[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15496]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   PUTTING OUR TROOPS BEFORE POLITICS

  (Mr. SMITH of Missouri asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, yesterday people across this 
country were shocked to learn that families of troops who died in 
combat are being denied death benefits, including a fellow Missourian. 
Like so many in my district, I was appalled to see news reports showing 
so little respect or care for the families of troops who made the 
ultimate sacrifice.
  Many issues divide us in this body, but surely Democrats and 
Republicans can come together to support our troops and to support 
their families. This issue should rise above any political divide. 
Troops who lay down their lives in battle should never be forgotten or 
forsaken by their government.
  Today, the House will vote on H.J. Res. 91, Honoring the Families of 
Fallen Soldiers. I am hopeful this legislation will then be taken up 
immediately by the Senate and then quickly signed into law by President 
Obama. We must correct this wrong.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask every American to join me in prayer 
for the troops we have lost and for their families who were forgotten 
by our government.

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