May 25, 2007 — Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) gave the following statement commemorating our Armed Services in honor of Memorial Day.

“America basks in the sunlight of freedom today because of the courage and sacrifice of our noble soldiers and their families.  We owe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to the veterans who have fought to preserve the precious light of liberty in the past, and to those soldiers who are even now waging a relentless battle with militant jihadism— not because they hate what is in front of them, but because they love what is behind them. 

“General George Patton insisted, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."  To those who have fallen, we renew our commitment to honor their memories, their loved ones, and the cause for which they lived.   To our veterans and to our troops still fighting to preserve this flagship of freedom, we offer our humblest gratitude for your selflessness, your sacrifice, and your noble service.  You will be forever remembered among this generation as champions of human freedom.”

Congressman Franks voted this week in support of the following bills supporting our Veterans:

• H.R. 67 — Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007, allowing states to give grants to local governments that provide veterans outreach services and state agencies that administer outreach programs
• H.R. 612 — Returning Service member VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007, which would amend current law to extend from two to five years, the period of eligibility for service members who served in a combat zone after 1998, to receive hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care without providing evidence that the injury is related to service in the Armed Forces.
• H.R.  1470 — Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, requiring that an existing federal chiropractic treatment program provide its services in at least 75 medical centers by 2009, and in all medical centers by 2011.
• H.R. 2199 — Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007, would establish several new programs relating to the care of veterans who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• H.R. 2239 — Early Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits Act, which would expand eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.