Congresswoman Barbara Lee honors veterans and those still serving
Listen to this articleWashington, D.C. – “As the daughter of a veteran who served in World War II and the Korean War, I am deeply grateful to our men and women in uniform and their families, who make tremendous sacrifices on a daily basis. American veterans and service members honorably carry out their duties for our country, and in return they deserve our full support. Yet despite their heroic actions, veterans continue to face tremendous challenges when they return home, including access to quality housing, health care, education and persistent poverty. As a nation, we must come together to address to these challenges.
“When our heroes return home, it is Congress’ duty to create sustainable jobs, provide affordable housing, guarantee high quality health care, and help keep food on the table for our veterans and their families. That is why for nearly two decades, I have fought in Congress to protect and defend the programs that help our veterans, including men and women of color, who have also served this country with courage and conviction.
“This Veterans Day I am mindful of the fact that service members of color have historically been underappreciated and unrecognized in our country. I still recall my father’s stories about serving in the Army when it was still segregated. In many ways, the remnants of racism and discrimination continue to impact veterans of color. This must change. As a nation, we must do more to recognize and support veterans of color who are disproportionately left behind. I was pleased to see Congress finally recognize the sacrifices of Filipino veterans during World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal this year. This was a step in the right direction, but more must be done to uplift our veterans and ensure that their service is recognized and commended.
“For the last two Congresses, I have had the honor of serving on the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, where my colleagues and I fund projects that provide a high quality of life for our service members and provide benefits for our veterans. I look forward to continuing this important work to ensure that the brave men and women who have served in uniform receive the care and support they deserve from the federal government.”
