Joe Heck Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 11/11/11

Joe Heck Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 11/11/11 Podcast of the address: Download MP3 for PODCAST || FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT BELOW. || VIDEO will be embargoed until Saturday, November 12 at 6:00 a.m. EST, at which time it will be available here for viewing and downloading. Download Video || MPEG Video || MP4 Video

Washington (Nov 11) Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV), an Army reserve physician, pays tribute to America’s veterans and highlights bipartisan efforts to help them find work in an economy struggling to create jobs. Rep. Heck, whose home state of Nevada has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, talks about how we owe it to our veterans – and all Americans – to find common ground “to make certain our nation remains great and worthy of our veterans’ sacrifices.” Rep. Heck, a colonel in the Army Reserve with more than 20 years of service, in his first term representing Nevada’s Third Congressional District.

“Hello, I’m Congressman Joe Heck from the great state of Nevada.

“As an active member of the Army Reserve for more than 20 years, I have a deep appreciation for my fellow servicemen and women, as well as their families. On Veterans Day, we consider the debt of gratitude we owe all these brave patriots for the sacrifices they’ve made so that we may live free.

“I’ve deployed three times in my military career, most recently in 2008 to western Iraq, where I was running the emergency services section of a combat support hospital.

“One night, we got the call over the radio from a helicopter saying they were coming in with a Marine who had been shot. We got ready and waited. About two minutes out the radio crackled again and the medic on the helicopter said they’d lost him. Still, we did everything we could. We were unsuccessful. He was 20 years old.

“After the nursing staff carefully washed away the desert sand and dirt of battle, two of my medics came in with an American flag. I’m not sure where they got it – it might have come off the flagpole in front of the hospital. They proceeded to gently drape the Stars and Stripes over the body. They then took up a position of parade rest at the foot of the bed and stood there. And stood there, and stood there.

“Four hours later, I said, ‘You guys need a break.’ Their answer was, ‘Sir, never leave a fallen comrade.’

“Such is the caliber of the men and women we call ‘veterans.’ They’ve left stories like this all over the world. Love of country inspires them to serve, and looking out for one another is their highest priority on the battlefield. We can all learn a lot from that.

“So whenever you meet a veteran or see a young man or woman in uniform on the street, please take the opportunity to say ‘thank you.’ It’s the least we can do. And it’s how we keep the spirit of Veterans Day alive all year round.

“There’s more to it than that, of course. We owe it to our veterans to ensure they come home to a strong economy, so they can transition into civilian life and support their family with a good paying job.

“Last month, the House of Representatives passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act, which would provide training and assistance to unemployed veterans, and break down bureaucratic barriers preventing them from finding work. It’s smart legislation that members of both parties support, and I’m pleased the Senate passed it.

“We have a lot more to do. The House has passed several bipartisan bills to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to secure a good job to provide for their families. All of these jobs bills deserve the support of our Senators and a strong show of leadership from the president. Because with unemployment still much too high, we just can’t wait to take bipartisan action that will help put Americans back to work. Together, we can rise above politics to make certain our nation remains great and worthy of our veterans’ sacrifices.

“God bless our military and the country they so gallantly serve.”

VIDEO CREDIT: HouseConference

IMAGE CREDIT: Congressman Joe Heck Washington, DC. 132 Cannon HOB. Washington, DC 20515. Phone: (202) 225-3252. Fax: (202) 225-2185. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM Eastern time.

TEXT CREDIT: Speaker of the House John Boehner Contact H-232 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 P (202) 225-0600 F (202) 225-5117

AUDIO / VIDEO FILES CREDIT: The House Republican Conference - Digital Communications visual.media@mail.house.gov 202-225-5439