Senate Proceeding on Jul 15th, 2009 :: 1:52:00 to 1:56:10
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1:51:56 to 1:52:16( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: legislation, and it is important legislation, will be faced with a dilemma of choosing betwe a bill which can harm, in my view, the united states of america and its defending the nation. i don't think that's fair to any meer of this mr. president, i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator

1:52:00 to 1:56:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Ensign

1:52:17 to 1:52:37( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: mr. ensign: mr. president, yesterday senator brown and i introduced bipartisan and commonsense legislation as both an amendment to the national defense authorization act and stand alone bill. this is not the first time we have worked together on legislation.

1:52:38 to 1:52:59( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: i'd like to recognize and thank the junior senator the bipartisan manner that both he and his staff have done on this particular issue. in addition, i would like to thank the nevada office of veteran services and the national association for veterans homes for bringing this matter to our attention.

1:53:00 to 1:53:20( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: as stated, our legislation is both bipartisan and commonsense. currently, an individual is allowed into a state veteran's home if the individual is, one, an eligible veteran; two, the spouse of an eligible veteran; or, three, a gold star parent.

1:53:21 to 1:53:41( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: the problem, though, the way that the department defines "gold star parent." under current regulations an eligible parent is one that has lost all of their children while serving i know it doesn't make sense

1:53:42 to 1:54:04( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: that is the definition. as a consequence, state veterans homes are forced to deny admission to gold star if they have any surving children. losing a child in war is a stunning and life-altering events for anyone. senator brown a for these families having one

1:54:05 to 1:54:25( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: child make the supreme sacrifice in service to our country is sacrifice enough to authorize the care in a state veterans home later in life. our legislation would change this permit entry into a v.a. nursing home to any parent who lost a son or

1:54:26 to 1:54:46( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: while fighting to protect our freedoms and hour very way of life. as most people are aware, state veterans homes were founded for service members following the american civil war. they h that our veterans and

1:54:47 to 1:55:08( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: depend exhave co 150 years. there are veterans home in all 50 states and puerto rico. and on a daily basis they provide rehabilitation, long-term care, alzheimer's care and end of care to approximately 30,000 veterans and dependents. i take this opportunity to

1:55:09 to 1:55:31( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: recognize the nevada state veterans home i the great work they do. u.s. news and world report rated this veterans whom as a five-star facility and the top nursing home in nevada. i think it is only fair that the parents of those who have lost a

1:55:32 to 1:55:54( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: son or a daughter have access to first-class facilities like this. i'd like to thank, once again, the junior senator from ohio and ask my other colleagues to support this important p legislat i yield the floor. i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk

1:55:55 to 1:56:00( Edit History Discussion )

John Ensign: will call the roll.