[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 177 (Wednesday, November 6, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6438-S6439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Veterans Day

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise this evening to pay tribute to 
all the men and women who have worn our Nation's uniform in defense of 
our freedom. Veterans Day is a deeply meaningful day for our Nation. 
Our country sets this day aside to honor her servicemembers.
  In Nebraska, we remember the sacrifices of our own heroes. We admire 
the courage required to leave your home in Nebraska and serve America 
in her hour of need. It was over 100 years ago, at the 11th hour, on 
the 11th day, during the 11th month of the year that the roars of 
battle in World War I fell silent. Since then, Nebraskans and all 
Americans have come together every year to renew our appreciation for 
our Nation's heroes. We pledge that no matter how much time has passed, 
we will never forget their valor, their service, and their 
selflessness.
  In June, it was one of the greatest honors of my life to gather at 
freedom's altar in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 75th 
anniversary of D-day. I was overwhelmed with both gratitude and pride 
for our men and women who ensure that our freedom lives on, and evil is 
vanquished.
  Now, 75 years earlier, minutes from where I was standing, Omaha's own 
CPL Ed Morrissette arrived at the beaches of Normandy with the 6th 
Infantry Regiment. As the Omaha World Herald reports, ``He leaped over 
the side of the landing craft into shoulder-deep water, carrying a roll 
of communications wire.''
  Morrissette recalled holding the wire and his rifle above the water 
as he waded through, dodging an onslaught of enemy artillery fire. By 
the grace of God, he completed his mission, and he survived the 
Normandy invasion.
  Corporal Morrissette continued fighting for our Nation in France and 
Germany. Following the war, his career as a civilian engineer 
eventually led him to Offutt Air Force Base. Recently, his courage and 
his dedication were recognized.
  At the age of 96, the Government of France awarded Corporal 
Morrissette the highest military or civilian medal--the French Legion 
of Honor. Corporal Morrissette's story inspires all of us to remember 
that our duty to honor our Nation's heroes is never finished. The 
responsibility falls to all of us to listen to their stories and to 
carry them on. Not only do we honor our troops with our words, we 
salute them with our actions.
  Nebraskans have always taken this to heart. It is why you read 
stories like that of Chuck Ogle from Kearney. He was a pilot in the 
498th U.S. Army Medical Corps air ambulance company during the Tet 
Offensive in Vietnam. Every single day, he carries with him a list of 
his 14 fellow servicemembers who were killed in action. It is why you 
see stories of hero flights for Nebraska veterans to visit Washington, 
DC.
  Last October, a plane carried 80 Korean veterans from Hall County to 
our Nation's Capital to visit the monuments dedicated to their service. 
This marked the 10th flight for the county's veterans to Washington. 
Now, every living veteran in Hall County has been given the opportunity 
to make this trip. It is why over the last few years business leaders 
and members of the Omaha community rallied around the goal of building 
a new ambulatory clinic at the Omaha VA hospital.

  In response to delays to update the aging Omaha VA facility, I 
introduced and President Obama signed into law the CHIP IN for Vets Act 
in 2016. The bill allows control of VA projects to be placed where it 
should be--back in the hands of local communities. It allows 
communities like Omaha to take the lead on new projects by permitting 
the VA to accept private contributions to ensure VA projects are 
finished both on time and on budget. Omaha's community and business 
leaders came up with this idea in the first place, and they have 
delivered.
  Construction began on a new ambulatory center on the Omaha VA campus 
in May of 2018. After the original cost estimate of $120 million, the 
Government Accountability Office released a preliminary report that 
found that the implementation of the CHIP IN for Vets Act would reduce 
the total estimated cost to $86 million. The report projected that the 
new facility is now $34 million under budget and it is 4\1/2\ months 
ahead of schedule.
  In the same report, a VA official stated that because of the agency's 
current major construction backlog, the CHIP IN approach allowed work 
on the Omaha project to begin at least 5 years sooner than it would 
have under a normal process. Now Nebraska's veterans may get the 
quality of care they need and deserve earlier than expected. The 
success of this project is a testament to the deep respect and 
admiration Nebraskans have for our veterans.
  Scripture encourages us to pay our dues wherever they may be. If 
someone is due respect, show them respect. If honor is due, honor them. 
The amount of honor and respect our State and Nation owe our veterans 
is something we can never fully repay. Our country could not live on 
without their service and sacrifice.
  I want to sincerely thank our veterans for their service when our 
country needed it the most.
  Whether it was in the trenches of Europe while liberating a continent 
from evil or in the Pacific theater during World War II or stopping the 
threat of communism in Korea or Vietnam or defending our Nation against 
terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, the rescue of human freedom began 
with you. I can promise you that America will never forget your 
incredible courage and patriotism, and we will continue to strive to be 
worthy of the freedom that burns brighter today because of your 
service. On behalf of all Nebraskans and a grateful country, thank you.
  May God bless our Nation's veterans and their families, and may God 
bless the United States of America.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized 
as in morning business for such time as I may consume.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. INHOFE. You know, we don't hear that very often. I just heard the 
term from the Senator from Nebraska ``under budget and ahead of 
schedule.''

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  You did something right. Good for you.