U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, said Memorial Day should be a time to remember not only those killed but also how we treat all U.S. military personnel. Akaka, delivering the Democratic Party's Saturday radio address, said Memorial Day is special to him as a World War II veteran, and as the ranking Democrat on the Veterans' Affairs Committee taking care of troops and veterans is his top priority.
"In good times and bad, our nation's commitment to those who wear the uniform must never waver," Akaka said. "From the day recruits join the military, through their years of service, to the day they leave this Earth, America has promises to keep." Akaka took the Bush administration to task for "recklessness" that allowed a Veteran's Administration data analyst to take home a computer disc containing personal information from some 26.5 million veterans -- only to have it stolen.
"The administration needs to get a handle on this situation immediately, assist victims in obtaining free credit reports and monitoring and make sure they are protected from financial or other harm," Akaka said.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060526-052824-8338rAs the highest ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, taking care of America's troops and veterans is my top priority. That is why I was shocked to learn the Department of Veterans Affairs not only allowed the names, Social Security numbers, and addresses of 26 million Veterans to fall into criminal hands - but then waited weeks to report the theft. Such recklessness must not be tolerated. The Administration needs to get a handle on this situation immediately... assist victims in obtaining free credit reports and monitoring... and make sure they are protected from financial or other harm. America's veterans gave us their best in service; we must always give them ours.
http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Speeches.Home&month=5&year=2006&release_id=450