[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22118]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           VETERANS DAY, 2001

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, as we again approach Veterans 
Day, it is vital that we pause, more so than on any Veterans Day in 
recent memory, to give tribute to the more than 48 million heroic 
veterans who have served in our military since the start of the 
Republic and who have fought so that the freedom and safety of this 
great Nation would not be compromised. We owe our veterans our 
heartfelt gratitude for answering the call and serving us all in the 
United States Armed Forces.
  Today, as it should be, military service is being held in high 
esteem. The events of September 11 have renewed America's sense of 
gratitude toward the men and women of the Armed Forces for the great 
sacrifices they make everyday on behalf of our Nation. America has been 
steadfast in its commitment to the world to be a beacon for freedom. 
Our military personnel have honored our commitment to the world, time 
after time, in every part of the globe.
  At present, the members of our Armed Forces are fighting the 
terrorist regime responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans 
on September 11th. We will win this fight. And once again, our men and 
women in uniform will honor our commitment to the world. What strikes 
me with enormous poignancy is the age of those who have answered the 
call to duty throughout our history. In this war, as in those of our 
past, we send our young to honor our commitments abroad and to protect 
our great Nation. They are the best of the best. Their motto might well 
be, in the words of Alexander Pope, ``Act well your part, therein all 
honor lies.''
  As we observe Veterans Day, let us remember that we owe our veterans 
our gratitude and appreciation year round, and not merely on the day 
set aside for the commemoration of their service and sacrifice. It 
would be truly disgraceful if veterans were made to feel forgotten 
except for this one day per year. Indeed, our gratitude should be as 
steadfast as the great monuments that Americans have built in 
commemoration of the very service and sacrifices our veterans made. 
There should be no ambivalence in our attitude toward those who serve 
in the United States Armed Forces.
  I am proud to represent the State of West Virginia in the Senate. 
West Virginia has one of the highest veteran populations per capita of 
any State. The deep patriotism and loyalty to our country of the people 
of my State of West Virginia fills me with gratitude, and inspires me 
in my role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. In 
that position, I am fortunate to represent not only the veterans of 
West Virginia, but veterans all over our country.
  As Chairman, I have fought very hard for improvements in benefits and 
services to veterans. We have made significant strides this year in 
fulfilling the pledge of Abraham Lincoln, ``to care for him who shall 
have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans.''
  A critical need for veterans is long-term care. Our veteran 
population is aging rapidly and it is our responsibility to care for 
them. I am dedicated to this need, and in groundbreaking legislation, I 
was able to secure a significant expansion in the eligibility for and 
types of treatment that will soon be available to veterans.
  It is my belief that the Montgomery GI Bill must be sufficient to 
recognize the commitment and sacrifices that individuals make to serve 
in the military. In keeping with that belief, the Committee has 
endorsed legislation under which the basic rate of the MGIB benefit 
will be raised over the next 3 years. In addition, accelerated payments 
of MGIB benefits will be authorized to accommodate the compressed 
schedule of courses that leads to employment in a high technology 
industry. We should make every effort to accommodate the educational 
needs of our veterans, and this change is an important step in doing 
so.
  Additionally, the Committee endorsed legislation under which the 
maximum amount for the popular VA home loan guaranty will be increased. 
It will now be within the reach of veterans to buy homes in major 
metropolitan areas where home prices have skyrocketed. Many years have 
passed since a VA home loan guaranty increase, and high housing costs 
in certain areas had put homeownership beyond the reach of our veterans 
who live in those areas. This increase will add value to the existing 
benefit.
  Today, and everyday, we should honor those who have worn the uniforms 
of our Nation. All those who served deserve our appreciation, our 
respect, and our compassion. They are indeed, the best of the 
best.

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