{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1073", "Congresswoman Tsongas statement on Veterans Day", "2013-11-11", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Niki Tsongas", "T000465", "tsongas.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Tsongas statement on Veterans Day\r\n\r\n\tLOWELL, MA\u00a0\u2013 November 11, 2013 \u2013 Congresswoman Niki Tsongas released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOn Veterans Day, we recognize, with gratitude, all Americans who wear, and who\u2019ve worn, the uniform of the United States of America.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIn particular, we honor the 3rd district\u2019s proud tradition of service to our country. We are home to generations of veterans who have, without hesitation, answered our country\u2019s call and have returned forever changed from their experience of war, deeply committed to our country\u2019s well-being.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am proud to carry with me the legacy of these brave men and women as I serve in Congress; particularly in my service on the Armed Services Committee, where I have dedicated my efforts to ensuring our troops have the necessary resources to remain safe, effective and elite.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAs co-chair of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, I take seriously my responsibility to support Massachusetts military installations and the men and women who make them so vital to our armed services. This region\u2019s deep military tradition has positioned us to play an important role in America\u2019s military future \u2013 a role that is garnering national attention.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIn recent weeks I have visited Natick Soldier System Labs to see the cutting-edge technologies they are developing to help protect our servicemembers. Last week, Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh visited Hanscom Air Force Base and MIT\u2019s Lincoln Labs with me to see their innovative work firsthand. And in coming weeks Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno will visit Massachusetts to learn more about the essential development happening here at places like Natick.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cHere in Massachusetts we\u2019re utilizing our world-class academic institutions, advanced industry partners, and two of the nation\u2019s leading federally funded research and development centers to explore and create the resources necessary for our soldiers to return home safe and successful.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhen they do return home, America has made great strides to support the 22 million veterans nationwide and the more than 370,000 right here in Massachusetts.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe modernized GI Bill restores the promise of a full, four year college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe have worked to address the outrageous shortfalls in military and veteran\u2019s health care by increasing funding for quality veterans\u2019 health care, including mental health care, by more than 40 percent since January 2007.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cBut there is much more to be done, especially when it comes to clearing avenues to jobs and other vital resources that our veterans need to transition to civilian life. The VA and Congress, especially on the Armed Services Committee, also continue to explore solutions to our military suicide epidemic.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAs our nation continues drawing down our military involvement abroad and more American heroes return home, it is more important than ever for there to be a strong support system for military families.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAnd, we thank the families of those who serve.\u00a0 Their support, bravery, and patriotism make possible the personal sacrifice that is at the heart of military service in a time of war.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cBut, words of honor are not enough.\u00a0 It is incumbent upon those of us in Washington to honor those who serve with laws that meaningfully support our service members, veterans and their families.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAcross the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC is the message, freedom is not free.\u00a0 The freedom we enjoy is the result of the sacrifices of our veterans.\u00a0 We are the beneficiaries of their courage, their sacrifice, and their vigilance; and so are countless people around the world.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis is why today is reserved for our veterans.\u00a0 We must seek out the war stories of what today\u2019s veterans have seen and heard so that we are ever mindful that our decisions to commit our nation to war are our most solemn, asking for great risk and sacrifice by those who answer the call.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1073"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8364079985767603, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}