Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak in favor of the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act. This act will initiate the process for constructing a memorial to the brave men and women of the Armed Forces who have fought and, too often, died for this country in the wake of the September 11 attacks. As a veteran of the Iraq war, I am extremely proud to be on the floor today as we memorialize the bravest and best of Americans: the ones who volunteered to put themselves in harm's way and did not come back. I want to commend my fellow Marines, Mr. Moulton and Mr. Gallagher, for sponsoring this act. As you know, Mr. Speaker, it takes a lot for an enlisted marine like me to speak very highly of any officer, let alone Marine Corps officers, but there are always exceptions. Mr. Speaker, as we consider this legislation, I hope every Member of this body will take a quiet moment today to think about the courageous men and women we have lost over the past 16 years. When I cast my vote today, I know I will be thinking about my close friends, including Corporal Andre Williams and Lance Corporal Christopher Lyons, who died 12 years ago today in Cykla, Iraq. This memorial will honor thousands of our countrymen who have been killed and wounded in Iraq and around the world. It will memorialize the service of those who have survived the battle only to fall victim to the mental and emotional demons of post-traumatic stress.…”