Political Quotes

“This is a daunting time to be on the floor of the House during Defense Appropriations, and I add my appreciation to the chairman and to the ranking member for the bipartisan approach with which they have treated our men and women. As we speak, there are soldiers who have left our soil, and they are in Iraq protecting our men and women at our embassy. There is never a time that we do not call upon our soldiers to stand and to defend our Nation or our citizens. My amendment recognizes that. My amendment is a budget-neutral amendment. It adds $500,000 by reducing another account by $500,000 for an emphasis on PTSD, for outreach toward hard-to-reach veterans, especially those who are homeless or reside in underserved urban and rural areas. Let me congratulate the committee for its hard work in recognition of the crisis of PTSD, but let me also cite that Houston is the third largest military retirement community in the United States, exceeded only by San Antonio and San Diego, California. {time} 1615 Houston is the second highest military recruiting district in the United States for all Armed Forces, to include the Coast Guard, and many return back to Houston. Twenty-three percent of the Houston adult homeless population are veterans, and nearly 2,500 men and women. I see them every day in my district. I have several homeless facilities that are particularly for veterans. As I interact with them, I see the clear signs of PTSD.…”