For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 10, 2007
President's Radio Address
音频下载 THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend, Americans mark
two important dates in our Nation's history. On Saturday, we
celebrate the 232nd birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
And on Sunday, we celebrate Veterans Day -- and give thanks
for all those who have worn the uniform of America's Armed
Forces. The Marine Corps was born in a Philadelphia tavern in
1775. Since then, the Marines have become one of the world's
premier fighting forces. Their courage and valor in battle have
earned them the respect of friend and foe alike. And today,
a new generation of Marines is writing another chapter in
that proud tradition. Young Marines are serving on the front
lines in the war on terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around
the world. As the Marines celebrate their birthday, we join
them in recognizing what their sacrifice and service has
meant for our freedom. America owes a debt of gratitude
to all those who have served in our Armed Forces. On
Veterans Day, we remember those who have served in
previous wars, those who are serving today, and those
who did not live to become veterans.
Veterans Day also reminds us of our solemn responsibility
to care for those who have fought our Nation's wars.
Under my Administration, Federal spending for our veterans
has increased by more than two-thirds. We have extended
medical treatment to a million additional veterans, including
hundreds of thousands returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
And we have expanded grants to help homeless veterans
across the country. These are the generous actions of a
grateful Nation -- and to build on them, I nominated a
good man to head our Department of Veterans Affairs:
Doctor James Peake. Doctor Peake is an Army doctor,
a retired lieutenant general, and a combat veteran who
was wounded twice in Vietnam, and decorated for his
valor. When confirmed by the Senate, Doctor Peake will
take on an important task -- continuing my Administration's
work to implement the recommendations of the bipartisan
Dole-Shalala Commission on Wounded Warriors. These
recommendations are vital to ensuring better care for our
veterans, and Congress needs to confirm Doctor Peake so
he can lead the way in this crucial effort. Some of the
Commission's recommendations require legislative action,
such as updating the disability system to fully meet the needs
of our wounded warriors. So my Administration has sent
Congress a bill that would enact all the legislative steps
recommended by the Commission. This is a good bill,
our wounded warriors and their families are counting on
it, and I urge Democrats and Republicans to come together
to pass it as quickly as possible. Congress can also meet its
responsibility to our veterans by passing a clean Veterans
Affairs appropriations bill. Unfortunately, Congressional
leaders let the fiscal year end without passing this bill they
know our veterans need. So I urged Congress to pass this
bill by Veterans Day -- and they still have failed to send me
this vital legislation. The time to act is running out. There are
now just four days left on the legislative calendar before
Congress leaves town for their Thanksgiving break. The
best way members of Congress can give thanks to our
veterans is to send me a clean bill that I can sign into law.
On this Veterans Day, I urge every American to take time
to thank one of our Nation's 24 million veterans. They
come from different generations and different backgrounds.
But they are united by a commitment to honor, duty, and
love of country that has kept America free. They continue
to strengthen and inspire our Nation. And we will never
forget what we owe them. Thank you for listening.
最后由 dwg2007 于 2007-11-16 08:51:38编辑 |
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