John Bel Edwards: “for the past 14 years, I have had the privilege of representing the largest U.S. Army installation in the world, Fort…”

“for the past 14 years, I have had the privilege of representing the largest U.S. Army installation in the world, Fort Hood, an installation that has sent over 40,000 brave American soldiers to fight in Iraq. That is why I am so deeply offended and shocked that the Under Secretary of Defense in this administration, the Under Secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, Dr. Chu, was quoted in today's Wall Street Journal as saying, in reference to programs funding military retirees and veterans, ``The amounts have gotten to the point where they are hurtful. They are taking away from the Nation's ability to defend itself.'' I am appalled, Mr. Speaker, and I believe veterans and military retirees all across this country have a right to be offended that the Under Secretary of Defense in this administration would say that the very men and women who risk their lives and sacrifice greatly to defend our Nation are responsible for hurting our Nation's ability ``to defend itself.'' It is a wrong statement. The truth is that veterans have kept their promises to our Nation and now our Nation has a moral obligation to keep its promises to those who have served our Nation in uniform. The truth is, Mr. Speaker, that respecting the sacrifices of our veterans in responsible ways with quality health care and decent benefits is not only the right thing to do, because our veterans have earned those benefits, it is the smart thing to do.”