Political Quotes

“In March of this year, VA announced it is updating its 1959 mission statement: ``To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our Nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors,'' and that was a way to make VA a more inclusive and inviting place. VA's previous mission statement read: ``To fulfill President Lincoln's promise: `To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.' '' The VA is a place where all veterans should feel welcomed, included, and cared for, and the previous mission statement did not adequately reflect the true veteran population. Only men were really reflected in the statement. Today, women are the fastest growing group of veterans, and it is about time that we are reflected in VA's mission statement. I am pleased the VA made this important and monumental change, honoring the past by making sure that we continue to make reference to President Lincoln's words and honoring the spirit of President Lincoln's intent, but also making sure that we truly honor all of our Nation's veterans, not just the men who have served our country. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment because this is exclusionary, and we want to make sure that the VA continues to be a more inclusive place and recognizes all veterans who serve, not just those who are men. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”