To the Chairman, the Gentle Ladies and Gentlemen of this committee. Mr. Chairman On behalf of Greene County Gatekeepers, we are very appreciative of your leadership and stewardship during this budget process, and we are very thankful for your prior support and retaining Sen. Bryce Reeves budget Amendment request for $3M for Greene County’ impoundment (reservoir), this now lays the foundation for the citizens of Greene County to have access to water during drought conditions, but it also means that our schools will have safe clean drinking water during emergency situations. Again thank you to this committee and budget confrence members.

During numerous combat tours, Veterans like myself made promises to each other that we would take care of those left behind should we fall or be wounded in combat. Unlike promises made here in this assembly, this promise actually means something and it is why I speak to you today. It is why I remind you of a promise this body made years ago when it enacted the Virginia Military Survivor and Dependents Education Program. Should this year’s proposed budget pass without amendment the Virginia Survivor and Dependents Education Program will be gutted. Surviving spouses and children of our nations fallen and wounded will largely be left out of program that was key to their decision to make Virginia home after service. It will create large economic hardship for many, and it will destroy the chances of higher education to many or our nation’s most patriotic citizens. Perhaps this is by design. Passing this budget and breaking the promises of the Virginia Survivor and Dependents Education Program will also show Veterans and future generations of Veterans that promises made by government are not to be trusted as they can and will be revoked as easily as the winds change. This body as one of the oldest governing bodies in our Nation has had the likes of George Washington once grace its presence. I can almost hear him whispering in the ears of all of you the dangers of abandoning promises to its Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardians, and Marines. I can almost hear him whispering to those in this body who themselves are veterans and asking why you have been so silent in supporting your fellow Veterans and their families. I can hear him whispering that party politics and agendas have taken your tongue and your actual freedom to represent your constituents and fellow Veterans. I implore you all to consider this as you vote today, and I ask you that if you pass this to personally call the spouses and children of those who have fallen or been wounded to explain why you have taken this program away from them. God Bless America and God Bless those who have actually served her.