Political Quotes

“I want to thank the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Sinema) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek) for convening this important discussion this afternoon. As I am sure we agree, we need to continue shining a light on the epidemic of veteran suicide so we can push to improve the resources available to the brave men and women who have served our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I come from a region of Illinois called the Quad Cities. For more than two decades, my seat was held by one of the strongest advocates for veterans who has ever worked in these Chambers. I am talking about the late and the great Congressman Lane Evans. Congressman Evans was a veteran of the Marine Corps who served this body from 1983 all the way to 2007. I was proud to call him my friend. As a veteran, he understood the challenges that many of our returning heroes confront after they come home. Congressman Evans was a tireless advocate for expanding resources to our veterans and providing the mental health services that many of them need to make a successful transition back to civilian life. Today, after more than a decade of war, this generation of veterans faces a new set of challenges. We have an obligation to those who have served our Nation. As my friend, the gentlewoman from Arizona highlighted earlier in her remarks that an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every single day. That is nearly one every hour. And we all know the statistics driving this epidemic.…”