Recognizing and Honoring Members of Armed Forces and Veterans

Floor Speech

* Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1385, which recognizes the courage and sacrifice of our veterans and members of the Armed Forces, and urges all Americans to honor their brave service. This important resolution expresses our national gratitude for the willingness of our men and women in uniform, past and present, to risk their lives on our behalf.

* I thank Chairman Skelton for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor. I also thank the Congressman for sponsoring this legislation and for his dedication to ensuring that this Nation does everything it can to repay our veterans and members of the Armed Services for the sacrifices they have made to protect us and the values that we cherish as American citizens.

* Mr. Speaker, throughout our history, the members of our Armed Forces have endured hardship and suffering--many of them making the ultimate sacrifice--on behalf of our Nation. Time and again, they have answered the call to serve the United States, leaving their homes, their families, and American soil, in times of war and peace. From World Wars I and II to the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, our men and women in uniform have fought valiantly to protect American citizens and promote global security.

* Since the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, the Armed Forces have served with an inspirational sense of duty and country. Since 2001, more than 1,000 Americans have lost their lives and more than 5,500 Americans have been wounded in the Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2003, over 4,300 servicemen and servicewomen have sacrificed their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 31,000 Americans have returned from this conflict wounded or with disabilities. California has lost nearly 600 servicemen and servicewomen in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; two of these brave individuals came from my district. Almost 4,000 men and women from California have been wounded in these conflicts. I am forever grateful for these sacrifices and for the dedication of our Armed Forces to ensure the safety of the American people at a time when our Nation faces challenging new threats from abroad.

* These brave men and women have assumed the responsibility of protecting us; we, then, have a solemn obligation to them. We must always provide the members of our Armed Forces with the resources, supplies, and equipment they need to carry out their mission as safely and successfully as possible. We must work hard to support our veterans who return home from overseas, serving their needs with the same vigor and sense of duty that they displayed in serving our country. As the representative of a district that is home to over 24,000 veterans and the VA Medical Center of Long Beach, I know how important it is to ensure that our veterans have access to affordable health care, housing, and job opportunities.

* Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1385.

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