Political Quotes

“it is wrong to be making promises to Iraqis while breaking promises to America's veterans. It is wrong to say Americans can afford to build new hospitals in Baghdad, but we cannot afford to keep open veterans hospitals here at home. This motion is about doing right by America's veterans, veterans such as Robert Armstrong. I met this brave American, a constituent of mine, recently at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Sergeant Armstrong was protecting a children's medical center in Baghdad when a grenade went off close by. He was badly wounded and near death. Army doctors were so sure that he would die that they ushered him out of the Army in order to help his family receive higher death benefits. But Sergeant Armstrong did not die even though his heart flatlined five times and he lost an eye and a leg. In and out of consciousness, Sergeant Armstrong kept repeating the name Mary, Mary, Mary. It turns out that Mary was his 15-year-old daughter, and he had promised her he would come home alive. My wife was with Mary at Walter Reed Hospital when she saw her loving father for the first time in 5 months. His first words to his daughter were, ``Mary, I always keep my promises.'' Mr. Speaker, this motion is about America saying to Sergeant Armstrong that we will keep our promise to you, the promise to provide you with quality health care because of your service and sacrifices for our Nation.”