Gus Bilirakis

Under Secretary Hickey, the VRAP legislation is intended to retrain unemployed veterans and we cannot let even one of those slots go unfilled.

This access to promised benefits have been made ever more difficult in recent years in my opinion as VA continues to struggle with backlogs and unacceptable delays in getting our Nation's veterans the benefits that they need and have…

Through their service and sacrifice on behalf of our Nation, veterans have ensured that our American way of life can continue long into the future.

This resolution encourages the International Olympic Committee to hold a minute of silence during the upcoming London Olympics.

I am concerned by efforts to prevent a prominent political opponent from running in the parliamentary election.

I call on the Turkish Government to reopen Halki without any further delay.

With H. Res. 583, this committee reiterates its condemnation of Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army.

Representative Gus Bilirakis's 'Retired Pay Restoration Act' (H.R. 303)

It is the constitutional duty of the federal government to protect speech and religion, not prohibit it.

The First Amendment is sacred, funerals are sacred and when our veterans are buried, that soil becomes sacred.

To deny anyone of their right to free speech or freedom of religion is unacceptable, but to deny our veterans, those who fought for those very freedoms we enjoy today, is inexcusable.

It is ironic that Americans who have gone to war and fought for the principles of the Constitution, come home to face government hostility and the denial of their First Amendment rights.

I am a cosponsor of HR 2720 because if passed, it would make sure travesties like the one I just described do not happen again.

There is no doubt that we have made great strides in our level of preparedness since September 11 and Hurricane Katrina.

At the start of another hurricane season and with no evidence that the terrorist threat to the United States will decline, it is important that this subcommittee has an accurate picture of the level of preparedness across the country.

We need to be proactive in marketing this program and identifying pitfalls that could derail this program.

In this very poor economy we should allow veterans to pursue all worthwhile occupations that lead to gainful employment.

The key thing that I am looking for today from both agencies is honesty on where the program stands today and assurance that all problems are being resolved.

It would be a tragedy if we do not help veterans take advantage of this opportunity.

I hope that both agencies understand how important it is that we place a veteran in every slot.

I welcome this opportunity to hear what preparations have been done so far by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (Labor) to implement the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program.

Thank you for this good legislation and thank you for holding this hearing.

I have not seen anything myself in the news or, you know, on TV, you know, about this program.

I heartily support the idea of moving to more trade and less aid.

We have some concerns regarding the anticipated implementation and potential negative impact on institutions resulting from Executive Order #13607.