Supporting And Encouraging Greater Support For Veterans Day
Floor Speech
Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 89) supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 89
Whereas veterans of service in the United States Armed Forces have served the Nation with honor and at great personal sacrifice;
Whereas the American people owe the security of the Nation to those who have defended it;
Whereas on Veterans Day each year, the Nation honors those who have defended democracy by serving in the Armed Forces;
Whereas veterans continue to provide a valuable service in their communities across the Nation and are important members of American society;
Whereas we must honor and express our sincere gratitude to all our veterans for their unwavering commitment to country, justice and democracy;
Whereas the observance of Veterans Day is an expression of faith in democracy, faith in American values, and faith that those who fight for freedom will defeat those whose cause is unjust; and
Whereas section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code, provides that ``Veteran's Day, November 11'' is a legal public holiday: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) encourages Americans to demonstrate their support for veterans on Veterans Day each year by treating that day as a special day of reflection;
(2) encourages schools and teachers to educate students on the great contributions veterans have made to the country and its history, both while serving as members of the United States Armed Forces and after completing their service; and
(3) requests that the President issue a proclamation each year in connection with the observance of Veterans Day calling on the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, each year on Veterans Day, Americans come together to honor our Nation's heroes, over 23 million veterans that have served our country. Again this year, our country is engaged in conflicts that require the dedication of our uniformed troops. Our Nation has a proud legacy of appreciation and commitment to the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this great land. We must be united in seeing that every soldier, sailor, airman and marine is welcomed back with all the care and compassion that this grateful Nation can bestow.
House Resolution 89 encourages Americans to demonstrate their support for veterans. No other group of Americans has stood stronger and braver for our democracy than our troops and veterans.
As a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, it is my honor to serve the veterans of this Nation, and I encourage my fellow Americans to do the same. I firmly believe that Veterans Day should not be observed just once a year, but our Nation's heroes must be celebrated, honored and remembered every single day of the year.
I encourage all Americans to reach out to veterans, thank them and their families for the amazing sacrifices they make, learn more about their contributions to our country, and gain the wisdom of their personal stories.
On this 90th official Veterans Day, it is important to let these heroes know that this grateful Nation honors their service. Pause to remember that service and the sacrifices of each and every one who has worn this Nation's uniform. On Veterans Day and throughout the year, join me and every Member of this House to take the time and show your gratitude to those who have answered the call of duty.
Mr. Speaker, I know as a veteran myself, as a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and having the honor to serve there, and as a teacher of our high school students, how incredibly important it is to remember the foundations this country was founded on and those who are willing to give and, as we speak, are still willing to give the ultimate sacrifice.
Veterans Day is not a day for sales, and Veterans Day is not a day to take the day off. Veterans Day is a day to understand that all the blessings of liberty and freedom this country has emanate from each and every one of those. So I think it is incredibly important. I urge support for this piece of legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 89, a resolution supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year.
Our Nation's veterans have sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we enjoy on a daily basis. Our Nation has an obligation to ensure that those who have served, and especially those who were injured while serving, have the necessary benefits and services available to allow them to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Today, a new generation of heroes returns home, too often draped in the Nation's flag. Their comrades in arms stand guard and honor their memories as they themselves become the living symbols of the cost of freedom. It is right that today, almost 1 week before our commemoration of Veterans Day, that we consider this resolution encouraging and supporting the observance of this important day for our Nation.
This resolution encourages Americans to demonstrate their support for veterans on Veterans Day each year by treating that day as a special day of reflection, encourages schools and teachers to educate students on the great contributions our veterans have made to our country, and requests that the President issue a proclamation each year in connection with the observance of Veterans Day.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Baca of California, for introducing this legislation, as well as Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for moving the bill so quickly to the floor for consideration.
I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 89.
Mr. Speaker, having no further speakers, I just again want to say howimportant this resolution is. Mr. Walz said it so eloquently, especially coming from somebody like himself who did many years in the military and rose to a place of such prominence. We appreciate his service.
Again, this resolution basically just says that we need to slow down and do more to recognize the sacrifice of our veterans on this very, very important day. I think it is certainly very fitting.
With that, I urge all of my colleagues to support the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 89.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Arkansas, my good friend, a tireless supporter of veterans, a true gentleman in this House, and someone who embodies what we are here for. There is far more that unites us than divides us, and nothing makes that clearer than Veterans Day. I think all of us know that when we come together in support of our veterans, it is all that is right in this country. We have our differences, we disagree on things, but nothing will ever shake that.
I want to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for their outstanding commitment to this. Maybe some people are wondering why this is H. Res. 89 after all the big numbers. Mr. Baca puts this in first every year in every Congress to make sure that it is ready to go for Veterans Day. For that I thank him.
André Carson was down here earlier. As I explained to Mr. Stearns why we did this, one of the things was, it is never hard to get anyone to come and support pieces of veterans legislation. Mr. Carson from Indiana came back early and did that.
I also want to thank the staff for this package of initiatives going forward before Veterans Day, both the majority and the minority staff, for their tireless work on this. The one thing I have found working in the Veterans' Affairs Committee, the staff are there for our veterans. That is their main purpose, that is what they are there for every day, and they continue to work tirelessly to ensure that we are doing good things.
So it is with that that I ask all Americans to stand proud with our veterans, stand tall, know that those freedoms that they enjoy so much come at an incredible cost to many of our fellow Americans, but to let them know that we are with them every step of the way, and these pieces of legislation will go further to do that.
I urge the unanimous support of H. Res. 89.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 89, the Veterans Day resolution.
I thank Chairman BOB FILNER and Ranking Member STEVE BUYER for their commitment to this resolution and tremendous support for America's veterans.
As one of many veterans who are now Members of Congress, I am proud to introduce and now seek the passage of this important resolution.
To all my colleagues and fellow veterans, I commend you for your service.
This resolution reminds us that Veterans Day is not just a day off from school or work. This is a special day of reflection to honor those that have defended our freedom.
America would not be the great country that she is, if it were not for our veterans.
When our troops commit to serve our country, they make a promise to serve and protect.
We also have a moral responsibility to protect returning veterans and their families.
Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan must receive the best treatment. Sadly, for the last few years, I don't believe our Government has held its end of the bargain.
But Congress is working diligently to correct this, most recently by implementing an outstanding GI bill and for adding more support services to veterans and their families.
We all must do our part to recognize America's greatest heroes.
This is why my resolution also encourages schools to educate our young people about the contributions of our veterans to this country.
Last Congress, as Chair of the CHC, I worked closely with Hispanic veterans and Medal of Honor winners from WWII to today.
The stories of courage and sacrifice I heard from them were nothing short of amazing. They deserve to be recognized and thanked.
A special thanks is due to our military families who are often left behind and face the daily rigors of war within their homes in America and overseas.
These families sacrifice so much for their loved ones and for America. I thank you as well; you are the support system and backbone for all these veterans.
On November 11th, on Veterans Day do not forget who the true heroes of this country are. Reflect on the true meaning of Veterans Day, and remember the sacrifices made by so many proud American sons and daughters.
I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 89.
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Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 89, ``supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year.'' The roots of Veterans Day can be traced back to the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in 1919, yet the reigning effects of the efforts of our Veterans reach back much further. From our inception as a Nation, freedom has never been free; it has been fought for both on battle fields around the world and on the floors of the Congress.
In November 1919, President Wilson remembered our fallen soldiers of WWI with the following words: ``To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations .....'' The Veterans Day that we know today was signed into law on May 26, 1954 by President Dwight Eisenhower. Congress amended the act on November 8, 1954, replacing ``Armistice'' with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day since.
In its history, America has endured great tests of faith and each of the roughly 42 million men and women who have served this Nation at some point in time is a testament to the fact that this country truly is the land of the free and the home of the brave. For nowhere else in the world can you live a life of liberty in the pursuit of happiness as you can on American soil, this is the American Dream. A dream had by the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Barbara Jordan and every other American. A dream recently achieved by President Obama, who came from obscurity to the forefront of a truly just nation. Veterans have all done a great service to this Nation and it is our duty to honor them. The Texas Veterans Commission recognizes over 1.7 million veterans in my home state of Texas and within my home district, the 18th District of Texas, we hold our 34,000 veterans in the upmost respect.
Every morning when you wake up, you should thank a Veteran. Every night you make it to bed, you should thank a Veteran. Every breath in freedom you take, you should thank a Veteran. After serving our Nation with honor, our Veterans deserve to be honored.
For these reasons I stand with many of my colleagues in strong support of H. Res. 89, authored by Congressman JOE BACA (CA 43rd District) for the greater recognition of Veterans Day by:
1. Encouraging Americans to demonstrate their support for veterans each year by treating that day as a special day of reflection;
2. Encouraging schools and teachers to educate our children about the many contributions that veterans have made to our society--both during and after their service in the military;
3. Requesting that the President issue a proclamation each year in connection with the observance of Veterans Day calling on the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
As stated in the resolution, the observance of Veterans Day is an expression of faith in democracy, faith in American values, and faith that those who fight for freedom will defeat those whose cause is unjust. As our Veterans take an oath to take on a just cause, so must we. We must vow to never forget the indisputable fact that our Veterans are the back bone of this Nation, they are the reason we can stand against forces of oppression. We too must stand and fight for our Veterans, to give them the care they both need and deserve.
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Mr. WALZ. I have no further requests for time. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 89.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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