Wounded Warrior Assistance Act Of 2007

Floor Speech

WOUNDED WARRIOR ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - March 28, 2007)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I thank Congressman Hunter. I appreciate your service here in Congress, and I appreciate you being the parent of a veteran who has served in Iraq.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007, a bipartisan bill authored by Chairman IKE SKELTON.

Our men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces deserve the best medical care we can provide. As a 31-year veteran of the South Carolina Army National Guard, with four sons currently serving in the military, I was greatly concerned when learning of the inadequate living conditions our Nation's wounded veterans have been made to endure at Walter Reed Medical Center.

My eldest son served for a year in Iraq and came under enemy fire twice. Had he been injured, I would have expected him to receive top-notch health care which should be provided to every soldier.

While Walter Reed is renowned as a world-class facility, recent management neglected to provide adequate care. We have the best military medicine in world history, saving more lives than ever before and providing for the maximum recovery for patients.

I know firsthand from Major David Rozelle of the successes at Walter Reed Army Hospital for our amputees, where dedicated staff members are so caringly effective helping our troops recover. In fact, Major Rozelle wrote an excellent book, ``Back in Action,'' the inspiring true story of the first amputee to return to active command in Iraq.

I am pleased Congress is coming together to improve the paperwork complications and ensure our military medical system remains the best there is. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill and provide America's brave, injured warriors the care they so deserve.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source