Honoring America's Veterans

Statement

Today, I take pause from my campaign to remember the tremendous sacrifices made by New Mexico's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Airwomen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Coast Guardswomen, and all of our brave Servicemen and Servicewomen. They committed themselves to serving this country and protecting the freedoms we hold so dear.

Earlier this year, I sponsored a bill that was passed unanimously by the Albuquerque City Council to build a memorial honoring the brave New Mexicans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Congress, I won't ever forget the commitment our country has made to honor the service of our veterans. On the battlefield, our military is committed to leaving no soldier behind. I pledge that in Congress, I will make sure that our country leaves no veteran behind.

I will make sure that all of our veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, are taken care of when they get home. I will fight to improve veteran's health care, pensions and benefits to make sure that our country properly honors and respects the service they've given to us.

Earlier this year, the deplorable conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center were brought to light. Our wounded veterans - especially those returning from our most recent conflicts - must never again have to cope with those kinds of conditions in hospitals on American shores.

The Democratic Congress is working to provide the largest increase to the Veterans' Administration budget in its history to help them provide the services to the hundreds of thousands of new veterans that will need their help. This funding will be used to, among other priorities, address the immediate health care needs of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and restore and upgrade VA medical facilities that have fallen into disrepair.

While some progress is being made, we still have more work to do. To make sure that we get the job, we must elect leaders to Congress that will stand up and fight for those veterans who stood up and fought for us.

In Congress, I will be a friend of New Mexico's brave veterans and I commit myself to doing everything I in my power to provide them with the services they need.

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