Honoring Our Nation's Veterans

This Memorial Day, I wanted to highlight The Veterans History Project, which collects oral histories, along with collections of letters and photographs, diaries, maps and other documents, from American wartime veterans.

I believe in taking action in Congress to preserve the rights of our Veterans. I am a co-sponsor of the “GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.” Supported by veterans groups including the American Legion, it would improve benefits for men and women in the military and for veterans and military retirees.

In Congress, I continue to oppose cuts in veterans’ benefits and consistently vote against Federal budgets that failed to give veterans’ health care and services the funding needed. I have supported the proposals of the Independent Budget, a detailed independent Veterans Administration budget that is co-authored each year by the AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Paralyzed Veterans of America. It would modernize the GI Bill by paying the full cost of college or job training for those serving four years of active duty. The legislation would also improve health care for returning veterans and block increases in prescription drug copayments and enrollment fees for veterans.

I am also a sponsor of the “Veterans Employment and Respect Act” that would give employers a tax credit for hiring Afghanistan and Iraq veterans and dependents of deceased members of the military who served there.

I have worked to prevent the closing of the Montrose VA hospital. Keeping it operating with no reduction in services makes a tremendous difference in people’s lives and prevents increased overcrowding at the Castle Point and Bronx VA hospitals.

My office was able to obtain millions to improve VA facilities, including funds to prevent the closing of the Spinal Cord Injury facility at the Bronx VA hospital.

At a time when we are asking our service men and women to risk their lives and health, we should be expanding – not eliminating – the health care and other services they need and deserve.

Learn More About the Veterans History Project

Read Congressman Engel’s Newsletter on Veterans