Supporting the goals and ideals of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

I also rise today in support of H. Res. 963, supporting the goals and ideals of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, and for other purposes. I would like to thank my colleagues Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Miller of Florida for sponsoring this timely piece of legislation.

The President has designated this week, February 11 through 15, as National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week. This week provides the American people the opportunity to thank a special group of men and women, the more than 98,000 veterans of the United States Armed Forces, who are cared for every day by the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, outpatient clinics, domicilaries, and nursing homes across this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution specifically shows the support of the United States House of Representatives for the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Program and its efforts to pay tribute to and express appreciation for these hospitalized veterans. The resolution also seeks to increase community awareness of the role of VA medical centers, and to encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and become involved as volunteers. The resolution also encourages citizens who live near a VA hospital or clinic to just take time to visit and thank our veterans personally.

During my visits with veterans at the Gainesville, Florida VA Medical Center and my trip this past year to Ramstein to visit the troops at the hospital, I have also been inspired by the courage and honor that is displayed by these heroes. You will walk away feeling a whole lot better than when you came in, because you're so proud of what they've done.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, this resolution assures our Nation's veterans that we in Congress will continue to work with veterans service organizations to support our veterans with words, actions, and financial assistance.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 963.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me conclude and extend my thanks to Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for not just bringing this resolution to the House floor but also the two previous bills. These reinforce Congress' commitment to serving America's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 963) supporting the goals and ideals of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, throughout the Nation's history, we have relied on the patriotism, valor, courage and unselfishness of those who wear the uniform of the Armed Forces. With this service comes the real possibility of receiving an injury in answering the call to duty. The global war on terrorism is no exception. To date, over 31,000 servicemen and -women have been wounded in action and nearly 4,000 killed.

For 30 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has designated the week of February 14 as the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week. The goals of the program are to pay tribute and express appreciation to hospitalized veterans, to increase community awareness, and to encourage individuals to become involved at their local VA as volunteers.

The VA's Voluntary Service is the largest volunteer program in the Federal Government. Over the past 60 years, VA volunteers have donated more than 689 million hours of service worth an estimated $12.9 billion. In fiscal year 2007, 85,428 active volunteers contributed a total of more than 11.6 million hours of service, equal to 5,574 full- time employees, worth $218 million.

Let's not forget those who have fought for this country in their time of greatest need. Join me in recognizing and paying tribute to the hospitalized veterans. I challenge each and every person to go visit their local VA medical center and brighten the smile on a veteran's face.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 963.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to unanimously support H. Res. 963, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.

The Department of Veterans Affairs facilities care for over 98,000 veterans every day.

The veteran organizations in my district are extremely active in visiting and volunteering to help hospitalized veterans being treated in the surrounding medical facilities.

I would like to recognize the contributions of our local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans posts, as well as the Korean War Veterans, Vietnam War Veterans, the Polish Legion of American Veterans and the Brooksville Elks Lodge. The efforts of these groups pay tribute and express the appreciation of a grateful nation, not only to hospitalized veterans but to every man and woman that has ever worn the uniform.

The contributions of volunteers go a long way, but we in Congress need to reaffirm our commitment to providing veterans with the facilities they need to get the care they deserve.

I am pleased to see that in this year's budget the President included $120 million for the new VA Medical Facility in Orlando, FL, on the Lake Nona site. This new facility will provide acute care, complex specialty care and advanced diagnostic services through a hospital, an outpatient clinic, a 118-bed nursing home, and a 60-bed domiciliary.

I was also pleased that the President's budget included funding for the expansion of the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center.

This funding will help to improve the facilities and the scope of services available to our severely wounded veterans at the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center.

I hope my colleagues will join me in voicing their commitment for the future funding needs of these important projects.

Madam Speaker, due to events in my district I will miss votes on February 14, 2008. Had I been present, the Record would reflect the following votes:

H. Res. 982, providing for the adoption of H. Res. 979 and H. Res. 980, contempt of Congress resolutions, ``yea.''

H. Res. 966, honoring African-American inventors, past and present, for their leadership, courage, and significant contributions to our national competitiveness, ``yea.''

H.R. 1834, National Ocean Exploration Program Act, ``yea.''

S. 2571, to make technical corrections to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, ``yea.''

H. Con. Res. 289, honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 99th anniversary, ``yea.''

H.R. 4169, American Braille Flag Memorial Act, ``yea.''

H. Res. 790, commending the people of the State of Washington for showing their support for the needs of the State of Washington's veterans and encouraging residents of the other States to pursue creative ways to show their own support for veterans, ``yea.''

H. Res. 963, supporting the goals and ideals of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, ``yea.''

H. Res. 972, supporting the goals and ideals of American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day, ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 963, supporting the goals and ideals of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.

National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week this year is February 11th to 15th, and so it is appropriate that we are here today to pay tribute to those who have put their lives on the line for our Nation's freedom.

H. Res. 963 supports the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Program and the program's efforts to express appreciation to hospitalized veterans for their efforts and increase awareness of the importance of Veterans' Affairs medical centers throughout the country. The resolution also supports the program's work to encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and volunteer their services.

Mr. Speaker, for centuries our brave service men and women have given their utmost to ensure our liberty here at home. We owe our soldiers an eternal debt of gratitude, and giving our support to hospitalized veterans and recognizing their service as we are doing today is one important step toward paying that debt.