[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1385, 
which recognizes the courage and sacrifice of our veterans and members 
of the Armed Forces, and urges all Americans to honor their brave 
service. This important resolution expresses our national gratitude for 
the willingness of our men and women in uniform, past and present, to 
risk their lives on our behalf.
  I thank Chairman Skelton for his leadership in bringing this 
resolution to the floor. I also thank the Congressman for sponsoring 
this legislation and for his dedication to ensuring that this Nation 
does everything it can to repay our veterans and members of the Armed 
Services for the sacrifices they have made to protect us and the values 
that we cherish as American citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout our history, the members of our Armed Forces 
have endured hardship and suffering--many of them making the ultimate 
sacrifice--on behalf of our Nation. Time and again, they have answered 
the call to serve the United States, leaving their homes, their 
families, and American soil, in times of war and peace. From World Wars 
I and II to the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, our men and 
women in uniform have fought valiantly to protect American citizens and 
promote global security.
  Since the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, the Armed Forces have 
served with an inspirational sense of duty and country. Since 2001, 
more than 1,000 Americans have lost their lives and more than 5,500 
Americans have been wounded in the Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 
2003, over 4,300 servicemen and servicewomen have sacrificed their 
lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 31,000 Americans have 
returned from this conflict wounded or with disabilities. California 
has lost nearly 600 servicemen and servicewomen in Operations Enduring 
Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; two of these brave individuals came from my 
district. Almost 4,000 men and women from California have been wounded 
in these conflicts. I am forever grateful for these sacrifices and for 
the dedication of our Armed Forces to ensure the safety of the American 
people at a time when our Nation faces challenging new threats from 
abroad.
  These brave men and women have assumed the responsibility of 
protecting us; we, then, have a solemn obligation to them. We must 
always provide the members of our Armed Forces with the resources, 
supplies, and equipment they need to carry out their mission as safely 
and successfully as possible. We must work hard to support our veterans 
who return home from overseas, serving their needs with the same vigor 
and sense of duty that they displayed in serving our country. As the 
representative of a district that is home to over 24,000 veterans and 
the VA Medical Center of Long Beach, I know how important it is to 
ensure that our veterans have access to affordable health care, 
housing, and job opportunities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
1385.

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