Chairman Takano on Veterans Day: “Our veterans have always believed in the promise of a more perfect union”

RIVERSIDE, CA —  Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day: 

Watch Chairman Takano’s full video statement here.

“Our armed forces have long been a living example of our country’s ‘Melting Pot.’ Throughout our history, men and women, LGBTQ individuals, Native Americans, and members of the Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities have proudly served our country to defend their freedoms, the freedoms of their fellow Americans, and the founding ideals of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. While our country might not have always demonstrated these ideals in practice, these veterans believed in the promise of a more perfect union. That is even more true today.  

“The next generation of veterans is expected to be the most diverse group of veterans this country has seen. It is my hope that by developing a 2030 Vision for VA we can make sure that in the coming decade, the Department of Veterans Affairs is prepared to care for all those who, in the words of President Lincoln, have, ‘borne the battle.’ Already, this Committee has begun this effort by holding hearings to address the barriers veterans from often-marginalized communities face when seeking care at VA.  

“We have worked to make sure VA addresses the specific needs of these veterans, including our country’s 2 million women veterans by passing bills such as the Deborah Sampson Act and the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act. We have worked to expand access to care for our Native veterans – a group that serves our country at higher rates than other demographics – by passing bills such as the Tribal Advisory Committee Act and the Native American PACT Act. We are on the right path to making sure our servicemembers – regardless of gender or background or origin or creed – can return home to an equitable system that is ready to take care of them.  

“Today, we thank our veterans for their patriotism, their commitment to upholding our most sacred ideals, for their sacrifices, and for their continued contributions to our country long after their time in service. Our country may not be perfect, but it is full of promise, and veterans know that’s worth fighting for.”

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