Rep. Sanchez Commemorates Veterans' Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Loretta Sanchez issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans' Day.

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"Today I join my fellow Americans in honoring all of our veterans across the United States.

"As the ranking woman on the House Armed Services Committee, I take great pride in fighting for the needs of our honored veterans.  We have an obligation to care for and honor America's servicemen and women, their families, and our veterans for their bravery and sacrifice.  Without their dedication to duty, we would not enjoy the many freedoms America has to offer.

"The 110^th Congress has done tremendous work to improve the quality of life for our American veterans and meet the needs of returning veterans. The Congress increased veterans' program funding by $6.6 billion-the largest increase in the Department of Veterans Affairs' seventy-seven year history.  This additional funding will enable the VA to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service connected disabilities. The funding will also be used to: create a program to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans; provide increases for mental health care, readjustment care and polytrauma care; and improve the maintenance of VA facilities.

"Another major milestone for veterans was the passage of the GI Bill for the 21^st Century. This new law restores full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help make them part of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II and provide our returning troops with the tools they need to succeed after military service.

"Veterans both old and young have a common bond - a love for our country that runs so deep that they were willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. As a country it is our responsibility to honor our veterans with dignity and respect. We must continue to provide and improve the quality and affordable care that was promised to those who have sacrificed so much for all of us.

"I join with Congress in honoring all U.S. veterans today."

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