Chair man of the House Veterans Affairs committee. Youre watching live coverage on cspan 3. After hearing from myself, chairman blumenthal and acting Ranking Member heller, id like to ask all other Committee Members to waive their Opening Statements. There is going to be an opportunity for remarks following testimony today. Hearing no objections so order. Its an honor for me to be here this afternoon with so many dav members and i thank you all for coming to the hill once again. Due to the hard work and dedication of vavs 1. 4 million members, especially dav Service Officers, veterans are provided with professional benefit counselling and claims assistance and transportation to and from Va Health Care facilities. Dav also assists with Transition Assistance Services and onsite care at military treatment facilities, Va Medical Centers and clinics and at home. Thats just to name a few of the many programs that you, dav, provides every single day. Ive witnessed many of these efforts first
Serviceconnected disability compensation, safe and High Quality Health Care and prompt access to earned benefits. It demands that in dealing with the department of Veterans Affairs, veterans be treated with the dignity and professionalism that is earned through Honorable Service to our nation. The need for oversight is crucial. But it is the need for accountability that is paramount. Speaking directly to th must set the example. True leaders lay out clear expectations, putst others in positions to succeed, they follow through, and most importantly hold themselvess accountable for their actions of the follow me. That is the motto of the infantry. Yet those word can be easily translated to okayizational leadership at va. When there is a mission to be accomplished those who put themselves on the line are the leaders that others want to follow. And, it iacs a lack of accountability that corrodes trust within a chain of command. That said, an undeniable, widespread, simtic lack of accountab
Intelligence threats, cyber terrorism, and edward snowden. This is a little more than an hour. This is a list you do of accomplishments of a man and i have to recite them but i will go really fast. He was a white house fellow and he had the experience of working with the National Security council with such deadheads as Henry Kissinger whats the generals name . General brent snowcroft. He had three major positions in the senate including being the Administrative Assistant chief of staff, International Policy advisor to chris dodd. And a stint with robert byrd, one of the great characters of american politics. There are few companies he did not touch. Im sorry. He had such power that he moved their headquarters from texas to greenwich, which was quite amazing. He was assistant dean of the Fletcher School of law and policy and director of communications for the number one position or place in intelligence in the United States of america. Most recently as the Communications Director of the
You and knows not to ask questions so thank you. Out will make today about the Intelligence Community. Some threats and challenges. Id have to talk about the snowden controversy. I would like to talk about the way forward and invite some questions. Connecticut has produced its fair share of heroes. When i was in washington, i was invited to the cia to speak to groups and do orientations and explain what the Intelligence Community does. Outside of the headquarters is in an auditorium and that stands the statue of their patron saint from connecticut. After you give a speech like that, a connecticut guy outside, it is kind of moving. On the statue artist in his words i only regret that i have but one life to give for my country. Nathan hale means a lot to people because some of them do give their lives. Some names who you and i will never know have done that and he is an inspiration. Very interesting. He went from poverty and went down to new york city and he was discovered because he was
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