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I hope the mods here don't mind for me this is personal I have worked with this veteran over the years. He has to step down because of the same illness Mike Fox has. I will miss him but more every veterans will miss this fighter for us. May his family be taken care and may Lane get the rest he needs.
As many of you know, I am retiring at the end of the 109th Congress. I do so with mixed emotions and fond memories.I am humbled by the outpouring of good wishes from my colleagues,constituents, veterans and friends around the country.I am proud of my efforts on behalf of service members, veterans and military families. However ,I fully recognize that any accomplishments were only possible due to the support I received from my brothers and sisters in the veterans' community; for this, I am eternally grateful. These friendships, and the encouragement and the strength that came with them, have carried me through significant challenges, both legislative and personal, buoying my spirits and intensifying my resolve to fight for veterans' rights and protections.
I am proud of what we have done together and I look forward to what awaits fruition, including what I believe is the most critical issue affecting veterans-- reforming the budget process and providing guaranteed, on time annual funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. I strongly believe that the foundation we have laid on this and dozens of other issues will empower those who come after us to carry on the fight to improve the lives of all veterans and their families and make every day, Veterans Day.
At the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, on the eleventh month in 1918 , the guns fell silent, ending World War 1. It was the origin of a sacred ritual wherein the Nation would annually come together to mourn, honor and commemorate the lives lost in battle and service of all who wear the uniform. The Nation will again gather on Nov. 11th to honor the men and women who have sacrificed so greatly to protect us and secure our precious freedoms. How appropriate that we exercise one of the most precious, electing our leaders, in the same week we honor those who presented that gift to us.
There is more but I will post that Nov 11th in Honor of this Veteran who is leaving Congress we shall miss him with all our hearts. Today I ask you to kick this for My Brother Veteran and Friend.
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