 |
Photo by James Carroll |
WASHINGTON (April 1, 2008) - Speaker of The House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi credited The American Legion today for helping create a more responsive Congress on issues pertaining to veterans.
“Thank you for your magnificent leadership in doing justice for veterans,” Pelosi told the approximately 1,000 Legion family members gathered at The American Legion’s 48th Washington Conference. Pelosi’s remarks were delivered during the “Commander’s Call,” a rally in which The American Legion heard from distinguished guests including House Minority Leader John Boehner,VA Secretary James Peake, Sen. Richard Burr, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Rep. Chet Edwards.
Pelosi, who was presented with a recognition award from National Commander Marty Conatser for her work in securing an additional $11.8 billion for the VA budget, said that The American Legion has been a valuable resource for educating Congress about veteran issues, “We listened to you,” she said. “You’ve come to Washington to make your voices heard and when you speak we listen. Paying our debt veterans is a priority for us.”
“On the battlefield, we leave no soldier behind,” Pelosi said. “And when they do come home, we leave no veteran behind.”
Edwards was also honored by The American Legion, receiving the Distinguished Public Service Award for his work in the appropriations process. “I am profoundly grateful for this honor. It is one that I will treasure for as long as I live,” Edwards said.
Boehner made the case for victory in Iraq. “There certainly has been a cost to this war and it is a human cost that dwarfs any economic cost,” said the Ohio Republican. “The life of every American soldier is a precious, precious gift - and we have paid that cost dearly, in the form of 4,000 brave American lives. The Americans did not die in vain. They died for freedom. They died to liberate an oppressed people. They died to protect the people of the United States of America against an enemy whose ultimate goal is the destruction of innocent American lives. To suggest America should now abandon the cause or which these 4,000 Americans fought and died - instead of finishing the job and ensuring our troops return on success - shows disrespect for the sacrifices our troops and their families have made for five long years.”
Following the Commander’s Call, hundreds of Legion family members walked the halls of the U.S. Capitol, meeting with their senators and representatives to discuss issues ranging from the Flag Protection Amendment to the VA budget. American Legion recognition awards also went to Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Robert Byrd and Rep. David Obey for their roles in the fiscal 2008 VA budget.
Comments (6)
I don't know why any veteran would trust Pelosi. She want's to raise our taxes and give amiesty to all the illegals, destroy our military. That is just a few of the things she has in mind.
Posted by Tommy Brown | 04/02/08 6:21 PM |
Pelosi backs cutting and running from our troops fighting in the war on terror in Iraq. I never would have invited her to speak at a Legion Event.
Posted by Ed | 04/03/08 8:53 AM |
This women is very pro illegal immigrant
Posted by Joe Domhan | 04/03/08 10:06 AM |
With Awards going to N. Pelosi and H. Reid, two of our veterans biggest foes, I'm sure glad I didn't have to be in the audience when they were presented!! Makes me wonder what kind of recognition our "friends" got at the Spring Meetings??
Posted by Jim | 04/03/08 3:29 PM |
I don't get it. Speaker Pelosi gets more money for veterans' services than any other speaker in memory, yet somehow she is our enemy. On the other hand, the Administration and its "starve-the-beast" lapdogs in the VA are destroying the VA, yet somehow they are our friends. I must say, some of my Legion comrades employ very strange logic. True, she says she doesn't support the war, but she has not cut off money for it, and she clearly supports the troops once they are home. Whaddya want?
Posted by Paul Cox | 04/04/08 12:33 AM |
As ole Ronald Reagan once said, "Trust but Verify". How can we trust a woman whose own political party has shown the propensity to divest itself from maximizing funding, and lacking in both physical and emotional support of American Troops in combat and elsewhere?
For example: the Democratic lead leadership in Maryland took away over 1 Million dollars in Maryland Veteran Funding and instead gave it to an organization called “Casa De Maryland”. This is an organization that openly and proactively protects and funds Illegal Aliens hiding out in America.
Posted by Michael W | 04/08/08 4:25 AM |