Chaz Karidis of Madison County, Illinois, had dreams of being a husband and a father. His family said he wanted to be a good role model for his younger brother. Sadly, those dreams came to an end in November of 2013 when Chaz's mom, Kari…

This issue hits very close to home for me after the VA National Center for Patient Safety surveyed the Marion VA Medical Center.

Unfortunately, the VA continues to fall short on that promise due in part to failures in human resource management and operations.

I do not know of any health care system that would hire or promote an individual to manage and oversee a human resources department without requiring a college degree.

The mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs is to care for those who shall have borne the battle.

HR 5693 gives much needed choice and personal agency back to these brave men and women who have selflessly sacrificed for our nation.

Unfortunately, VA continues to fall short on that promise, due in part to failures in human resources management and operations.

I also rise today and feel it is very important that we recognize and remember that today is D-day, but also that 100 years ago today was the battle of Belleau Wood in the First World War, where the Marines earned the title of Devil Dogs…

Thank you for taking the time to be here today.

I spoke to a graduate student at the University of Central Florida, and I asked, what does this program mean to you? And he looked at me with tears in his eyes, and he said, I was able to bring my veteran back to life.

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of title I, add the following: SEC. __. COST AND BENEFIT FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT. (a) Cost…

I wish to thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for their support of the amendment. The purpose of this amendment is to help local communities recover from flood disasters. Under current law, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers…

Thank you so much both of you for what you do. And when you say that we need to make sure that our veterans--that their history is not forgotten.

Ensuring that those who have selflessly raised their right hand in defense of the Nation receive the honorable and respectable final resting place they deserve is the priority of The American Legion.

That is wonderful because it has an unbelievable potential, and I know you will do well with that.

What is the status on the restoration of the Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Philippines?

I thank the gentleman for his support of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment…

I also want to recognize today someone who works in my office that everyone looks up to, because he is so tall, is my chief of staff, and it is his birthday, Matt McAuliffe. Happy birthday. ____________________

On May 25, we celebrate National Poppy Day. After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists said the growth was because the soil in France and Belgium became enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. From the dirt…

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 225 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 226. Amendment No. 43 Offered by Mr. Engel The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment offered…

Where is the accountability? At what point do start looking at your employees and when they fail at a job, do we not--we either get rid of them or we demote them.

This is a must-pass bill. Many disabled veterans and their families depend on their veterans' benefits to pay for things like food and medicine. For many of these veterans, these payments are a lifeline. In some cases, these benefits may…

I have got a statement here and, Dr. Clancy, I want to see where you think this should go.

There are times when we are called upon to simply do the right thing. I hope any colleagues will consider the Stop Underrides Act and help end needless preventable deaths.

In 2008, several congressional Members sent a letter to then VA Secretary James Peake, expressing their concerns about an appointment of Dr. Peter Almenoff.