Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 4812, the Honor Flight Act, which honors our World War II veterans, who have sacrificed much for this country, with a small but significant token of gratitude. H.R. 4812 requires the Administrator of the Transportation Security Authority to ensure expedited and dignified screening for veterans travelling through airports on special chartered flights to visit war memorials built in their honor. The Honor Flight program was created in 2005 by Earl Morse, a private pilot and former physician's assistant at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Morse realized the depth of his patients' desire to visit the newly-built World War II Memorial. However, he realized many of these patients lacked the financial resources to pay for the long trip on their own. Mr. Morse understood what seeing this memorial meant to his patients, so he found a way to facilitate them having that opportunity. The average soldier in World War II was 26 years old, making many of them in their nineties today. Long airport lines and invasive TSA procedures are tiring for anyone. For our soldiers who fought in war 40, 50, and 60 years ago, especially those now in wheel chairs, it is arduous. Sadly, these long and frustrating security protocols often discourage veterans from making these wonderful and meaningful journeys. Mr. Speaker, our World War II veterans have done their duty. It is our duty now to reduce the hardship they might face in any way we can.…”