June 11, 2007 On behalf of the Association of the United States Army, I write to thank you for your unwavering support of our nation’s military men and women, especially our wounded warriors, disabled veterans and survivors. We particularly appreciate your efforts as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations in favorably voting $43.2 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for FY 2008, an increase of $3.8 billion over the President’s request and $6.7 billion over FY 2007 spending.
The House of Representatives must endorse the funding level approved by your Committee. This extraordinary level of funding gives the VA vital resources to adequately address the health care needs of the men and women who have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation. It also will allow the VA to expand its efforts to effectively tackle the enormous and rapidly growing claims backlog.
The Association of the United States Army urges all members of the House to honor and support a new generation of heroes by passing the VA appropriation for FY 2008 at the level approved by the full Committee on Appropriations. GORDON R. SULLIVAN General, USA Retired