Thomas Daschle: “I am proud and pleased that today the Senate has voted to authorize a memorial in our Nation's Capital to honor disabled…”

“I am proud and pleased that today the Senate has voted to authorize a memorial in our Nation's Capital to honor disabled American veterans. I must say that it is humbling for me to be a co-sponsor of this bill alongside some of the very people we are honoring--my fellow Senators Max Cleland, Daniel Inouye and Bob Kerrey. I know there are thousands of others across our country--some of whom I know personally--and they deserve much more than a monument. They all have had their lives disrupted, sometimes painfully, as a result of their willingness to fight for America and all that it stands for. But we cannot undo the damage to limb and spirit that has already been inflicted. So we now authorize a permanent monument that will call attention to the special esteem we hold for our disabled veterans-- living and dead. It is my sincere hope that we can create a singular commemorative site that will encourage all Americans to come, pause, and reflect on the meaning of sacrifice, patriotism, and the place of disabled citizens in our society.”