Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, let me share my support for legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 561 Kingsland Avenue in University City, MO, as the ``Harriett F. Woods Post Office Building.'' Harriet Woods will long be remembered as a pioneer in American politics.

Born in Cleveland, OH, Harriet Woods received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan. She married Jim Woods on January 2, 1953. Before beginning her career in politics, Woods worked as a journalist and television producer.

Woods' political career began in 1962, when she became a member of the University City Council. In 1976, she was elected to the Missouri State Senate and was re-elected in 1980. Dedicated to women's participation in government, Woods was the first woman to win statewide office in Missouri when she was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1984. While she was not successful in the two Senate races in which she was a candidate, her actions and leadership inspired hundreds of women nationwide to participate in politics.

Offered By: Mr. Skelton

Amendment No. 2: In section 122(a), strike ``enter into

multiyear contracts, beginning with the fiscal year 2008

program year'' and insert ``enter into a multiyear contract,

beginning with the fiscal year 2009 program year''.

In section 301(10), strike the dollar amount and insert

``$5,847,609,000''.

In section 301(11), strike the dollar amount and insert

``$5,042,565,000''.

In section 576, strike subsection (i) and insert the

following new subsection:

(i) Funding.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated

pursuant to section 301(5) for Defense-wide activities,

$3,000,000 shall be available for deposit in the Fund for

fiscal year 2008.

In section 944(b)(2) ( page 444, lines 13 and 14), strike

``Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)'' and insert

``Director of the Office of Program Analysis and

Evaluation''.

In title XIII, add at the end the following new section:

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee and compliment him on his efforts in this very, very difficult situation.

What is wrong with doing what we are doing? Yesterday in the Armed Services Committee, or I should say early this morning in the Armed Services Committee, we passed a bill out that had as its pole star the readiness of our military. That is what this effort is about. The readiness, the funding, more than the White House has requested of us, and that is what this is all about. The young men and young women are entitled to have the funding come to them, and that is what this does.

I find no fault with having our looking at it as a benchmark for us, as a benchmark for those of us who fund the troops. We are not rubber stamps; we are a co-equal branch of the government. And as such, our voices should be heard and there should be an agreement with what we are trying to do: readiness and benchmarks. And that is just what we are asking this body to vote upon.

In addition thereto, there is a proposal in this measure I suggested some time ago, actually in late 2005, to the President that there be a measurement of redeployment for the American troops. I suggested to him that for every three brigades of the Iraqi Army brought to level one that one American brigade be redeployed. I got an answer back from the President, and when I brought it to his attention, he said it was too rigid. When truth, in fact, it ought to be, and as it is in this legislation, this bill, for every one soldier or battalion or brigade that is brought to level one in the Iraqi Army, there would be a redeployment of the American soldier, platoon, battalion, brigade at any level. It should be soldier for soldier. It is their country. We have been there over 4 years, and I think it is time to pass that baton on for the security of that country to be taken over by the Iraqis themselves. That is what the formula does, one on one. And I strongly endorse it.

I urge the passage of this bill.

Madam Chairman, this evening I rise in strong support of H.R. 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2008. Let me take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the chairman, the gentleman from Texas, Silver Reyes, on the work that he does.

It is especially important, Madam Chairman, that he is a member of the Armed Services Committee, and he is the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and it is one of those rare moments where the two very important committees are glued together, and he does that. And from our perspective, it is a good, good piece of evidence that he is the chairman and is doing such an excellent job in both respects.

Every day American men and women are deployed into harm's way and depend on the military intelligence capabilities authorized by this bill. It is important for them to achieve their missions. And this legislation assures continued delivery of our intelligence to our warfighters. It will lead to important improvements in the future.

I am also pleased to report that this bill reflects a new more cooperative relationship, as I mentioned, between the Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee in guiding and overseeing the Nation's military intelligence program.

Chairman Reyes and I have been working together to craft common approaches on key issues by our shared jurisdiction. For example, both this bill and the National Defense Authorization bill that we marked up late last night in committee contain provisions requiring reports on the national security implications of global warming. And that is no small thing.

And the committees, we are working together on significant changes in key space programs to ensure that both the intelligence analysts and the warfighter receive critical information in a timely manner, and that is so important.

Again, let me take this opportunity to congratulate Chairman Reyes for bringing this to the floor. Intelligence is the key to so many areas, in particular the military and security forums of our country. So I congratulate the gentleman from Texas.

Madam Speaker, let me take this means to recognize the fine accomplishments of my hometown, Lexington, Missouri, and its commitment to creating a more beautiful and historic community.

Last month, Discover Mid-America's Destinations 2007 named Lexington first among historic towns, and Rural Missouri picked Lexington as its editor's choice for most beautiful town. Discover Mid-America said, ``Lexington is one of those special Midwestern towns that people return to time and again. Lexington has more pre-Civil War homes and buildings than any other community regardless of size in the state of Missouri, over 120, and numerous quaint and comfortable Bed & Breakfast inns.'' In its article, Rural Missouri said, ``You will love the antebellum charm of Lexington's historic homes. Don't miss the courthouse with its cannonball reminder of the Civil War.''

Madam Speaker, I am proud to call the city of Lexington home and I know the members of the House will join me in congratulating the entire community on its prestigious awards.

Madam Speaker, a distinguished career in the United States Army has come to an end. General Peter J. Schoomaker recently retired after 35 years of service.

General Schoomaker graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree and later received a Master of Arts degree in Management from Central Michigan University. In addition, Hampden-Sydney College awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Laws. His military education includes the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, the National War College, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security Management.

On August 1, 2003, General Schoomaker became the 35th Chief of Staff, United States Army. Prior to this assignment, he spent 31 years in a variety of command and staff assignments with both conventional and special operations forces. General Schoomaker has taken part in various deployment operations around the world, including Desert One in Iran, Urgent Fury in Grenada, Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Southwest Asia, Uphold Democracy In Haiti, and supported various worldwide joint contingency operations, including those in the Balkans.

General Schoomaker's distinguished career has been recognized by his peers as he has been awarded: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, four Defense Superior Service Medals, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge and HALO Wings, the Special Forces Tab, and the Ranger Tab.

Madam Speaker, I know the members of the House will join me in commending General Schoomaker for a career of faithful service to his Nation and wish him well in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Mrs. William H. Weldon of Jefferson City, Missouri.

Mrs. Weldon was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, on February 22, 1922, daughter of Robert C. and Lenore Rhino Goshorn. She graduated from high school from the Mount Vernon Seminary, Washington, DC, in 1940 and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Mount Holyoke College in 1943. After her college graduation, she returned to Jefferson City, Missouri, to work for the newspaper company which her father had purchased in 1927.

In July 1956, she was united in marriage to William H. Weldon. William and Betty were the proud parents of 1 son, Frank Gifford Weldon, and 2 daughters, Lenore ``Tony'' Weldon and Sally Proctor.

Mrs. Weldon was owner and publisher of the Jefferson City News Tribune, The Fulton Sun, and California Democrat. She was owner of Callaway Hills Stables, near New Bloomfield, and also the founder of KRCG-TV. In 1955, Mrs. Weldon became the first woman in the United States to launch a television station.

Mrs. Weldon donated the first building space in Jefferson City to be used for the education of handicapped children; first known as the Goshorn Handicapped Center, it later merged with other schools to become the Special Learning Center. She was also active in many other community and national associations and groups, including service as a board member of the Jefferson City Family Y.M.C.A., the United Way of Central Missouri, the former Memorial Community Hospital Board of Governors, the St. Mary's Health Center Advisory Board, the Lincoln University Advisory Council, the Jefferson City Housing Authority, the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri Welfare Association, and was responsible for the first cancer fund-raising drive in Missouri. At the national level, Mrs. Weldon was a member of the American Security Council, the American Saddlebred Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, and was involved with the White House Conference on Children and Youth.

Madam Speaker, she was a valuable leader in the community who was respected by everyone who knew her. She was a dear friend of mine and will be greatly missed. I know the members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to her family.

Madam Speaker, Thomas M. Ruyle wrote an excellent article, entitled ``Army Stretched Beyond Limits'', which appeared in the Sedalia Democrat on April 12, 2007. This article accurately describes the current state of our Army and the challenges it faces. I wish to share Mr. Ruyle's writing with the rest of the chamber:

[From the Sedalia Democrat, Apr. 12, 2007]

Army Stretched Beyond Limits

(By Thomas M. Ruyle)

The Army is broken.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates' announcement yesterday that

all active-duty soldiers currently serving in Iraq would have

their rotations extended by three months is the latest

evidence that our military cannot meet the demands placed on

it.

Furthermore, the Pentagon this week alerted four National

Guard brigades for a second tour in Iraq, long before those

units have had five years at home since their last

deployment, as policy dictates.

Some active-duty units, such as the 3rd Brigade, 3rd

Infantry Division, are serving their third tour in Iraq in

four years.

They recently returned to Iraq after a shortened rest and

re-training period. Newer soldiers have, in many cases, not

had the time to train with their new comrades before being

sent into battle.

Reserve units that have already served are woefully short

on equipment and ammunition to properly retrain, either for

the maw of Iraq or defending America itself. The Marine Corps

recently announced that jungle training--a Corps mainstay--

will be suspended as that service is forced to concentrate

all resources on training for Iraq.

In the event of a major conflict erupting between the U.S.

and another nation--Iran, North Korea and Pakistan come

immediately to mind--America's ground forces, particularly

the Army, are in no way, shape or form capable of responding

appropriately.

Meanwhile, the current administration--particularly the

vice president--continues to maintain that everything is

progressing as scheduled in Iraq, and that anyone who begs to

differ is a defeatist or unpatriotic. Trouble is, there was

no schedule and little planning involved in the Iraq debacle.

The administration went to Iraq on a platform of lies,

failed to heed the warnings of senior military officers and

other warfare experts, and did not react appropriately when

things started going bad in Iraq shortly after the invasion.

Indeed, under Donald Rumsfeld, the defense establishment

followed the `script' rather than act to prevent the looming

realities that are obvious now.

Since 2001, America's military has been engaged full-time

in two separate wars: The War on Terrorism (primarily in

Afghanistan), and (since 2003) a second, unnecessary war that

has only begotten more terrorism, further destabilized the

Middle East and left America very vulnerable.

As an Army National Guard veteran of the Iraq War, I've

seen firsthand the toll that a combat deployment will have on

a unit, its equipment, soldiers and, their families. It takes

years for a unit to properly recover and be ready to deploy

again.

Sending units back to Iraq on a speeded-up schedule is a,

disservice to not only the soldiers and families affected,

but America's long-term strategy (if there is one) in Iraq as

well as America itself.

All the while, there has been no effort to expand the

military or adequately address the equipment shortcomings of

units after serving in the harsh climate of the Middle East.

The recent spate of Guard alerts, tour extensions and

shortened rest periods are indicative of a problem that the

Pentagon and administration utterly refuse to acknowledge:

The United States Army is broken, and it will take billions

of dollars over at least a decade to bring the Army back up

to a fully competent readiness level.

I thank my friend from Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, it really depends on where you put the spotlight. The spotlight has, unfortunately, been on some goals or a goal to redeploy troops, when truth in fact the spotlight of this legislation should have been and should be on the readiness of the troops of the United States. I am truly concerned about the readiness, let me tell you.

In the last 30 years, there have been 12 military contingencies in which the United States military has been involved. If this means anything in the future, sure as God made little green apples, we are going to have conflicts or concern, we hope none, but in the future.

Readiness is a major part of it. The testimony is that a large, large percentage of our equipment, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve for the Army, is in the Middle East. It's not here; it's not available for training. What is over there, of course, because of the sand, the conditions and the usage, is getting worn.

I truly worry about the training and the equipment for our Army and for our Marines in particular, because we don't know what the future holds. That is where the spotlight ought to be on this legislation, the positive aspects of it in preparing the readiness for tomorrow as well as for the readiness of today for the groups that are going over time after time, whether it be for 12 or for 15 months.

My hats off to those young people in uniform. It's our job to maintain them and take care of them. This bill would have done that.

Madam Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to COL John R. Smith, Chief of the Air Force Programs and Legislation Division, for his 25 years of service to the U.S. Air Force and our country. A command pilot with over 3,600 flight hours, Colonel Smith has supported combat operations around the world to include Operations Desert Storm, Restore Hope, Allied Force, Northern and Southern Watch, and Desert Fox. He has also flown numerous presidential support missions as well as humanitarian missions in relief of the devastation from hurricanes George and Mitch, flood relief in Mozambique, and earthquake relief in Turkey.

COL John R. Smith was born into the Air Force, the son of a World War II pilot and former prisoner of war COL Darrell Smith (ret.) and his wife Helen. Following his father into the Air Force, after high school he earned an appointment to the Air Force Academy and graduated in 1982 as a distinguished graduate. Upon completion of pilot training, he returned as a T-37 instructor pilot to teach and mentor future aviators first at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and then at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, home of the Pilot Instructor Training School. In 1987, he was selected as Randolph's Instructor Pilot of the Year. Following his tour in Air Training Command, Colonel Smith was selected to represent the United States Air Force as an exchange officer with the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force. In 1992, Colonel Smith was selected to fly the C-5 at Travis Air Force Base, California. From the C-5, Colonel Smith was assigned to the Pentagon in the Air and Space Operations directorate where he served as the C-5 and C-141 Program Element Monitor directing over $1.5 billion in funding for these two fleets. He was then reassigned as a Joint Warfighting Capabilities Analyst where he prepared recommendations on Department of Defense budgets, programs, and force structure alternatives for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Colonel Smith was selected to command the Third Airlift Squadron, flying C-5s out of Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Under his leadership, the Third overcame low aircraft maintenance reliability rates to support 17 major contingencies, exercises, and relief operations including critical taskings in support of operations in Iraq, Bosnia, and the Far East. The squadron was twice selected as the best operations squadron of the year at Dover, garnered 18 higher headquarter aircrew awards, and earned the year 2000 nomination for the best airlift squadron in Air Mobility Command. Following command, Colonel Smith attended Air War College and was then selected for a tour in the Secretary of the Air Force's Office of Legislative Liaison where he served as the Deputy Chief of the Weapons Systems Division. For the last 2 years Colonel Smith has served as the Chief of the Programs and Legislation Division. There he is responsible for Air Force legislative engagement with the Senate and House Armed Services Committees.

Madam Speaker, I know the members of the House will join me in offering our sincere thanks to Colonel Smith, his wife Jana, their four daughters, Renae, Elayne, Claire, and Pamela, and four sons Benjamin, Zane, Chad, and Kyle, for their service to our Nation. I would like to especially remember Zane, their second son, who died from leukemia at the age of 2. We wish the Smith family the best of luck in all future endeavors and congratulate Colonel Smith on the completion of an outstanding and successful active-duty career.

I thank the chairman of the Rules Committee. Mr. Speaker, I am blessed to be a Member of the House of Representatives.

Under the Constitution of our country, this is a co-equal branch of government. We are charged here in Congress to raise and maintain the military of the United States. The President is charged with being the Commander in Chief. Our job is clear. We must prepare and maintain our military to the highest standard possible.

1950, the North Koreans invaded South Korea. We had a small force there. General MacArthur, supreme commander in that part of the world, sent a unit that was untrained, underequipped and undersized, called Task Force Smith to stem the tide of the North Korean armies. They fought valiantly and found themselves in the southeast corner of South Korea in what is now known as the Pusan perimeter, and they were in serious trouble. General MacArthur's brilliant Inchon landing on the western coast of Korea changed the nature of the Korean War at that moment.

But the lesson of all of this is the lack of readiness of the United States

Army as it was in 1950. Our job is to see that that does not ever happen again.

This rule, this bill, this resolution is the right one for our time. It will help the readiness of the United States military, in particular our Army. I am very concerned about the stretching and the straining of the Army in Iraq, so much so we just have to fund them, and this is a major step in that direction.

Now, some object for some Iraqi language, which frankly leaves a lot to the discretion of the White House. But what we are overlooking is the fact that this bill, this resolution does lead to supporting the troops and keeping the readiness at a higher level. A large percentage of the equipment of the active duty of the National Guard and of the Reserve is not here in America, is overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan. Readiness capability of the future is what this is all about.

Madam Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to the Elks USA for their continued dedication to communities across the nation and their contributions to the veterans of this country.

Founded after the Civil War with a goal of promoting friendship and charity, the Elks are the nation's oldest and largest fraternal organization, with 1.1 million members and lodges in all fifty states. Last year, they donated 9.7 million hours and contributed almost $263 million to a variety of charitable and philanthropic causes.

One of the major tenets of the Elks is a commitment to the military and its veterans. In 1918, the Elks built a 700-bed hospital in Boston to rehabilitate World War I wounded and gave it to the nation. Elks made a solemn pledge that ``so long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.'' This commitment still stands through an extensive visitation program in VA hospitals and nursing homes. As the VA's only source of leather, the men and women of the Elks gather animal hides, pay for the tanning, and provide wheelchair gloves and leather used for therapy programs at VA medical centers nationwide. In 2005, they logged 1,037,932 hours visiting hospitalized veterans and taking many of the patients to baseball games, fishing trips, and other outings.

The Elks were among the first groups to endorse the World War II Memorial, donating $1.2 million towards its construction. In addition, the Elks raised a similar amount to aid the victims of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.

During World War II and the Korean War, the Elks operated canteens for the troops. A decade ago, they gave $100,000 to service chaplains to support the families of the Gulf War wounded at Walter Reed and other military hospitals. A current project, dubbed the Army of Hope, provides support for the families of reservists and National Guard personnel who have been called to active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. For the citizen soldiers whose lives have been disrupted, Elks are helping with the kids, making minor home repairs, writing wills, and providing other assistance for their families.

The Elks were founders of Flag Day, a concept President Harry Truman (himself an Elk) signed into law. They promote the flying of the Flag, promote the observance of Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and sponsor parades along with other patriotic events.

Madam Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in commending Elks USA for their commitment to bettering our country and we thank them for their dedication to our military families.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1538.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to bring forward for consideration this bill, H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007. This bill is the House Armed Services Committee's first step to address the challenges and the obstacles that wounded and injured servicemembers face during their recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center, and at all military medical facilities around the world.

Mr. Chairman, I am glad this bill is a product of a strong bipartisan effort to support our troops. While recognizing the ranking member of the committee, Duncan Hunter, and the House Veterans Affairs Chairman, Bob Filner, and Steve Buyer, the ranking member, for their support and contributions to this bill, I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge the substantial contributions of the Military Personnel Subcommittee chairman, Vic Snyder, and John McHugh, the ranking member, for their considerable help during the development of this bill in committee.

Their knowledge and insights and understanding of the complex medical and disability systems that our servicemembers and their families are undergoing help to ensure that the bill before us today will have an immediate and positive impact on the lives of the wounded servicemembers as well as their families.

Mr. Chairman, the committee moved expeditiously to make changes that can be adopted fairly quickly after hearing what our wounded soldiers and their families are continuing to face at Walter Reed Hospital. However, these soldiers were not alone. The committee has heard of similar challenges that other soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that are experiencing the same type of treatment across the country.

Sadly, what happened at Walter Reed was more than just a leadership failure in the Army. It is symptomatic of the enormous and complex factors that affect military medicine.

Yet while those in military medicine provide outstanding quality health care to wounded and injured soldiers, other factors brought to bear on this system also contribute to the state of affairs at Walter Reed Hospital as well as other medical facilities throughout our Nation.

Over the past several years, military medicine has been forced to convert thousands of military medical positions to civilian positions. One could ask how this could have an impact on our wounded forces, and the answer is clear and simple; fewer uniformed medical providers means fewer providers left at military hospitals back home treating injured and treating the wounded servicemembers. It also means that those in uniform who do remain will continue to face a high and sustained operational tempo, greater deployments and more time away from home. And yet the Navy, for example, has proposed for fiscal year 2008 to cut an additional 900 medical providers, including, Mr. Chairman, 100 doctors that provide needed health care to servicemembers as well as their families. That is why the committee chose to move quickly on this bill that will provide quick and immediate help to our troops.

It is clear that continued and persistent problems that were highlighted at Walter Reed Hospital require closer inspection and may demand a significant and comprehensive overhaul of the entire process.

As the Armed Services Committee continues to work on the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization bill, we will continue our efforts to examine greater comprehensive reforms to ensure that our forces receive the high quality care that our Nation has an obligation to provide for those wonderful young people in uniform.

However, H.R. 1538 is vitally needed now to provide immediate support for our wounded warriors.

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

Mr. Chairman, I think our country was shocked at the revelation as to what the conditions were at that certain part of Walter Reed Hospital, and I am pleased that we, on a very bipartisan basis, have addressed this through the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Chairman, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, my colleague, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. Chairman, I am very, very pleased that this bill will directly address the transition between the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration with the actual physical hand-off that is provided and required in this.

I yield now 2 minutes to my friend, my colleague, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to my colleague, my friend, a member of the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

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

Mr. Chairman, as the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews) stated about the disparity between the treatment regarding the disability ratings made by the Department of Defense on the one hand, and the Veterans Administration on the other, we hope that disparity will be done away with by the legislation that we pass today.

I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter), a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare) 1 minute.

Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), the chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the Committee on Armed Services.

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

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to the time remaining on each side?

Parliamentary inquiry.

As soon as the gentleman from California and I finish our allotted time, is it not correct that the Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman and ranking member will assume leadership on this bill?

Thank you.

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

The sad situation of Walter Reed hospital regarding the outpatients has alarmed all of us, whether we be in Congress or not, and this bill has some excellent provisions. It is truly a bipartisan effort. I thank Mr. Hunter and Dr. Snyder, our chairman of our Subcommittee on Personnel, John McHugh from New York. All have done superb work on this bill.

It makes some improvements to the medical and dental care for members in an outpatient status.

It establishes a toll-free hotline for reporting deficiencies in medical-related support facilities.

It requires Members of Congress to be notified of combat-wounded servicemembers who have been hospitalized.

It creates an independent medical advocate for members undergoing a medical evaluation board.

It improves the training and reduces the workload for Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers.

It standardizes the training program and curriculum for the Department of Defense Disability Evaluation System.

It enhances the training for health care professionals.

It would improve the transition for servicemembers between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

It provides a $50 million fund to support programs and activities related to medical treatment and care.

It would create an Oversight Board for Wounded Warriors.

It requires an annual report of the state of military medical facilities.

It requires an evaluation and report on the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Evaluation Systems.

It requires a study of the support services available for families of recovering servicemembers.

And at the behest of Mr. Ortiz, it places a 1-year moratorium on A-76 studies at any military medical facility.

It is clear, Mr. Chairman, that the continued and persistent problems that were highlighted at the Walter Reed Hospital require closer inspection and may demand a significant and comprehensive overhaul of the process.

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

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

On our time, I have no more speakers, and I would judge that any further speakers would be on the time of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of the Armed Services time.

Mr. Chairman, may I confirm the fact that when I yielded back a few moments ago, that I have 8 minutes remaining?

I understand. I do ask that I be able to reclaim the time, the 8\1/2\ minutes.

I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Arizona (Ms. Giffords).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).

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

I wish to mention Mr. Buyer and I have had this discussion about there is more work to do. We will do it. We will do our very best I know in the Armed Services Committee as well as in the Veterans' Affairs Committee; and I appreciate your mentioning the fact that this is a step, although in my opinion, it is a major step. We still have a great deal of work to do regarding the wounded warriors.

Now, Mr. Chairman, I have mentioned the positive work done by Duncan Hunter, by Vic Snyder, by John McHugh, by Bob Filner, by Steve Buyer, but I would be remiss if I didn't brag on and thank the wonderful staff that we have on our Armed Services Committee and also in the Veterans' Affairs Committee. They have worked long and very efficiently, and the product before us is a work of art by the members of our staff, and I certainly thank them for their tremendous professionalism.

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

Mr. Chairman, the amendment before us is an excellent one. Those of us who live in the rural part of this country, as well pointed out by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), will certainly appreciate this. If you look at the statistics, a disproportionate number of people in uniform come from a small town in rural America, and your change in the reimbursement rate will be a great deal of help to those young men and women as well as those who retire in their traveling to and from their hometown to receive the medical care from the designated facilities. And I compliment you and certainly approve of this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment is a simple one that makes technical changes in section 101 to clarify the qualification of military officers who may supervise medical care case managers and also in section 107 to require that the tracking system for reports to medical authorities regarding wounded warriors' symptoms of post- traumatic stress disorder or suicidal tendencies be developed not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this legislation.

I yield to the gentleman.

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

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

We discussed this issue and this proposed amendment in the committee. At that time, we said we would work with you, and I compliment you on it. I support it. I think it is an excellent amendment and I wish to move forward and vote for it.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Rhode Island, Mr. Kennedy, for this amendment and for the fact that it is a clarifying amendment that makes all of us, as well as those within the medical community, understand that mental health is included in the term ``medical care.'' I thank you for that, and I fully support it.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I compliment the gentlelady on this excellent amendment, and certainly support it.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I have examined this amendment. I think it is an excellent one, and I compliment you. It is certainly acceptable on our side.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 1538 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to House Resolution 274, any of the amendments printed in House Report 110-78 may be considered at any time.