Chet Edwards: “As someone born after World War II, it is hard for me to put into words my feeling about the 50th anniversary of D-day.…”

“As someone born after World War II, it is hard for me to put into words my feeling about the 50th anniversary of D-day. As a member of the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I was proud to have been part of the congressional delegation representing the United States there. To meet the veterans of D-day, to hear their firsthand stories, to see the beaches where so much American blood was spilled in the name of freedom--all of this gave me a deepened lifelong sense of gratitude and respect for the courage and sacrifices of American veterans. Mr. Speaker, if there was ever a time to put patriotism above partisanship, it should have been in the commemoration of our World War II veterans. I am saddened and sickened that some Members of this House have chosen to criticize President Clinton for his efforts to ensure that the world would never forget D-day. For the world not to have sent its leaders there to that historic event would have been unconscionable. To those Members who would politicize D-day's anniversary for cheap partisan political publicity, I say to you that you do a disservice to yourself, to this House, and, most importantly, to the men who died on the beaches of Normandy 50 years ago.”