[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 16078-16079]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI SALUTES THE MILITARY

  (Mr. PALAZZO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, tonight, back home in south Mississippi, 
the Coast Chamber is hosting the 33rd annual Salute to the Military. I 
deeply regret not being able to attend tonight to recognize our 
Nation's finest.
  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, a marine veteran, 
and the only Member of Congress who still actively serves as a 
noncommissioned officer in the Mississippi Army National Guard, I know 
firsthand how vital their work is to our Nation's defense. As I serve, 
I am always mindful of their service and sacrifice, as well as their 
families'. Nowhere are so few asked to sacrifice so much for so many. 
So I ask this Congress and the American people to share in their 
sacrifice and say ``no'' to any more defense spending cuts.
  To date, more than half of the cuts in spending have come from 
defense. It is morally irresponsible to continue trying to balance the 
budget on the backs of our men and women in uniform. As a nation, our 
economic and personal security depends on a strong, capable, well-
equipped, and well-trained military.

[[Page 16079]]

  So I want to salute all those who have served and are currently 
serving. Thank you for making America safe and exceptional.

                          ____________________