Mike Doyle: “I rise in favor of H.R. 3376, a bill of great importance to our Nation's veterans. I want to begin by thanking Chairman…”

“I rise in favor of H.R. 3376, a bill of great importance to our Nation's veterans. I want to begin by thanking Chairman Stump for the leadership he has shown. In politics, there is never going to be an unanimity, but he has done a great job in addressing any issues that have arisen in our committee. He has gone out of his way to make sure that every member of the committee, regardless of party affiliation, has had an opportunity to help shape our legislative product. As a freshman in the minority, I want to say that the House Veterans' Affairs Committee should serve as a model to other chairmen as how to run a committee. Also, I want to express my most heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to work alongside the man they call Mr. Veteran--Sonny Montgomery. I just want to say to Sonny that it has been an honor to serve alongside you, and I consider it an awesome privilege to have been your colleague on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. In this bill, we are naming the VA medical center in Jackson, MI, after the former chairman--and I just want to let the chairman know that while members might come and go from this Chamber, that a good name lasts forever. I think it is safe to say that the name of Sonny Montgomery is a good name. There are many reasons to support this bill. Of all our commitments to those who served in our Nation's armed forces, none is more important than the guarantee of health care.”