Pelosi Statement on Memorial Day

WASHINGTON, May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in honor of Memorial Day, which will be celebrated on Monday:

"On Memorial Day, Americans across this great nation will honor our veterans and solemnly remember our fallen heroes. In the New Direction Congress, we treat every day as if it were Memorial Day -- our thoughts and prayers are with our troops in harm's way.

"Last weekend, I led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Iraq where we visited with our troops. Our soldiers are performing their duties magnificently and we owe them and their families our gratitude and support.

"The record of the New Direction Congress on veterans' issues is truly historic. Last year we passed the largest investment in veterans' health care in the 77-year history of the VA. Just this week, the House and the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that the President will sign providing $1.3 billion in tax relief to military families, as well as bills that improve VA health care and increase benefits for veterans with disabilities.

"And this month, the House and the Senate passed landmark legislation, a new, bipartisan GI Bill for the 21st Century, which restores full, four-year college scholarships for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. We will work to get this critical bill to the President's desk in early June.

"We are keeping that promise to America's veterans. On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. And when they come home, the New Direction Congress pledges to leave no veteran behind."

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Office of the Speaker of the House

CONTACT: Brendan Daly or Nadeam Elshami, both of the Office of the
Speaker of the House, +1-202-226-7616

2008-05-23 17:00:08 0369931 PRNEWSWIRE