John Cornyn: “I appreciate Senator Burr's leadership on this issue. I, too, express my appreciation, and I have to say our two…”

“I appreciate Senator Burr's leadership on this issue. I, too, express my appreciation, and I have to say our two Senators from Hawaii are beloved by all Members of this Senate and people whom we respect enormously, as well as the Senator from Alaska. My father was a veteran of World War II, and the service each of these veterans has provided for our country and for our freedom and security is something we can never thank them for enough. I agree with Senator Burr that this bill is largely a very good bill, and I am proud to have contributed some provisions that helped enhance veterans' benefits, primarily by cutting redtape that would allow disabled Active-Duty Military personnel to get housing benefits before they officially retire from Active Duty; making family members eligible for housing grants if they are caring for a wounded warrior--and I especially want to recognize the good work of Rosie Babin, the mother of Alan Babin, of Round Rock, TX, who brought this to my attention, and so now we have this provision--and ensuring that burn victims are eligible for housing grants--and this is an area where I want to recognize the work of Christy Patten, the wife of Everett Patten, from Kentucky, who was hospitalized at the Brooke Army Medical Center with burns he received from an IED, and I thank them for the help they provided me in working with the Veterans' Affairs Committee to make sure they were provided for here.”