This Veterans Day, we pause to remember the noble service and tremendous sacrifices of those who have worn our nation's uniform. 

First officially recognized by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 who proclaimed November 11 our nation's first Armistice Day, this special day of remembrance and rededication originally marked the one year anniversary of the cease fire agreement that brought an end to World War I. Thirty-five years later in 1954, President Eisenhower broadened the observance as Veterans Day.  From that day forward, our country observes November 11 as a day to pay respect to our nation's veterans of all wars. 

This Veterans Day holds additional importance because it marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Veterans Administration, now the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).   

While I am proud of the VA and the benefits and health care services this grateful nation provides our veterans and their families, I am concerned that if we do not remain vigilant in support of the VA and the veterans it serves, we will fail to uphold our nation's sacred commitment, best articulated in 1865 by President Abraham Lincoln in his second Inaugural Address, ".to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan ." 

One way for our nation to fulfill our commitment to our servicemen and women is by Congress passing the "New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century."  More than 60 years ago, Congress enacted the original legislation to provide World War II veterans with needed medical assistance, educational benefits and loans to buy a home.  The new GI Bill would build upon the commitments of the past to address the current needs of our veterans and of those returning home from the theatre of war. 

The new GI Bill would help reduce the long waits for appointments at VA hospitals and the unacceptable backlog of disability claims by significantly increasing funding for veterans' health care and mental health care services.  Currently, more than 50,000 veterans are waiting up to six months for veterans' health care.  This problem will get worse with the growing number of returning service members from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.  In fact, next year, the VA expects to treat 5.2 million veterans - double the number cared for in 1995.

The New GI Bill would also provide members of the National Guard, the Reserve and their families with military health care coverage.  In addition, the measure would provide enhanced educational benefits to help veterans acquire the marketable job skills they need to begin a new life. 

I will continue to work with my congressional colleagues to gain final passage of this important measure.  As the wife of a 10-year Marine and Vietnam veteran, I know personally how important these programs are to all our veterans.  . 

On this Veterans Day, let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans, their families, and especially the loved ones of service members who gave their lives in defense of this nation.  The New GI Bill of Rights is a meaningful way to thank them for their sacrifices and their patriotism on behalf of all of us.  For as a free and democratic nation, we are truly and forever in their debt. 

(Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard's office offers a wide variety of services to the community, including financial aid workshops, a service academy workshop, a scholarship directory, a community health fair and constituent casework services to assist district residents in resolving problems with federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.  More information about federal services can be obtained by visiting Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's web site at www.house.gov/roybal-allard or by calling her district office at (213) 628-9230.)