[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8266-8267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   REMEMBER THOSE WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY

  (Mr. WALZ of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, this Monday, Memorial Day, will 
give citizens from around the country the opportunity to come together 
and remember those who have laid down their lives in defense of our 
freedom. The debt we owe our Nation's servicemembers and veterans is 
immeasurable. Therefore, it's fitting to honor those heroes by renewing 
our commitment in this House to caring for those servicemembers both 
while they are in the military and after they return home.
  As a 24-year veteran of our armed services, I am proud of the work we 
have done in Congress to support our veteran servicemembers: Passed 
landmark budgets worthy of our veterans; made sure the VA health care 
budget

[[Page 8267]]

was delivered a year in advance; expanded VA health care access for 
returning combat veterans; increased support for veteran caregivers; 
passed a 21st century GI bill and continue to improve upon it; and 
enhanced employment opportunities.
  Although we have come a long way, our work is never done. We must 
make sure that our returning troops do not fall through the cracks and 
that they make the transition to civilian life with the full support of 
this Nation.
  On behalf of that grateful Nation, we thank our current 
servicemembers, our veterans, and their families for their service.

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