On the recordJune 25, 2012
let me begin by thanking the chair of the Senate veterans committee for her incredible leadership on one of the most tragic issues of our times--the suicide rate among active-duty personnel in our Armed Forces, and especially among veterans. Last week I spoke to the Disabled American Veterans in Columbus. I hear these same issues all the time, particularly among men and women who are sent for their second, third, fourth, and fifth deployments. One veteran, active in the DAV, told me about an Ohio soldier who has had a seventh deployment. That is not what we should be doing, and so I appreciate Senator Murray's leadership. I am a member of that committee--the first Ohioan to ever serve on the veterans committee for a full term--and I am on this committee because of these problems. So I am thankful for the leadership we have on that committee and for what Senator Murray has done. I remember when I was presiding some years ago, and she was talking on the Senate Floor about her dad, who is a veteran, and I know that is a big part of why she does what she does. I thank the Senator from Washington State. ____________________
