Schakowsky Recognizes Veterans’ Day 2021
EVANSTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, released the following statement in recognition of Veterans' Day:
"Veterans Day is an annual opportunity for the nation to pause, reflect, and thank those men and women from all walks of life who have worn the uniform in defense of our country.
"When individuals sign up to serve our nation in the armed forces, they are committing what are often some of the best years of their lives to serve the greater good. They are committing to risk life and limb to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and protect our nation from its enemies. Their sacrifices are enormous, and I am so grateful for the service of each individual who wore the uniform on our behalf.
"Unfortunately, the burdens on many of our veterans do not end when they receive their discharge papers. Veterans often struggle with the aftereffects of their service for the rest of their lives, working through post-traumatic stress or dealing with injuries that cause suffering every day. Each year, we lose thousands of veterans to suicide.
"Our commitment to these individuals must not end when their enlistment is over. We must double down and ensure that we are providing these veterans with the services and resources that they rely on. We must provide the Veterans Administration with critical funding and continue to work with veterans to see that the VA meets their specific needs in a responsive and effective manner. One way to do so is by passing the Build Back Better Act. The critical piece of legislation includes $5 billion to modernize and improve VA health facilities and speed up claims processing. These investments will have a meaningful and beneficial impact on our veteran population.
"To better protect our veterans, we must also protect other programs that veterans rely on, like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. We must continue to address persistent problems impacting the veteran community like homelessness, suicide, and opioid abuse.
"As a Member of Congress, I remain deeply committed to fighting for our veterans and ensuring that they are not forgotten when their service has ended. I encourage all Americans to take a moment to thank veterans and current servicemembers for their service on our behalf. If you are a veteran yourself, or know one who may need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. My office and I are eager to do whatever we can to assist you."
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