Chet Edwards: “a young President, a veteran of the Greatest Generation, once reminded the world that Americans would pay any price…”

“a young President, a veteran of the Greatest Generation, once reminded the world that Americans would pay any price, bear any burden in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. His, the generation of John F. Kennedy, understood that all Americans had a moral obligation to support those who have paid the greatest price and borne the heaviest burdens of war--our troops, our veterans, and their families. That's why the original GI Bill was passed in 1944. Today, 64 years later, with the strong leadership of Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Obey, Congress is renewing its moral commitment to those who have served our Nation in uniform. Amendment No. 2 in this bill includes a 21st century bill of rights, a GI Bill of Rights that will open the doors of our colleges and universities to our troops, our veterans, and their families. We also commit $396 million to improve VA polytrauma centers, which are providing critical care to the most severely wounded troops. With respect to health care needs of our troops and their families, we fund $863 million in amendment No. 2 to begin a desperately needed modernization of outdated military hospitals.”