Soldier-Statesmen Founder Thomas J. Ratcliff congratulated Congressman John Boehner (OH-8) on his election to the position of Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives earlier today.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 2, 2006 -- The Soldier-Statesmen organization extended its congratulations to Congressman John Boehner (OH-8) on his election to the position of Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives earlier today.
“Just as he volunteered for duty in the United States Navy during a tumultuous time in our nation’s history, today Congressman Boehner volunteered to help lead his party and the body politic in a critical epoch in human history,” said Thomas J. Ratcliff, Founder of The Soldier-Statesmen. “Moreover, in a time of all-too-frequent political, corporate and social scandal and corruption, it is vitally important that honor and ethical leadership be restored to our democratic cornerstones of representative government.”
Ratcliff continued, “Congressman Boehner has shown an unwavering commitment to the citizens of his district, my home state of Ohio, and our nation over the last 15 years as a member of Congress. While there are those political leaders in Ohio and other states who have been embroiled or ensnared in illegal or unethical circumstances, he has consistently fought for reform, ethical stewardship and moral responsibility of those in elected office.”
Congressman Boehner also represents the proud tradition of military veterans answering the call to further public service as civilians. Veteran representation has declined substantially in the United States Congress over the last several decades. In 1975, roughly 70% of members had served their nation in uniform as a soldier, sailor, airman, marine or coast guardsman. However, military veteran representation in Congress today has decreased to roughly 25% and is on continued decline.
“There are organizations like the Veterans for National Security Foundation which seek to reverse the disturbing paucity of military representation in the Halls of Congress,” said Ratcliff. “When federal officeholders vote on paramount issues of national defense and national security on an almost daily basis, it is both important that more of them have a personal understanding of military service as well as possess the innate level of character, integrity and selflessness that typically accompanies such service to community and country.”
“It is incumbent upon those who have served in uniform to step to the fore in civic, political and business leadership as powerful examples of dutiful endeavor while holding others accountable for themselves, their actions and their responsiveness to their constituency. Congressman Boehner did exactly that today and the citizens of Ohio and America can be proud,” Ratcliff concluded.
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