[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 46 (Monday, November 19, 2007)]
[Pages 1485-1486]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

November 10, 2007

    Good morning. This weekend, Americans mark two important dates in 
our Nation's history. On Saturday, we celebrate the 232d birthday of the 
United States Marine Corps. And on Sunday, we celebrate Veterans Day and 
give thanks for all those who have worn the uniform of America's Armed 
Forces.

    The Marine Corps was born in a Philadelphia tavern in 1775. Since 
then, the Marines have become one of the world's premier fighting 
forces. Their courage and valor in battle have earned them the respect 
of friend and foe alike. And today, a new generation of marines is 
writing another chapter in that proud tradition. Young marines are 
serving on the frontlines in the war on terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and 
around the world. As the Marines celebrate their birthday, we join them 
in recognizing what their sacrifice and service has meant for our 
freedom.

    America owes a debt of gratitude to all those who have served in our 
Armed Forces. On Veterans Day, we remember those who have served in 
previous wars, those who are serving today, and those who did not live 
to become veterans.

    Veterans Day also reminds us of our solemn responsibility to care 
for those who have fought our Nation's wars. Under my administration, 
Federal spending for our veterans has increased by more than two-thirds. 
We have extended medical treatment to a million additional veterans, 
including hundreds of thousands returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. And 
we have expanded grants to help homeless veterans across the country.

    These are the generous actions of a grateful nation. And to build on 
them, I nominated a good man to head our Department of Veterans Affairs, 
Doctor James Peake. Doctor Peake is an Army doctor, a retired lieutenant 
general, and a combat veteran who was wounded twice in Vietnam and 
decorated for his valor.

    When confirmed by the Senate, Doctor Peake will take on an important 
task: continuing my administration's work to implement the 
recommendations of the bipartisan

[[Page 1486]]

Dole-Shalala Commission on Wounded Warriors. These recommendations are 
vital to ensuring better care for our veterans, and Congress needs to 
confirm Doctor Peake so he can lead the way in this crucial effort.

    Some of the Commission's recommendations require legislative action, 
such as updating the disability system to fully meet the needs of our 
wounded warriors. So my administration has sent Congress a bill that 
would enact all the legislative steps recommended by the Commission. 
This is a good bill. Our wounded warriors and their families are 
counting on it, and I urge Democrats and Republicans to come together to 
pass it as quickly as possible.

    Congress can also meet its responsibility to our veterans by passing 
a clean Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. Unfortunately, 
congressional leaders let the fiscal year end without passing this bill 
they know our veterans need. So I urged Congress to pass this bill by 
Veterans Day, and they still have failed to send me this vital 
legislation. The time to act is running out. There are now just 4 days 
left on the legislative calendar before Congress leaves town for their 
Thanksgiving break. The best way Members of Congress can give thanks to 
our veterans is to send me a clean bill that I can sign into law.

    On this Veterans Day, I urge every American to take time to thank 
one of our Nation's 24 million veterans. They come from different 
generations and different backgrounds. But they are united by a 
commitment to honor, duty, and love of country that has kept America 
free. They continue to strengthen and inspire our Nation. And we will 
never forget what we owe them.

    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on November 9 at the Bush 
Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November 10. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
November 9 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office 
of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of 
this address.