way between 
a veteran and the benefits that he or she deserves. This legislation 
will go a long way to help returning servicemembers and veterans in my 
district and throughout the country.

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