[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 105 (Tuesday, July 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 4812 ``HONOR FLIGHT ACT''

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2014

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland 
Security Committee and the former ranking member and chair of the 
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 4812, the Honor Flight Act of 2014.
  H.R. 4812 authorizes the collaboration between the Transportation 
Security Administration (TSA) and the Honor Flight Network, as well as 
other non-profit organizations that transport veterans to visit 
memorials, to ensure continued expedited and dignified passenger 
screening for veterans travelling to Washington, D.C. to visit 
memorials and other tributes to their bravery, heroism, and sacrifice 
in the cause of freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, thousands of veterans across the country fought to 
protect the freedoms we take for granted and to keep our nation safe. 
They are deserving of our gratitude for the valor and courage they 
displayed in risking their lives to keep us free and to liberate 
captive peoples in other lands.
  They are veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, 
and the Gulf Wars--Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
  With each passing day, the number of World War II and Korea veterans 
declines by the hundreds. For many of these heroes, one of their last 
wishes is to visit the national war memorials in Washington, D.C.
  Honoring and facilitating that request is the least we can do for 
those who did so much for us.
  TSA works with the Honor Flight Network in expediting the screening 
process for veterans visiting the national war memorials, saving the 
veterans' time and showing them their due respect and appreciation.
  The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to 
transporting veterans on charter flights operated by commercial 
airlines to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials built in honor of their 
service.
  Currently, the Honor Flight Network gives priority to WWII veterans 
and those from any war who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
  The Honor Flight Network plans to expand the program in the future to 
include the veterans who served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, 
followed by veterans of the wars in the Persian Gulf.
  Mr. Speaker, my home state of Texas has the second largest number of 
veterans of any state in the nation, with just over 1.6 million 
veterans. My home city of Houston is proud to be the residence of more 
than 300,000 veterans.
  I strongly support the bill before us because I strongly support the 
efforts of TSA and the Honor Flight Network in making real the dreams, 
and in many cases the last wishes, of thousands of veterans who wish to 
visit the memorials dedicated by the nation in their honor.
  I urge all members to join me in supporting H.R. 4812 so that our 
veterans continue to receive the security accommodations they need and 
deserve as they travel to Washington, D.C. to view the national 
memorials consecrated by their sacrifice in defense of our country.

                          ____________________