Tim Walz

I am here to speak in support of H.R. 679, Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act.

I would like to thank Chairman Runyan and the group of bi-partisan Members of Congress who introduced this bill with me.

I support this bill but understand the reservations concerning moving the envelope on what type of service accords veteran status.

It is about duty, honor, country, and respect.

This bill is not about financial benefits. It is about what I consider to be a simple oversight that they do not have the legal ability to call themselves veterans of America's Armed Forces.

I may be somewhat biased, but I am incredibly proud of this Committee and the work you have done.

This is smart stuff.

I think the implications are generational and we have never crossed that path and I think we may have to of what are the implications on the children of these exposures.

When we figure this out, let us know so we can apply it to this Congress, then we will get things going.

I think Dr. Roe summed it up right. I don't think any of us have seen the level of services being provided by the VA.

I appreciate it. Thank you all for being here, as always, your services and most importantly, thank you for being there every minute of the day for decades to make sure we get this right and bring this expertise to it.

I think it is important that we understand that it is the outcome that matters, effectiveness is what matters, and we have got to look at this.

I see no mention of long-term TBI rehab provisions that came out of the Lejeune Act.

I think it is important for this Committee, though, to maybe gently remind them they are not the first people to think of it.

I am hopeful now that the public understands the need to care for our veterans.

90 percent of species are recovering at the rate specified by their Federal recovery plan.

We need to make sure there are not onerous burdens put on land owners. But we also have to ask the question; do we wish to have biodiversity and protection of species and to what extent?

Not being included in this ESA working group puts up unnecessary partisanship where it doesn't need to be.

This Committee has a long, storied history of bipartisanship. We have proven we can do it.

The Florida Panther's recovery plan is 114 years long. It doesn't mean the ESA is a failure.

ESA is not perfect, but I also think when I see some of the language coming up that only one percent of species have been delisted.

If we can put a man on the moon, we can certainly ensure that veterans receive the benefits they've earned in a timely fashion.

We can't allow these challenges to prevent us from delivering timely care and benefits to our returning servicemembers.

If we are to be successful we must work together to achieve a claims system that lives up to the service and sacrifices of our veterans.

I am appreciative of your service. I am appreciative of the Chairman and the Ranking Member for not giving an inch on this issue.