MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

On 2026-05-14, Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH" in the House.

MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)] [House] [Page H3461] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH (Mr. Subramanyam of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, this Military Appreciation Month, we honor those who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces and those who continue to wear it today. We celebrate veterans and their families who carry the burden of war with them and the American servicemembers currently standing watch in dangerous and uncertain places around the world. Every day, they choose duty to their country over comfort. I was proud to begin this Military Appreciation Month at the Top of Virginia Honor Flight sendoff, standing by the veterans whose service helped shape our Nation's history and preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today. As we honor those who serve and have served our country this month, we also need to ensure that our veterans receive the care that they deserve. This includes mental health support for those who carry the invisible wounds of war. That is why I was proud to announce the Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemembers Fairness Act to extend PACT Act benefits to those who returned to work in the Pentagon following the 9/11 attacks before it was safe. That is why I have spoken out about cuts to the VA and threats to veterans' disability benefits. That is why I am pushing for legislation to ensure surviving spouses have the resources they need. Military Appreciation Month is about more than just celebrating service. It is also about honoring those that still serve today, supporting veterans who sacrificed so much for this country, and making sure America keeps its promises to the people willing to risk everything to defend it. Uyghur Forced Labor Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, for years, the People's Republic of China has carried out and operated a vast network of forced labor against ethnic minorities. More than 1 million Uyghurs, in particular, have been detained since 2017. Most have been forced to work in labor camps. More must be done to combat this practice of forced labor. The Uyghur community in my district has told me terrible stories of family and friends in China being forced to work long, strenuous hours or face brutal punishment or torture in detention camps. Unfortunately, many U.S. companies purchase products produced by these forced labor camps. Many Americans don't understand that our phones, clothes, and daily products could all have parts made from that forced labor without us even knowing. That is why I am joining Representative Moran and Representative Carson in introducing the Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act. The bill is straightforward. It requires companies to review and disclose whether any of their products have been produced with Uyghur forced labor. The American people deserve to know if what they buy is a result of forced labor, and this legislation is a step towards stopping those terrible practices. As President Trump heads to China this week to meet with President Xi Jinping, he must take this opportunity to highlight human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities during this trip. Let's put an end to forced labor and pass this bill. Recognizing National Police Week Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize National Police Week. We celebrate it by honoring the brave law enforcement officers who serve our communities across the country and the great work that organizations do to support them. That includes Federal law enforcement, like the U.S. Capitol Police who keep the entire Capitol Hill complex safe. I especially thank the law enforcement personnel in my community, including all of our men and women who serve in our town and county sheriff's offices and police departments all across northern Virginia and Shenandoah. We are also grateful for airport, metro, university, and State law enforcement officials who help protect our community in so many ways. This is also a time to honor law enforcement that we have lost, officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, like Ashley Guindon, a Prince William County officer who was shot and killed on her first day 10 years ago. Every year, an average of 57 police officers are killed by suspects. Far too many, at least 184 public safety officers, die by suicide each year. As we honor and remember servicemembers we have lost, let's continue to support our commitment to law enforcement officials and their families. It takes all of us to keep them safe too. I thank all of law enforcement out there. ____________________