Critical Access to Clinical Lab Services Act of 2005

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my resolution, H. Res. 1016. I would like to thank Mr. Ehlers for his help in support of this bill, as well as Mr. Brady and Members on both sides of the aisle. It has taken considerable time and effort to get this bill to the floor, and I appreciate their help in bringing this matter tonight and making sure we get this done before the end of the session.

Mr. Speaker, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan is being fought by American military personnel; and, as we know, many of them have been killed or wounded. In fact, there have been 21,263 wounded American military personnel during this conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq. That includes 468 amputees.

To better illustrate that point, imagine every Member of this House plus 33 others have been wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan and that the wounds were serious enough to require amputation, and sometimes that meant amputating more than one limb. It is hard to comprehend the level of sacrifice and the recovery from such a loss.

These brave warriors and their families must learn an entirely new way of life. Sometimes readjusting, finding one's place is as traumatic and as hurtful as the wound itself. Many of them worry about how they will work and what kind of life they can provide for themselves and for their families.

My resolution, H. Res. 1016, will enable us, Members of the United States Congress, to help disabled veterans directly. We should serve as an example to other government agencies and to private-sector employers. We need to send an unmistakable message that every disabled veteran should have the opportunity to work at a decent-paying job and that they can this way adjust and bring themselves back into this community as they heal and come home.

This resolution coordinates the House Administration Committee and the CAO to find qualified disabled veterans to fill open positions in our House offices.

Congress has two important obligations when sending America's defenders into harm's way.

The first is to ensure that those soldiers have the necessary training, equipment and resources to get the job done and come home safely.

The second is to ensure that when these heroes come home, especially if they have been severely wounded, that their wounds are cared for and once they are healed, there are adequate avenues available to ensure them a decent life, especially the personal and professional satisfaction of a real job.

I would challenge my colleagues to achieve the following goal: by the end of the next year, every congressional office should employ at least one disabled veteran. Not only would these veterans benefit from these jobs, but we would benefit greatly from the unique perspective that these heroes would bring to our offices.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Clifford Heinz for bringing to my attention disturbing news stories regarding returning veterans. I also thank the majority whip, Mr. Blunt, for his hard work in helping to move this resolution to the floor for the vote.

We must ensure that the returning veterans from this war are treated with the dignity and honor, that it is the dignity and honor that they have earned and deserve. This resolution is an important first step in what I know will be a continued effort by this Congress to say thank you to the disabled

veterans who have paid a price beyond the call of duty and never fully repaid.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution and to take seriously the challenge of personally hiring a disabled veteran for their office. I ask them to support H. Res. 1016.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the chairman in support of this resolution introduced this week by the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), encouraging all Members, committees, and offices of the House to hire disabled veterans. This Congress absolutely should give preference to disabled veterans as long as there are disabled veterans.

First, this resolution reminds all Members and other House employees that this Congress has a moral and ethical obligation to support American disabled veterans. Unfortunately, we know too well that the ranks of America's disabled veterans are growing every day. One way for the House to fulfill its obligation is to help disabled veterans return to their pre-war lifestyles. Their former jobs may be gone or their disabilities may preclude them from performing that function again.

I am sure there are many disabled veterans whose knowledge, skills, and abilities could help Members better serve their constituencies. This would allow disabled veterans to continue their service to their country as civilians, while providing for themselves and their families. This could take place anywhere in the country since a large percentage of congressional staff positions are located in districts throughout America. There are also opportunities here on Capitol Hill as well.

Second, the resolution states that the Committee on House Administration will facilitate employment opportunities for disabled veterans by directing the House Chief Administration Officer to provide resources to guide qualified disabled veterans to potential positions. A suitable Web site, for example, could enable disabled veterans to employment opportunities in the House.

Whatever the committee may decide, I am pleased that this resolution apprises all Members of the need of our disabled veterans and the rest of the community to take action. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution. The ranks of American disabled veterans are growing every day, and the end of the current conflict is not in sight. The House should do everything possible to help our disabled veterans to rebuild their lives.

If qualified disabled veterans are interested in working here, we should encourage Members, our committees, and our support offices to embrace these brave men and women who have served in Iraq and elsewhere around the world and who have sacrificed their futures for our country. I urge an ``aye'' vote

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield to Mr. Fattah from the great State of Pennsylvania for such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Rohrabacher for the resolution and the chairman of our committee. It is a pleasure working with you.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 1016 to encourage all offices of the House of Representatives to hire disabled veterans.

The men and women of our Armed Forces play a central role in preserving our Nation's freedom. In this role, these men and women gain very valuable skills, and knowledge which is crucial to the successful operations and functions of our military. The vast array of valuable skills that disabled veterans possess include those in intelligence, medicine, law and beyond. Such knowledge is not to be undervalued.

There are over 3 million living disabled veterans in this country, a number which unfortunately continues to rise as we remain engaged in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Let us respect and honor the invaluable service of all past and future disabled veterans by ensuring that they may continue to use their unique talents, knowledge and skills.

Congress relies on knowledgeable staff to help formulate policy. Disabled veterans provide unique perspectives on a range of issues, especially regarding national security.

Disabled veterans have sacrificed greatly for this country. It is indeed no sacrifice at all for us to take advantage of the unique education and experience that our veterans will bring as administrative, legislative and support staff to the House offices.

This Nation can repay its debt to those disabled veterans by helping disabled veterans continue to support the many important functions of our government, as well as continue to serve their country. Such a partnership is a win-win situation, and yet I am inclined to think that it is we who will benefit most from the contributions.

Mr. Speaker, we must ensure that when our veterans become disabled as a result of their military service, their service and skills do not dry up like a raisin in the sun but continue to bear fruit that can serve this great Nation well. By employing disabled veterans, we show that we have confidence in and value their skills.

We all know that it is exceedingly difficult to gain employment as a disabled individual, let alone as a veteran adjusting to civilian life. This is simply one step we can make as a legislative body to ease the transition and assist a population in need.

I am virtually certain that we all value the time and service of all of our veterans who have faithfully served to protect the interests of this great Nation and its citizens. We certainly would like to express that sentiment here today by passage of H.R. 1016 to encourage all offices of the House of Representatives to hire disabled veterans.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1016) encouraging all offices of the House of Representatives to hire disabled veterans.

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

Mr. Speaker, I also thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) for introducing this fine resolution.

I rise in support of H. Res. 1016, which encourages all offices of the House of Representatives to hire disabled veterans, and I ask all my colleagues to support this important bill.

Throughout history, our Nation has depended on the brave men and women of the military to secure our freedom, frequently at their own peril. Millions of those who fight valiantly for our country will return with injuries that threatened their livelihood and that of their families.

After completing their service to our country, our Nation's disabled veterans often return to face another challenge: diminished prospects for employment due to the injuries they suffered in battle.

By recruiting these exceptional individuals for employment in the House, we are both rewarding these heroes for their sacrifices they have made for their country and securing experienced, dedicated employees to work in House offices. By providing a congressional career path to disabled veterans, we are offering these courageous individuals an opportunity to serve the public in a new capacity.

I ask the Members to honor our Nation's veterans both by supporting this important resolution and by hiring disabled veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who is in every way a true patriot and also the author of this wonderful resolution.

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

I once again reiterate the requests that various individuals have made here, that every Member of this Congress take this resolution seriously, that they vote for it; and, furthermore, that they act on it and hire a disabled veteran to work in their offices.

I thank the gentleman from California for bringing this to our attention. I urge support by every Member of the House for this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, and also the chairman of my former committee, the House Administration Committee, for their fine work in bringing this resolution to the floor.

On Sunday I spoke at the VFW post in my district, the Charles Young Post, as they celebrated 76 years of providing a service to veterans, returning veterans from a host of wars and conflicts, in Philadelphia.

I have been over to Walter Reed visiting with soldiers who have been wounded in the Iraqi war, and it is true that they are receiving great medical care, but they do need employment. And I thank the gentleman who is the prime sponsor of this who I have also served with for many years, for fighting for this to come to the floor because it is something that is tangible that we can do.

I just wanted to rise in support of it. House Administration is a committee where these issues are dealt with, and I think the committee should be commended for bringing this to the floor. And I hope all Members heed what I think is a reasonable challenge, that each of us should reach out to returning veterans.

Many have disabilities that are visible, and others have other challenges. We do know, as has been stated by a former President, Ronald Reagan, that one of the best things that could ever happen in terms of addressing some of the social challenges that people face is a good job. So providing a good job for veterans who return, many of whom are disabled, I think is a rightful thing for this House to consider, in all of its various offices both here on the Hill and at home in our district offices.

I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I thank the chairman for the great guidance he has given to my former committee.