The Nation's Obligation To Her Defenders Is

Twenty-five Million Veterans Are Living Among Us Today. These Men And Women Selflessly Set Aside Their Civilian Lives To Put On The Uniform And Serve Us.

The Men And Women Of Today's Va Are Dedicated To Caring For Today's Veterans And Stand Ready To Provide For Our Servicemembers Who Now Defend Our Freedoms And Our Way Of Life.

Because All Of Us Believe And Understand In The Fabric Of The Common Bond Of Why We Call Ourselves American Is To Care For The Men And Women Who Wear The Uniform; And When They Take Off The Uniform, We Care For Them When They Are Veterans.

Our Greatest Privilege And Responsibility As Leaders Of The House Committee On Veterans' Affairs Is To Provide Our Veterans With A System That Cares For Their Wounds And Ensures That They Have An Opportunity To Succeed.

I Also Believe That Hurricane Katrina Did Reveal A Weakness In Our Energy Supply Systems, Highlighting The Reliance This Country Has On The Gulf Coast For Our Energy Resources.