The Honorable Ellen Tauscher's Speech Before the Democratic National Convention Thursday, July 29, 2004 /EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UPON DELIVERY OF SPEECH, SCHEDULED FOR 5:36 PM EDT TODAY, JULY 29/ BOSTON, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of The Honorable Ellen Tauscher's speech before the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, July 29, 2004: Good Evening, I am Representative Ellen Tauscher, from California's Tenth Congressional District - home of Travis Air Force Base, where there are thousands military personnel and their families doing their part to keep America strong. One of our nation's greatest challenges is to maintain a strong national defense. We need a fully equipped, expertly trained, and well compensated military. We need a military sized to protect America and our allies - with the capability to intervene where our interests may be threatened. And we need a president who has the experience and the knowledge to use the military not because we want to, but because we need to. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know that John Kerry will be that president. His brave service in the Navy gives him the experience to understand the challenges that confront a nation at war. He is committed to maintaining a military that can meet our needs today and is prepared for challenges of the future. And his dedication to the men and women of America's armed forces is unwavering. John Kerry understands that we must make smart decisions about the size of our force. John Kerry will win the war and the peace in Iraq by equipping our troops properly, and not stretching them too thin. Because we cannot continue to overburden our National Guard and Reserve. These brave men and women are our communities' first line of defense, serving at home as police, firefighters, and EMTs. We need them at home in our cities, keeping us safe. John Kerry knows that our troops deserve the best equipment and supplies available. Every combat vehicle should be outfitted with the most advanced protective armor before it goes to hostile war-zones. John Kerry knows that our military be well paid for their hard work. Yearly across-the-board pay raises are vital to troop morale and should continue to increase. And John Kerry knows that a healthy military is the first step to an expertly trained military. The Pentagon should administer quality and comprehensive health screenings prior to deployment. John Kerry has a plan for our Armed Services that strengthens our military and will set us on the right path to a strong national defense. With John Kerry as president, we will have a stronger and safer America. God bless our troops and God bless America. Thank you Source: Democratic National Convention Committee CONTACT: Peggy Wilhide of the Democratic National Convention Committee, +1-617-366-3100 Web site: http://www.dems2004.org/