Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Madam Speaker, this week H. Con. Res. 427 passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. This bill would permit the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs. I would like to lend my voice to this memorable event.

Madam Speaker, in 1930 President Hoover signed Executive Order 5398 which established the Veterans Administration a ultimately led to the formation of the Department of Veteran Affairs. The VA (as it has affectionately become known) has strived to both honor and serve the men and women who protect one of our Nation's most treasured ideals-- liberty. For 75 years, the VA has helped ensure that those who choose to enter the armed services are not forgotten after they honorably serve their country.

For this reason, we should celebrate the concept and accomplishments of the VA. Indeed, the VA is a vital cabinet level department, which oversees an honorable and necessary function of the U.S. Government.

The VA has three branches, which aim to provide a smooth transition for veterans when they return home from active duty. These branches-- the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration--should be roundly applauded for their service to America's former servicemen and servicewomen.

Beginning in 1946, the VA's health unit, now known as the Veterans Health Administration, has sought to provide adequate health care to injured veterans returning from war, starting with World War II. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the VHA expanded into a leading health care provider and now has over 150 medical centers across the country. According to the VA, provided care to more than 5.3 million individuals in 2005.

In addition to providing health care services, the VA, through its Veterans Benefits Administration branch, has provided educational services to veterans, beginning with the passage of the GI Bill in 1944. According to the VA, 7.8 million World War II veterans, alone, benefited from educational opportunities that the bill offered. I also applaud the VA for assisting the families of our fallen heroes, the men and women of our armed services who died in combat fighting for liberty. The VA's National Cemetery Administration should be praised for providing memorials to those veterans who died for our liberty.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor for me to have the opportunity to recognize the VA for what is has and will continue to do for our veterans. As a member of the House of Representatives, I always look to support legislation that honors our veterans. On June 27, 2006, the House of Representatives agreed to H.R. 4843, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006. H.R. 4843 increases compensation rates to veterans with service-oriented disabilities, and the House of Representatives should be proud of this great legislation.

But, Madam Speaker, on July 19, 2006, when we commemorate the VA's 75th Anniversary, let us not forget that much more needs to be done to pay homage to our veterans, particularly those who are coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Madam Speaker, the VA reported in August 2005 that almost 23 percent of homeless men and women are veterans. Madam Speaker this percentage is far too high and far too shameful.

On a bi-partisan basis, Congress must work with the Veterans Affairs to right this seemingly forgotten atrocity. The men and women who honorably serve our great Nation deserve not only to be treated as heroes in war; they deserve to be treated as heroe when they return home.

The men and women of the U.S. armed services make it possible for us to debate. Madam Speaker, let us not debate the honor veterans deserve.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 427, authorizing the use of the Capitol rotunda on July 19 of this year for a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs. As my colleagues are well aware, Congress must pass a concurrent resolution to use the Capitol rotunda, the respected location of America's historic ceremonies.

I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana for introducing this resolution.

This event will mark the 75th anniversary of the Department of VA in which Congress will use the historic rotunda location to commemorate the service of the VA professionals who provide Federal benefits to veterans and their families.

On July 21, 1930, President Hoover issued an executive order to consolidate various veterans programs to create the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has grown from an organization of 48 hospitals and 30,000 employees into the Nation's second largest Federal agency. Today, the VA employs over 237,000 professionals, is comprised of 157 hospitals and over 850 community-based clinics, provides pensions and disability compensation to more than 3.4 million veterans, and provides a dignified and permanent resting place at the 120 national cemeteries that honor the men and women who served in our Nation's military.

The responsibility to care for veterans, spouses, survivors and dependents can last a long time. For example, five children of Civil War veterans still draw VA benefits. About 440 children and widows of Spanish-American War veterans still receive VA compensation or pensions. Also currently receiving VA benefits are nearly 160,000 survivors of Vietnam-era veterans and over 256,000 survivors of World War II veterans.

Approximately 63 million people are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans. More than half of the citizen soldiers who have ever served in uniform throughout our Nation's history are living today, 25 million of whom are living veterans to whom we owe the greatest debt for our freedom.

Madam Speaker, this celebration honors our veterans' sacrifice and dignifies the cause they served by commemorating the very people who serve them.

I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the 75 years of dutiful service the Department of Veterans Affairs has provided to our Nation's veterans by supporting passage of this concurrent resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I just wanted to mention, yesterday I had the occasion with Senator Menendez to be at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in New Jersey, which is actually in my home county; and it was amazing to me not only was the memorial such a beautiful place to visit. They had an educational center there, and there were so many veterans that just man the place on a voluntary basis just because of their dedication.

It just shows me how so many years after the Vietnam War, many years after other wars, we still have the dedication on the part of our veterans that just volunteer their time and their service just because they believe so strongly in the cause, and in this case, the memorial that represents the sacrifice of Vietnam veterans.

So I just wanted to mention that in conjunction with this service and the resolution that we are about to pass.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 427, which will

provide the use of the Capitol rotunda for the recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

It is altogether fitting to use the rotunda, which is reserved for only the most special and solemn occasions, to commemorate the establishment in 1930 of an agency charged ``to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.'' Those words, spoken in 1865 by Abraham Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address, have been adopted by VA as the department's motto.

When President Herbert Hoover signed the executive order establishing the Veterans Administration, and consolidating and coordinating federal support of veterans, America had 4.7 million living veterans. The new VA administered 54 hospitals with 31,600 employees.

Today, VA cares for our veterans and their families with 235,000 dedicated professionals who operate and manage the largest health care system in the Nation. These public servants, helped by more than 130,000 volunteers, provide high-quality health care to more than 5 million patients in more than 1,300 sites of care, including 154 medical centers.

The VA provides about 3 million veterans with disability compensation and pension payments, and nearly 600,000 spouses, children and parents of deceased veterans receive benefits.

Our revered dead lie in honored repose in 123 national cemeteries administered by VA in 39 States and Puerto Rico. VA also provides grants to States to encourage the development of State cemeteries; funds have been awarded for 63 operating State cemeteries, and 5 more are under construction.

VA research has won the Nobel Prize and it has been instrumental in developing the CT scan, the pacemaker, and improvements in artificial limbs. The Nation's first liver transplant was conducted by a VA surgeon, and VA has pioneered treatments for schizophrenia, high blood pressure, and tuberculosis.

Many veterans know VA best for its able administration of the 1944 GI Bill. Veterans Administration educational benefits have to date sent more than 21 million veterans, service members and family members to college, many of whom have also used VA loans to buy a home. The GI Bill essentially created the modem American middle class that has brought this country unparalleled prosperity and global leadership.

Today our Nation is engaged in a global war on terror. As they have for generations before them, VA's professionals and volunteers are at their stations in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, offices, and clinics ensuring that our newest veterans and their families have the best support possible.

The contribution of VA and the importance of support for America's veterans were officially recognized on March 15, 1989, with VA's establishment as a Cabinet-level department. Hailing the creation of the Nation's 14th cabinet-level position, President George H.W. Bush said, ``There is only one place for the veterans of America, in the Cabinet Room, at the table with the President of the United States of America.''

Madam Speaker, there is only one place to celebrate the 75th anniversary of this remarkable agency. That is in the rotunda of the Capitol of the United States of America, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 427) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

For three-quarters of a century, the Department of Veterans Affairs has supported the distinguished men and women of our Armed Forces through the many services they offer. Since its inception in 1930, the VA has worked tirelessly to enhance patient care and veterans benefits, providing excellence in service to those who serve our Nation proudly.

Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or in an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the Nation's population, approximately 70

million people, are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans. But the VA stands for more than the collection of services they offer. They represent the desire of all Americans to ensure that we honor those who selflessly answer the call to defend our great Nation with the great dignity and respect they deserve.

On the occasion of its 75th anniversary year, the Department of Veterans Affairs, with the support of Chairman Buyer of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has requested use of the Capitol rotunda to commemorate the significant contribution that the VA has made in supporting veterans.

As I have noted in the past, it is important for us to continually identify opportunities to recognize the contribution of our men and women in uniform as a way to give thanks for all that they have given to the American people. As you may know, the Committee on House Administration recently partnered with the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Armed Services Committee to introduce the Wall of the Fallen memorial, a tribute to those men and women who have lost their lives in battle in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was proud to sponsor the Wall of the Fallen in recognition of these heroes, just as I lend my full support to the request of the Department of Veterans Affairs for use of the Capitol rotunda to celebrate their 75 years of service to our Nation's veterans.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).

(Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous matter on the subject of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to rise in support of this resolution so that we can honor the Veterans Administration.

I have had an unusual several years in my congressional district. All of us work a lot with veterans casework; and certainly with the deaths and injuries that come in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have seen the rise in that kind of casework, as well as the aging veterans from World War II, the Korean War and many other people who have so bravely defended our Nation.

But when the CARES Commission suggested closing inpatient services in Fort Wayne, Indiana, we saw an outpouring of veterans in our community who really made clear why they think that the veterans hospitals are so important and so important to their care. They don't want to go to other cities. They don't want to go to other hospitals. They very much appreciate the service they get at the hospitals.

Even though we haven't allocated enough money to meet all the demands, we haven't modernized many of these hospitals as much as they should be given the service that these dedicated men and women have given in defense of freedom and defense of protecting the rest of us, the fact is they love their hospitals. They love their health care there. They love the fact that they are recognized as veterans when they come in; that they have the camaraderie that they can have with their fellow veterans and the shared experiences; that the people at those hospitals know what kind of sacrifice they have given. They aren't just another cipher as often happens when they go to an emergency room and then they argue about who is going to pay the bill. They know when they go into a veterans hospital and when they come into the Veterans Administration service that they are going to be recognized and treated with the dignity that they deserve.

I want to commend the Veterans Administration. They have a very tough time, with being underfunded, trying to meet the increasing demands, the shifting of where the veterans retire; but we appreciate in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the CBOCs around the area, the dedicated staff that does the best they can to service the many needy veterans not only in my district but throughout the country.

I enthusiastically support this resolution in favor of using the dome for their 75th anniversary.