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Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that it is his hope that this Memorial Day we will stop to remember those who have sacrificed so much for our liberty, peace and freedom, especially American Samoa’s veterans.
“In 2005 and again in 2009, USA Today reported that the sacrifice of American Samoa in the Iraq war was disproportionate to the territory’s small size, as residents of the territory were 15 times more likely to be killed in action in Iraq than residents of the United States as a whole,” Faleomavaega said.
“In honor of American Samoa’s veterans and their service in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and every war since WWII, I want to pay tribute to them this Memorial Day and publicly thank our military men and women for their service.”
“From 2007 through 2010, the Democratic-controlled Congress made historic progress for veterans, including the enactment of the new Post 9-11 GI Bill which restores the promise of a full, four-year college education. The Democratic-controlled Congress also strengthened health care for more than 5 million veterans by providing the largest single increase in the history of the VA for more doctors and nurses, better access for rural veterans, and expanded efforts to treat the signature injuries of the war, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury.”
“The Democratic-controlled Congress also gave troops a pay raise and made available increased funding for better equipment and training in an effort to restore military readiness. We also strengthened support for military families and, this week, in a Republican-controlled Congress, Democrats introduced the Heroes for Hiring Act, which will help men and women in uniform obtain good jobs when they come home.”
“Regrettably, in just five months since taking control of the House, Republicans have already voted against mortgage relief for veterans, service members, and Gold Star wives at risk of losing their homes. But I have every confidence that our nation will come together and pledge to leave no veteran behind. Our military men and women and their families deserve the support of a grateful nation and, once more, I want to thank American Samoa’s service members, both active duty and our veterans, for their sacrifice. God bless them. God bless their families, and God bless the U.S.A.,” Faleomavaega concluded.
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![[United States Congress]](congress.gif)
