NJ Jewish War Veterans Present Rep. Andrews With Legislator of the Year Award

May 2, 2005

NJ JEWISH WAR VETERANS PRESENT REP. ANDREWS WITH LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

On Sunday, April 17, 2005, I had the distinct honor of receiving the Legislator of the Year Award from the Jewish War Veterans of New Jersey. I am privileged to have the ability to aid our nation's veterans and I remain committed to ensuring that America continues to support and treat our veterans with the dignity and honor they justifiably deserve.

To continue to aid our nation's veterans, I have co-sponsored H.R. 515, the Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act, which would provide for an assured adequate level of funding for veterans health care. The proposed budget for 2006 under-funds healthcare and cuts benefits for our veterans. Specifically, the budget remains short of what is needed to provide services and care to the men and women who have worn the uniform protecting our great country. Consequently, these cuts will result in either new fees or cuts in veterans benefits.

The function of America's government should be to protect the very freedom and values that our nation was founded upon. Our veterans have protected these core values. In turn, we have a responsibility to keep this promise of care to them by adequately funding veterans' programs. As such, our nation's budget should contain balanced priorities to secure vital services for our nation's veterans.

I am grateful for having received the Legislator of the Year Award and commend the NJ Jewish War Veterans for their commitment in serving as a pro-active veteran's organization. Throughout the 109th Congress, please be assured that I will continue to fight for a fiscally sound budget that keeps the promise of care to our nation's veterans so that their sacrifices will never be forgotten and so that their dedication to our great country will forever be recognized.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/nj01_andrews/5_2_05.html