Political Quotes

“And still I rise. Tonight, I rise to express my gratitude to many persons who have caused us to have this opportunity. I thank Chairman Smith for his service and what he has done and Ranking Member Rogers, the members of the Committee on Rules, and the members of the Committee on Veterans Affairs. Madam Speaker, I rise to say that I do support the NDAA. I understand the need for a strong military, but I also rise tonight with an appeal for some compassion, compassion and, to a certain extent, mercy for our veteran merchant marines. I ask for this compassion because they didn't get some of the benefits that others did. Let me just read the words, if I may, of President Roosevelt. On June 22, 1944, these are his words when signing the GI Bill: ``I trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of the Merchant Marine who have risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of our country.'' Congress did not provide similar benefits for the merchant marines. As a result of Congress not doing so, most people don't know that the merchant marines were denied benefits within the GI Bill, denied the stipend for the cost of living, books, and supplies as it relates to education, denied tuition-free education, denied unemployment benefits, denied medical benefits, denied low-cost guaranteed loans, denied opportunities. Madam Speaker, I appeal tonight for those who are still surviving, all of whom are in their nineties.…”