Birmingham, AL – As America prepares on Memorial Day to pay tribute to the brave men and woman who laid down their lives in defense of this country, Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement recognizing their sacrifices: 

“On this Memorial Day, we once again recognize and pay tribute to the incredible dedication and bravery of men and women who chose to defend our country, and in doing so, gave their lives in order to uphold the freedoms we all enjoy. We as Americans owe our continued liberty and independence to these men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield. As festivities commence this Memorial Day, it is important that we remember how extraordinary our Armed Forces are in maintaining our great democracy.

“Let us also never forget the families that mourn the loss of loved ones and those who have returned home yet face ongoing challenges. Even as war continues around the globe, those who fight on our behalf and those who support them back home, make the American dream a closer reality with every passing day.  It is because of these selfless sacrifices that our veterans and their families should always be a priority and the benefits they have rightly earned should never be in question. Their commitment to upholding our freedoms requires that we do no less for them.

“As we assemble for backyard cookouts and family gatherings, let us remember that our democracy and the freedoms we share are not republican or democratic issues, they are not conservative or liberal ones, they are uniquely American values. For that reason, we should all be proud!”

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.