WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Americans prepare to celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) released the following statement:
"Every year, Americans come together on Memorial Day to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our country. I'm proud to honor their service, and I hope all my neighbors can take time to think about those sacrifices.
I want to pay special tribute to the more than 5,000 Americans who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. To their families, I offer my thanks for their bravery and service to our nation. And to those Americans who have been wounded in those wars and other conflicts around the world, I want to tell you that you will be taken care of and that you will never be forgotten.
I'm proud that since 2007, Congress has increased funding for veterans' health care and other services by $23 billion. We've added 17,000 new doctors and nurses to the VA system and we've ended the ban on enrolling modest-income veterans for VA health care.
I will continue to use my seat as vice-chair of the Military Construction-Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee to make sure we're taking good care of our veterans.
We may pay special attention to our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, but I promise that every day Congress keeps the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers in mind, and we strive to live up to their examples."