Mark Takano: “Many Americans woke up today and after the elections under a cloud of fear and anxiety. There are children who, for…”

“Many Americans woke up today and after the elections under a cloud of fear and anxiety. There are children who, for perhaps the first time in their lives, are wondering if this country welcomes and respects them. I rise today to remind my colleagues, the incoming administration, and the American people that millions of our veterans and servicemembers have made incredible sacrifices in defense of a single powerful idea: no matter where you come from, what you believe, or who you love, you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. On Veterans Day, we expressed our enduring gratitude to those men and women--Latinos and Muslims, Christians and Jews, African Americans and all others--who put on the uniform to defend that idea. But our words are not enough. We must honor their service by protecting the rights and freedoms of every American, and we must keep our pledge to promote liberty and justice for all. Thank you again to all our veterans. We will honor your service. ____________________”