Honoring Our Nation's Veterans

Dear Friend,

On this Veterans Day, I ask that you join me in honoring and celebrating the brave men and women who have fought to defend our freedom. As we take this day to reflect on their service and sacrifice, let us also renew our promise to veterans by pledging to honor them through word and action every day.

Just as our veterans and military families honor us every day with their service to our country, our commitment to honoring them should not wane once Veterans Day has come and gone. Just as our veterans' commitment to protecting our country does not fluctuate with the political climate in Washington, neither should Washington's commitment to them.

While we can never fully repay our veterans for their service, we must honor our commitment to them by providing the support they were promised. I am proud to have served in a Congress that has kept that promise by taking unprecedented steps to improve veterans' health care and education benefits.

Since 2007, Congress has increased funding for veterans health care by nearly 70 percent, the largest increase in the 78-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This additional funding improves the quality of care and expands services for millions of veterans around the country. I was proud to join my colleagues in passing legislation that addresses the needs of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan by providing them an additional three years of free VA health care and expanding mental health screening and testing to treat disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the signature injuries of today's wars.

To ensure our troops have the tools they need to succeed after they have returned from the front lines, Congress passed landmark legislation to improve and expand educational opportunities for veterans. Last August, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which guarantees that returning veterans have the opportunity for a full, four-year college education, went into effect.

In my first term in Congress we have taken important steps toward fulfilling our commitment to our nation's veterans, but much work remains. I will continue to support our veterans through legislative action in Washington and here at home by assisting with specific needs of veterans living in my district. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (773) 267-5926 if you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance resolving issues with the VA. It is an honor to serve you in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Mike Quigley
www.quigley.house.gov