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

This is smart stuff.

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

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

The men and women of the reserve components take the same oath to serve and protect our country as the active component.

For those who have completed 20 years or more in the reserve component but have not served a qualifying period of Federal active duty, we honor their service with similar benefits given to active duty military retirees.

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

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

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

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.