Jerry Moran: “I want to recognize Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Evans, Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Filner, as well as Chairman…”

“I want to recognize Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Evans, Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Filner, as well as Chairman Specter and Ranking Member Rockefeller of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for their leadership and support for this bill, H.R. 801, the ``Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001.'' Mr. Speaker, passage of this bill is a good reminder of why the Nation celebrates Memorial Day. There are many ways that people choose to honor our veterans. A number of veterans' organizations choose to honor the brave men and women who have given their lives for this country by observing a moment of silence. Others choose to visit one of the many memorials built in honor of veterans, and touch the engraved names of their departed loved ones, to feel their presence once again. Those of us here today on the floor of the House have the rare opportunity to honor not only our veterans, but also their dependents and survivors as well, with the passage of this legislation before us today. Often on this floor Members recognize Americans who gave of themselves because of love of country. Today I speak not only in praise of our Nation's veterans but also in praise of their families and their survivors.”