Memorial Day 2007
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 Dear jay, Memorial Day is a time when Americans come together to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country. Their legacy is the liberty we enjoy and it's why we owe an immeasurable debt to our fallen service men and women, and their families. The sacrifice is felt especially deeply this year. We honor the more than 3,400 Americans who have died in Iraq as well as the nearly 400 who have died in Afghanistan. We also honor the more than 26,000 U.S. troops who have been wounded in both countries, and the thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and other stations around the globe. Military service is a high and noble calling for Americans and has been since before our nation's independence. For more than 200 years, our country has recognized a moral obligation to support the troops during and after their service. As George Washington said, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by their country." The 110th Congress is meeting its obligation to our troops and their families through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which I was proud to vote for when it passed the House on May 17th. Due to our ongoing presence in Iraq we're currently experiencing the worst military readiness shortfall since the Vietnam War. This legislation addresses that crisis by investing in new equipment, increased training, improved body armor, advanced vehicles, and more troops. It also provides all service members with a pay raise of 3.5 percent 0.5 percent more than the President requested in his 2008 budget. I'm also proud to support the new Democratic Majority's promise of a GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century to adequately invest in veterans' health care, improved benefits for our men and women in uniform today, and long-overdue benefits for veterans and military retirees who have already served. An example of this commitment is the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution (S.Con.Res. 21), which I voted for when it passed the House. It provides the largest increase in veterans' health care in our nation's history and is supported by all the major veterans' service organizations in our country. Finally, I've supported, and the House has passed a wide range of legislation ensuring that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive the highest quality care they deserve. The House recently passed legislation to address the inadequate care of patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, as well as measures to expand care and treatment for traumatic brain injury and mental health disorders which are growing problems among our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. These new policies will improve quality of care and our understanding of severe afflictions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Much of this groundbreaking work is being carried out daily in our own community which is home to the Palo Alto Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, one of four VA centers in the country which specializes in traumatic brain injury treatment and rehabilitation. Information about these bills and other Veterans issues can be found on my Web site. As always, if you have any questions or comments, let me hear from you. Sincerely,  Anna G. Eshoo Member of Congress |
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posted by jay ca-house-election 985-320-6006 at 1:33 PM
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