Jeremiah Smith: “I am delighted today to rise to discuss President Bush's commitment to strengthening America's national security. I know…”

“I am delighted today to rise to discuss President Bush's commitment to strengthening America's national security. I know this is a matter that is very close to the heart of my colleague in the Chair, the Senator from Oklahoma. President Bush often said during the campaign to the military that 'help is on the way.' It is nice to know that help has arrived. The President is spending this week traveling to military installations to see and hear, for the first time since assuming office, the needs of the military. I can tell you, having just come back a few weeks ago from visiting the troops, marines and sailors aboard the U.S.S. Nassau in the Mediterranean, that they appreciate it when anybody from the Government comes to visit them where they are on location. Clearly, for the President of the United States to go directly to a military facility and look the troops in the eye and tell them that help is coming says a lot about the President. And believe me, it will do a lot for the morale of the military in this country. He is going to be traveling to additional military installations this week to see and hear just what the needs are as those needs are addressed by the men and women who serve. He is committed to address these urgent needs, and specifically pay raises, housing, benefits, and the like. I fully support him in that effort. I believe for the last 8 years our military has suffered.”