Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 3936, the Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act of 2004. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) again for his leadership on these issues. Every time we try to do something good, his name is always in the forefront of the action. I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) who came to our committee, has done great work as the subcommittee ranking member obviously through helping not only the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) but all veterans across the board. If we gave Medal of Honor awards to Members, he would certainly be given one. I want to thank everybody for developing this legislation. We have accomplished a lot. Of particular interest to me is the establishment of the capital asset fund to help renovate some of the VA's most underutilized facilities. The VA needs to meet construction priorities in order to maintain a health care system infrastructure that will be called on increasingly as our service men and women return from Iraq with physical and psychological disabilities. I am also pleased that the legislation will permanently allow the VA to provide sexual trauma counseling to those men and women who have experienced such trauma.”