[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 656 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 656

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and the Congress should 
     take immediate action to implement the recommendations of the 
    President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded 
                     Warriors, and other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 17, 2007

  Mr. Walsh of New York submitted the following resolution; which was 
  referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the 
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and the Congress should 
     take immediate action to implement the recommendations of the 
    President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded 
                     Warriors, and other purposes.

Whereas the President, by Executive Order 13426, dated March 6, 2007, 
        established a Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded 
        Warriors;
Whereas the President authorizes the Commission to complete a comprehensive 
        review of the care provided to members of the Armed Forces returning 
        from the Global War on Terror from the time they leave the battlefield 
        through their return to civilian life;
Whereas the mission of the Commission includes--

    (1) examining the transition of returning wounded members of the Armed 
Forces from the Global War on Terror to their successful return to 
productive military service or civilian society, and recommending needed 
improvements;

    (2) evaluating the coordination, management, and adequacy of the 
delivery of health care, disability, traumatic injury, education, 
employment, and other benefits and services to such service members by 
Federal agencies and by the private sector, and recommending needed 
improvements to ensure that programs provide high-quality services;

    (3) analyzing the effectiveness of existing outreach to such service 
members regarding such benefits and services, evaluating service members' 
awareness of and their ability to access these benefits and services, and 
identifying ways to reduce barriers to and gaps in these benefits and 
services; and

    (4) consulting with foundations, veterans service organizations, 
nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, and other entities, as 
appropriate;

Whereas over the course of 4\1/2\ months, the Commission carried out its mission 
        and responsibilities as directed in the President's Executive order;
Whereas the Commission visited Department of Defense facilities, Department of 
        Veterans Affairs hospitals, and other care sites across the United 
        States;
Whereas the Commission took testimony from injured members of the Armed Forces, 
        their families, professionals who provide medical and rehabilitative 
        services, and administrators of programs serving such service members, 
        among others;
Whereas following the Commission's investigation into the care provided to 
        America's returning wounded warriors, the Commission briefed the 
        President on July 25, 2007;
Whereas on July 31, 2007, the Commission transmitted its final report to the 
        President, the Congress, the Department of Defense, the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs, and veterans service organizations; and
Whereas the Commission recommended six action steps and recommended that the 
        Congress, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs immediately implement those steps: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, that--
            (1) the House of Representatives expresses its--
                    (A) appreciation and support for the work of the 
                President's Commission on Care for America's Returning 
                Wounded Warriors; and
                    (B) deep appreciation for the continued sacrifice 
                of United States service members and their families;
            (2) the House of Representatives reiterates its commitment 
        to meeting the present and future needs of United States 
        service members and their families; and
            (3) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
                    (A) the Congress should take immediate action to 
                implement the Commission's recommendations for which 
                Federal legislation is required;
                    (B) the Secretary of Defense should take immediate 
                action to implement the Commission's recommendations 
                that require action by the Department of Defense;
                    (C) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take 
                immediate action to implement the Commission's 
                recommendations that require action by the Department 
                of Veterans Affairs; and
                    (D) the Congress, the Secretary of Defense, and the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs should continue working 
                together to ensure the proper continuum of care for 
                returning wounded members of the Armed Forces and their 
                families.
                                 <all>