Washington, D.C. -  Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32) issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day.

"Throughout history, our veterans have served our nation with great distinction and the utmost respect.  Today we give thanks to those who have contributed so much to the defense of our country, both in times of peace and war in peace and war, and commemorate the selfless actions and courageous efforts of the service men and women that have protected this country and the freedom we hold dear.

"Our service men and women continue to risk their lives in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.  Over 2,800 lives have been taken as a result, including 11 from the district I represent in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. These include: Private First Class Jose Casanova Jr, age 23, Lance Corporal Manuel Ceniceros, age 23, Lance Corporal Francisco Martinez Flores, age 21, Sergeant First Class Kelly M. Bolor, age 38, Lance Corporal Benjamin Gonzalez, age 23, Corporal Jorge Gonzalez, age 20, Sergeant Atanacio Haro-Marin, age 27, Specialist Leroy Harris-Kelly III, age 20, Corporal Stephen Johnson, age 24, Corporal Rudy Salas, age 20, and Marine Corporal Carlos Arellano, age 22. Our community also recently lost Army Specialist Matthew Creed.

"I am committed to improving the quality of life for veterans, military retirees and active-duty service members.  For this reason, I am proud to be a sponsor of the "GI Bill for the 21st Century," comprehensive legislation to honor the contributions of those who have served in the Armed Forces. Sixty years ago, we honored the Greatest Generation through the first GI Bill of Rights. Today, we should continue to honor the service of our soldiers through the GI Bill for the 21st Century. The new GI bill will improve will provide better education, health care, and job training benefits for those who have answered the call to duty.

"I have also introduced legislation to ensure that veterans and their families, including those with limited English proficiency, are eligible to receive culturally and linguistically appropriate counseling. Recently, I joined with my colleagues in taking steps to ensure the financial health of our veterans and military families are not harmed as a result of the VA's data security lapses and cosponsored legislation protecting veterans and service members from identity theft and other harm.

"Just two weeks ago our community celebrated and honored our nation's most decorated female veteran, Lillian Kinkela Keil. Just as we did then, today let us renew our efforts to keep our promises to our veterans. I will continue fighting every day to end the widows’ tax, increase veterans’ home ownership, improve education benefits, guarantee job training, and ensure that the families of those who serve this country are taken care during their time of need. Our veterans should not have services denied or delayed – they kept their promise and we should keep ours."