Today: Obama Receives Endorsement from Only Iraq War Veteran in Congress and Addresses VFW
Congressman Patrick Murphy Endorses Obama while Obama vows to Keep “Sacred Trust” With America’s Troops and Veterans
CHICAGO, IL – Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA), the first and only Iraq War Veteran to serve in Congress, announced today his endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President. Congressman Murphy’s endorsement comes as Senator Obama addresses the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Kansas City, MO today. Obama will discuss his agenda to ensure that America’s military continues to be the strongest fighting force in the world, and to make certain we honor our nation’s sacred trust to care for veterans and their families.
“When I returned from Baghdad, I saw that we needed to go in a new direction -- both here at home and in Iraq. I am inspired by Senator Obama's call to service and believe he is best suited to bring about the changes we need in our country,” Murphy said. “Senator Obama truly wants to unite America and speaking as a former Captain in the 82nd Airborne Division, I know that he has the judgment we need to be our next Commander-in- Chief.”
Congressman Patrick Murphy deployed twice after 9/11, first in Bosnia (2002) and then in Baghdad (2003-2004). He also taught constitutional law at West Point. In Congress, he has worked with Senator Barack Obama, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, on the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007 to stop troop addition and develop a plan to redeploy American troops.
“I’m honored to have Congressman Murphy’s endorsement,” Obama said. “Congressman Murphy is a part of the new generation of American leaders that’s bringing a fresh voice to our nation’s capitol. He knows that we need fundamental change in our politics and our foreign policy if we want to make the progress America so desperately needs.”
In an address to the 108th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, U.S. Senator Barack Obama today articulated his plan to keep America’s sacred trust with our active duty servicemen and women and our veterans, rebuild our overstretched military, and develop the capabilities we need to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Barack Obama believes that America hasn’t been keeping its sacred trust with our servicemen and women and our veterans. We haven’t been giving our troops the support they need when they’re fighting overseas or when they return home. And we aren’t keeping faith with our veterans after they transition to civilian life. Barack Obama has been a leader on veterans’ issues in the U.S. Senate, and the plan he outlined today for our veterans includes a reformed 21st-century Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides vets with reliable, accessible services and maintains zero tolerance for vets falling into homelessness.
Obama’s comprehensive plan to support our troops and veterans includes:
Deploying troops on predictable rotations and at an appropriate state of
readiness.
Improving mental health screening and treatment at all levels,
from enlistment, to deployment, to reentry into civilian life.
Building a
21st-century VA to serve our veterans and fully fund the VA medical center.
Ensuring that veterans receive the very best health care without having to
travel long distances or get on long waiting lists.
Establishing a
world-class Actuary and Planning Division at the VA to work with the Pentagon to
anticipate the needs of the 21st century’s veterans.
Enforcing zero
tolerance for veterans falling into homelessness.
“We enter into a sacred trust with our veterans from the moment they put on that uniform”, said Obama. “That trust is simple – America will be there for them just as they have been there for America. As a candidate for the presidency, I know that I am running to become Commander-in-Chief – to safeguard this nation’s security, and to keep that sacred trust. There is no responsibility that I take more seriously”
