Press Release 11/10/16

WASHINGTON, DC — On Nov. 10, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement in honor of Veterans Day, which is held each year on November 11th.

“On Veteran’s Day, Americans across the country salute our brave men and women in uniform who have sacrificed so much for our nation. We renew our pledge to make sure that their service and sacrifice are never forgotten and remember that every day America is safer because of the veterans who have come before us and because of the men and women who serve today.

“On Veteran’s Day we renew our commitment to the 22 million veterans living all across America, including the nearly 2.1 million active duty troops and reservists currently serving in our Armed Forces. I am proud to represent the more than 28,000 veterans living in New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District. As a nation, we must fulfill our commitment to make sure that our veterans have the tools and resources to live healthy and successful lives.

“I am proud of the positive steps we have taken to help veterans with the support they deserve. As of June 2016, more than 2.6 million veterans, service members, and eligible spouses are active VA home loan participants, and more than 22 million VA home loans have been guaranteed under the GI Bill since 1944. One in ten small businesses in the U.S. are veteran-owned small businesses, and since the Post 9/11 GI Bill was enacted we’ve seen over 1.67 million veterans and family members pursue their education. I am also proud to see Rutgers University ranked second in the nation in a recent poll of best colleges for veterans.

“But we have more work to do. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to remove existing barriers to quality health care delivery and technology provided by the Veteran’s Health Administration and ensure access to resources for caregivers of our wounded warriors is increased. We must work to get the number of homeless veterans, which has already been cut in half since 2010, to zero. We must also address the alarming rate of veterans’ suicide and continue to expand job opportunities for returning veterans. As President Obama said in his final State of the Union speech, ‘If you want talent, if you want dedication, if you want to get the job done, then hire a vet.’

“Our veterans make our country proud and we honor their sacrifices and their bravery. With respect and gratitude, I will continue to pledge to leave no veteran behind.

“To our veterans, thank you for your service and sacrifice.”