[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 74 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H2219-H2220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SOUTH DADE VETERANS AFFAIRS CLINIC

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
long-overdue south Dade Veterans Affairs clinic adjacent to Homestead 
Air Reserve Base, part of my congressional district.
  Community-based outpatient clinic facilities in Homestead and Key 
Largo are extremely limited in the amount of services that they 
provide. This project, therefore, can no longer be ignored, Mr. 
Speaker. Currently, these local military personnel, retired 
servicemembers, and veterans are not getting the proper support that 
they have so rightfully earned.
  As the wife of a Vietnam veteran and a stepmother of two marine 
aviators, I am passionate about safeguarding our Nation's military 
members and their families and fighting for the services they need in 
order for them to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Our military does 
not quit on us, Mr. Speaker, and I certainly will continue fighting for 
them.
  It is estimated that there are more than 22,500 veterans, Active-Duty 
military, and recently deployed reservists eligible for VA medical 
services within a 20-mile radius of Homestead Air Reserve Base. 
Currently, those living in Homestead who require more than the limited 
services offered at Homestead Outpatient Clinic must travel about 70 
miles roundtrip to the VA Medical Center in order to get the proper 
care that they desperately need. Veterans living in the Upper Keys have 
to travel even further, oftentimes more than 160 miles roundtrip.
  This is completely unacceptable. It is a huge burden for our 
servicemen and -women and their families who have already sacrificed so 
much for us and our Nation. This new clinic would not only improve 
access to care for veterans in Homestead and the Upper Keys, but it 
would also enhance the quality of care throughout the region by 
reducing pressure on the Miami VA Medical Center.
  Mr. Speaker, the south Dade VA clinic is a project that has a great 
deal of support throughout my district, including the Department of 
Defense personnel at Homestead Air Reserve Base and the Military 
Affairs Committee of the south Dade Chamber of Commerce.
  I have also received thousands of constituent support cards, many of 
which I have here with me today. Here is a bunch, and here is a bunch. 
There are just thousands, Mr. Speaker.
  Once again I would like to express my strong support for the long-
overdue south Dade Veterans Affairs clinic adjacent to the Homestead 
Air Reserve Base. These local veterans have waited too long already, 
and they deserve nothing less than the successful completion of a new 
facility as soon as possible.

[[Page H2220]]

  



           Congratulating Israel on its 68th Independence Day

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
democratic Jewish State of Israel as it marks its Independence Day.
  Though the Jewish people have historical ties to Israel that date 
back millennia, in just 68 years of statehood, look at all that Israel 
has accomplished. Israel is a world leader in education, in technology, 
and in innovation. It is a vibrant and open democracy with a robust 
economy that thrives despite the constant threats that it faces daily.
  The United States can have no greater friend than Israel not only 
because we share the same interests, but because we also share the same 
values and beliefs, such as democracy and the rule of law. That is why 
it is imperative that our two nations sign a new memorandum of 
understanding to ensure that Israel has the capability and the capacity 
to defend herself and her citizens from all threats and be a shining 
example of democracy for the entire region.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work to strengthen the 
already-strong relationship between the U.S. and Israel. I congratulate 
the Jewish state and her citizens on its 68th Independence Day.

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