[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22116]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 A NEW COMMITMENT TO AMERICA'S VETERANS

  Mrs. CARNAHAN. Mr. President, in the past few weeks, I have often 
thought of that scene in one of Shakespeare's plays where two friends 
meet, but one does not recognize the other. One explains: ``Grief hath 
changed me since you saw me last.'' Yes, grief has changed the face of 
America. We are tear stained by tragedy, but we are triumphant in 
spirit.
  It has been nearly 60 years since we experienced such a lethal and 
cowardly attack on our Nation. Though I was a young child at the time, 
I still remember the shock and sadness of Pearl Harbor. But I also 
recall the spirit of unity and partiotism that swelled up within us 
following that attack.
  At a time when half of our Navy lay at the bottom of the ocean, 
President Roosevelt spoke of our ``inevitable triumph.'' He placed his 
confidence in what he called ``the unbounding determination of the 
American people.''
  We all pulled together in the years that followed. We conquered 
fascism and communism, we rescued democracy, and we built a better 
world. America's veterans led the way.
  Today, our President has called us to a similar resolve. And we will 
answer that call again. We must start by making a new commitment to all 
those who serve today, and to every one of America's veterans.
  I have proposed legislation that would extend Tri-Care benefits to 
our citizens soldiers for up to four months after they return from 
active duty. It has passed the Senate, and I am working to make sure it 
becomes part of the Defense bill.
  I also support a bill to provide Tri-Care for life to every American 
veteran, because I think we owe them that much.
  I believe we should extend the Montgomery G.I. bill, and allow 
veterans to transfer half of their education benefits to their family.
  I also support the President's efforts to improve the Veterans' 
Administration's response to benefit claims. It is shameful that 
someone who risked their life for our country should have to wait for 
months, even years, to get the benefits they deserve, the benefits they 
have earned.
  There might be those who say we can't afford to care for our Nation's 
veterans, that the price is too high. But I say, if we don't stand by 
those who fought for us, we are unworthy of their sacrifice.
  So on the Veteran's Day 2001, a day of remembrance and commitment, we 
salute the fighting men and women of our Nation, active duty, reserves, 
and veterans.
  We look to them in our time of national need. They have never let us 
down. We pledge our support in the defense of freedom. We declare to 
them, we declare to each other, we will not allow the American dream to 
be diminished by fear, or our eyes dimmed by tears.
  From the ashes of terrorism, we will build a new tower to freedom 
that will cast its light around the world. With God's help, we will 
prove again what the poet Carl Sandburg once said: ``We are Americans. 
Nothing like us ever was.''

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