Logan was talking about the Civil War, which claimed the lives of more than 500,000 Americans. He wanted to provide Civil War veterans with a day to pay respects to their fellow soldiers who did not live to see the end of the war, without losing a day’s pay. Doc Hastings Read Quote
In the over two centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, millions of Americans have bravely served our nation in uniform so that all generations can continue to enjoy those same liberties. Doc Hastings Read Quote
The most basic obligation we have to our veterans is that we keep the promises that were made to them. That is what makes the recent failures of the Veterans Administration so shameful. Doc Hastings Read Quote
In mid-May, the House of Representatives approved the full amount of money that the Veterans Administration said was needed for next year – plus an additional $1 billion increase for veterans’ health care. Doc Hastings Read Quote
Now Congress learns that the Veterans Administration failed to provide complete, accurate information on the money it needs for both this year and next year. Doc Hastings Read Quote
In addition to demanding answers and accountability from the Veterans Administration, Congress had to act to ensure veterans do not suffer because of the actions of a federal agency. Doc Hastings Read Quote
As efforts to fix this failure at the Veterans Administration continue, I also intend to persist in demanding answers and action on the establishment of a new clinic to serve the veterans in North Central Washington. Doc Hastings Read Quote
The need for this clinic is clear to me, to the veterans who are currently forced to travel hours to receive care, and even to the Veterans Administration that itself identified creation of a clinic in this part of our state as a priority to be completed by 2006. Doc Hastings Read Quote
Leaving Iraq without military assistance during its transition, and before it is stable enough to ensure its own citizens’ security, would pose a tremendous risk. We must complete our mission. Doc Hastings Read Quote
