Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the chairman of the full committee for his bipartisan work again on this important bill to restore and strengthen the employment and reemployment rights of those who have served in our country's Armed Forces. I also want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Benefits, for introducing this legislation last year. The bill brought to our attention the need to restore the employment and reemployment rights of State employees following a 1996 subcommittee decision that had the effect of terminating their rights. I also want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn), chairman of the subcommittee, for introducing this bill before us today, H.R. 3213, which incorporates several important provisions to protect the rights of our servicemembers. Federal law must assure that the appropriate remedies are available when violations of employment or reemployment rights to servicemembers threaten our Nation's ability to obtain and attract a strong military force. Federal law protecting employment and reemployment rights for servicemembers has been in effect since the days before World War II. By passing this bill, we are fulfilling our duty to provide for the common defense of our Nation.”