November 11, 2019

Castro Statement on Veterans Day

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, today released the following statement: 

“On Veterans Day and all days, we must honor the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform and pay respect to the generations before them who defended our freedom. America’s veterans continue to be models of patriotism and courage across the globe, and it is our great responsibility to ensure they have an honorable transition back into civilian life. This includes access to high-quality health care and well-paying jobs, transition support, disability compensation, and educational assistance. Veterans’ issues are one of the few areas that garner consistent bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress, and we must rededicate ourselves to working together to ensure no veteran is left behind. I thank and honor our country’s veterans and their families across my home of Military City USA, Texas, and our entire nation.”

Background: Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to all those who have served in our uniformed services. This federal holiday draws its origins from Armistice Day - created to recognize the agreement that ended the devastating First World War. It was later observed as a dedication to the cause of world peace. Since 1954, we have celebrated this important date as Veterans Day.

Congressman Castro has spearheaded several legislative initiatives to assist with veterans’ transitions back into civilian life following their service. Congressman Castro introduced the Veterans Crisis Line Improvement Act (H.R. 2198), which requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that when a veteran places a telephone call to any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility, the first message a caller hears provides a mechanism by which the caller can quickly and directly connect to the Veterans Crisis Line without ending the telephone call. Congressman Castro also introduced the Family Member Access to Burn Pit Registry Act (H.R. 1001). This legislation would allow for a family member to participate in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry on behalf of a deceased veteran or service member, which is currently prohibited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This would enable family members to document the experience of their loved ones while also helping the government analyze long-term health effects of burn pits exposure. Congressman Castro has also introduced the Burn Pit Veterans Revision Act (H.R. 1005). This legislation would require the VA to amend the schedule for rating disabilities to add a specific diagnostic code and evaluation criteria for obliterative bronchiolitis, a condition that has been linked to burn pit exposure.

# # #