Ann Marie Buerkle

Congress has already recognized that federal procurement laws and regulations do not always work for the personalized health care...

The United States is the greatest country in the history of the world and it is because of the service and the sacrifice of the men and women who serve this country and who have served this country.

Every day that goes by without a wheelchair or without a prosthetic, shame on us, shame on this country.

I beseech you to ensure VA respects the autonomy of their physicians and the preferences of veterans...

Future generations are going to look at you for your devotion to creating a free China.

And I want to thank the chairman for his steadfast pursuit of human rights throughout the world.

I do not believe that the VA can do it alone. We need to partner.

The very least we can do as a country is to make sure that they get what they need.

As a Nation, we owe them a debt of gratitude, and I appreciate your efforts on their behalf.

The responsibility of each one of us to 'care for those who have borne the battle' has never felt so poignant.

I think it's very important to recognize that you, as the Attorney General, with all due respect, need to be held accountable.

How many more Border Patrol agencies would have had to die as a part of Operation Fast and Furious for you to take responsibility?

We urge this Subcommittee, the full Committee and the entire Congress to fully support the VA and Dr. Kemp in their important efforts by funding them at the highest levels possible.

Suicide in America today is a public health crisis.

I would like to think that there is no lack of will to get to the root of this problem and to get our veterans the services they need to avoid these suicides.

What leads an individual who honorably served our Nation, out of helplessness and hopelessness, to take their own life, and how do we prevent such a tragedy from happening?

Suicide among veterans is an absolute crisis. Depression can be fatal. Excessive drinking or drug use can be fatal.

We need to convince veterans that seeking help for mental illness and substance abuse problems is a sign of strength not weakness.

The keys to improving these statistics are reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, encouraging help-seeking behavior.

Suicide in America today is a public health crisis.

Suicide is never the right answer. If you are hurting, hope and help are available to you at any time.

I find this unacceptable, especially given NIMH's partnership with the Department of Army to administer the largest study on suicide and behavioral health in the military.

Suicide is undoubtedly a complex issue, but it is also a preventable one, and I am deeply troubled by its persistent prevalence in our military and veteran communities.

I think that is a waste of taxpayer money.

We owe a debt of gratitude to our military, to the men and women who serve this Nation and keep us safe.