[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 73 (Monday, June 13, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  TO ESTABLISH A WOMEN'S BUREAU IN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3013) to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a 
Women's Bureau in the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3013

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CENTER FOR WOMEN VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--(1) Chapter 3 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 318. Center for Women Veterans

       ``(a) There is in the Department a Center for Women 
     Veterans. There is at the head of the Center a Director.
       ``(b) The Director shall be a noncareer appointee in the 
     Senior Executive Service. The director shall be appointed for 
     a term of six years.
       ``(c) The Director reports directly to the Secretary or the 
     Deputy Secretary concerning the activities of the Center.
       ``(d) The Director hall perform the following functions 
     with respect to veterans who are women:
       ``(1) Serve as principal adviser to the Secretary on the 
     adoption and implementation of policies and programs 
     affecting veterans who are women.
       ``(2) Make recommendations to the Secretary, the Under 
     Secretary for Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits,and 
     other Department officials for the establishment or 
     improvement of programs in the Department for which veterans 
     who are women are eligible.
       ``(3) Promote the use of benefits authorized by this title 
     by veterans who are veterans who are women, in conjunction 
     with the outreach activities carried out under chapter 77 of 
     this title.
       ``(4) Disseminate information and serve as a resource 
     center for the exchange of information regarding innovative 
     and successful programs which improve the services available 
     to veterans who are women.
       ``(5) Conduct and sponsor appropriate social and 
     demographic research and the needs of veterans who are women 
     and the extent to which programs authorized under this title 
     meet the needs of those veterans, without regard to any law 
     concerning the collection of information from the public.
       ``(6) Analyze and evaluate complaints made by or on behalf 
     of veterans who are women about the adequacy and timeliness 
     of services provided by the Department and advise the 
     appropriate official of the Department of the results of such 
     analysis or evaluation.
       ``(7) Consult with, and provide assistance and information 
     to, officials responsible for administering Federal, State, 
     local, and private programs that assist veterans, to 
     encourage those officials to adopt policies which promote the 
     use of those programs by veterans who are women.
       ``(8) Advise the Secretary when laws or policies have the 
     effect of discouraging the use of benefits by veterans who 
     are women.
       ``(9) Publicize the results of the medical research which 
     are of particular significance to veterans who are women.
       ``(10) Advise the Secretary and other appropriate officials 
     on the effectiveness of the Department's efforts to 
     accomplish the goals of section 492B of the Public Health 
     Service Act (relating to the inclusion of women and 
     minorities in clinical research) and of particular health 
     conditions affecting women's health which should be studied 
     as part of the Department's medical research program and 
     promote cooperation between the Department and other sponsors 
     of medical research of potential benefit to veterans who are 
     women.
       ``(11) Provide support and administrative services to the 
     Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established under 
     section 542 of this title.
       ``(12) Perform such other duties consistent with this 
     section as the Secretary shall prescribe.
       ``(e) The Secretary shall ensure that the Director is 
     furnished sufficient resources to enable the Director to 
     carry out the functions of the Center in a timely manner.
       ``(f) The Secretary shall include in documents submitted to 
     Congress by the Secretary in support of the President's 
     budget for each fiscal year--
       ``(1) detailed information on the budget for the Center;
       ``(2) the Secretary's opinion as to whether the resources 
     (including the number of employees) proposed in the budget 
     for that fiscal year are adequate to enable the Center to 
     comply with its statutory and regulatory duties; and
       ``(3) a report on the activities and significant 
     accomplishments of the Center during the preceding fiscal 
     year.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``318. Center for Women Veterans.''.

       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 317(c) of such title is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking out ``who is--'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``who is any of the following:'';
       (2) by striking out the semicolon at the end of paragraphs 
     (1) through (4) and inserting in lieu thereof a period;
       (3) by striking out ``; or'' at the end of paragraph (5) 
     and inserting in lieu thereof a period; and
       (4) by striking out paragraph (6).

     SEC. 2. MEETINGS OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WOMEN VETERANS.

       Section 542(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) The Committee shall meet as often as the Secretary 
     considers necessary or appropriate, but not less often than 
     twice each fiscal year.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery].


                             general leave

  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the legislation presently under consideration as well as on the next 
bill of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs on the schedule.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Mississippi?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. MONTGOMERY asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3013 would establish a Center for 
Women Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The center would 
be headed by a director appointed by the Secretary. The director would 
serve as principal adviser to the Secretary on the adoption and 
implementation of policies and programs affecting women veterans.
  The bill is designed to focus more attention on the needs of women 
veterans and how those veterans can obtain benefits and services on a 
timely basis.
  I want to commend the distinguished gentlewoman from California [Ms. 
Waters] for introducing H.R. 3013, and will recognize her shortly to 
explain the bill.
  Women now comprise about 12 percent of our active duty Armed Forces 
and constitute the fastest growing segment of the veteran population. 
This year women are expected to account for a full 20 percent of the 
Army's enlistees. As the roles and responsibilities of women who serve 
in the Armed Forces change, so will their needs for VA health care and 
other services. I think more can be done to help women who are being 
discharged from service.

                              {time}  1210

  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from California [Ms. Waters].
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3013, legislation 
to create a Center for Women Veterans within the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. I am pleased to have sponsored this legislation and I want to 
commend the committee staff for their work. I would like to thank my 
chairman, Sonny Montgomery, and my subcommittee chairman, Lane Evans, 
for their strong support of H.R. 3013 and their leadership in moving 
the bill through committee. I especially want to thank Vietnam Veterans 
of America and all the women veterans who worked for and stood firm in 
their support of H.R. 3013.
  H.R. 3013 will establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a 
Center for Women Veterans and appoint a Director who reports directly 
to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Deputy concerning the 
activities of the center. The Director will serve as principal adviser 
to the Secretary on the adoption and implementation of policies and 
programs affecting veterans who are women, make recommendations to the 
Secretary, the Under Secretary for Health, the Under Secretary for 
Benefits and other Department officials for the establishment or 
improvement of programs in the VA for eligible women veterans; and 
promote the use of veterans benefits by women veterans and the conduct 
of outreach activities in conjunction with outreach activities carried 
out under chapter 77 of title 38.
  The Director will also be responsible for disseminating information 
and serving as a resource center for the exchange of information 
regarding innovative and successful programs which improve services 
available to women veterans. The Director will conduct and sponsor 
appropriate social and demographic research on the needs of women 
veterans and the extent to which veterans programs meet the needs of 
such veterans; analyze and evaluate complaints made by, or on behalf 
of, women veterans about the adequacy and timeliness of services 
provided by the VA; advise the appropriate official of the VA of the 
results of such analysis or evaluation and advise the Secretary when 
laws or policies have the effect of discouraging the use of benefits by 
women veterans. The Director will publicize the results of medical 
research of particular significance to women veterans; advise the 
Secretary and other appropriate officials on the effectiveness of the 
VA's efforts to accomplish the goals relating to the inclusion of women 
and minorities in clinical research and of particular health conditions 
affecting women's health which should be studied as part of the VA's 
medical research program and promote cooperation between the VA and 
other sponsors of medical research of potential benefit to women 
veterans. The Director will provide support and administrative services 
to the advisory committee on women veterans.
  I believe this legislation is long over-due. The Veterans' Affairs 
Committee has on many occasions urged the VA to improve health care and 
other services for women veterans and to recognize and respond to the 
legitimate needs of this growing veterans population. In some cases 
this advice has been heeded, in others it has not. The VA Office of 
Inspector General reported last year that many fundamental problems 
continue to hamper VA's delivery of gender specific services to women 
veterans. Secretary Brown's commitment to improving VA's responsiveness 
to women veterans is evidenced by his appointment of a Director of VA's 
Office of Women Veterans. However well intentioned, this Office falls 
short of addressing the issue of equality for women veterans in a 
comprehensive manner. In testimony before the Veterans Affairs 
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee we heard women veterans and 
advocacy groups tell us that while they applaud the actions of 
Secretary Brown, they felt the provisions of H.R. 3013 were still 
warranted.
  H.R. 3013 provides a built-in mechanism to improve VA's 
accountability to women veterans. H.R. 3013 will create a permanent and 
prominent position for women veterans in the hierarchy of the VA. H.R. 
3013 will ensure that past accomplishments in women veterans services 
are not eroded.
  Women constitute the fastest growing segment of the veterans 
population. It is projected that by the year 2004 about 12 percent of 
veterans will be women. We cannot continue to treat these veterans as 
second-class. H.R. 3013 will send a clear message that Congress will no 
longer tolerate indifference and disregard for the implementation of 
programs legislated to improve care of women veterans. Mr. Speaker, the 
need for a change in policy regarding women veterans has never been 
greater. The time for change is now.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for passage of H.R. 3013.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to thank the ranking 
minority member, the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], for his 
support of the legislation. I would like to say to the House that we do 
not oftentimes have such cooperation from both sides of the aisle, but 
we had no opposition and we have had strong advocacy from the other 
side of the aisle, thanks to the leadership of the gentleman from 
Arizona [Mr. Stump]. I would like to take note of that, and say I am 
very appreciative of the work the gentleman did in supporting this 
legislation.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Chairman Montgomery for his 
leadership and advocacy on behalf of all veterans and in particular, 
women veterans.
  In the past several years, this committee has dramatically improved 
the services provided to women veterans through passage of H.R. 3313 
last session and Public Law 102-585. I hope that this legislation 
coupled with the committee's past improvements will go a long way 
toward meeting the needs of women veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] 
for his support of this legislation, and again I want to thank the 
gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters] for bringing this bill before 
the House. I hope we can get a strong vote on this legislation. I know 
we will.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of 
H.R. 3013, legislation that establishes a women's bureau within the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. I commend my colleague from California 
[Ms. Waters] for introducing this legislation, which I believe is long 
overdue.
  According to research conducted by the Women's Research and Education 
Institute, since the all male draft ended in 1973, and the All 
Volunteer Force began, the percentage of women in the military has 
dramatically increased. In fact, in 1993, the percentage of women in 
the military had risen to an astonishing 11.8 percent. This increase 
translates to a force of almost 200,000 women soldiers in the Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
  I believe that the Department of Veterans Affairs should adapt to 
accommodate the changing needs of our women veterans. From providing 
consultative services to coordinating existing VA women's programs, 
H.R. 3013 will ensure that our women veterans receive the services, the 
benefits and the training that they need.
  I am pleased to support this measure and I urge my colleagues to join 
me in ensuring its final passage.
  Mrs. LLOYD. Mr. Speaker, in the past when this country has honored 
its veterans, too often it has remembered to honor only the men who 
have served their country. When this country has spoken of its 
veterans, too often it has spoken proudly of only the men who have 
served their country. When this country has made an effort to care for 
its veterans, too often it has only provided care for only the men who 
served their country.
  Today, we are changing these scenarios, because today we are going to 
move to also honor, speak of, and care for the women who have served 
their country. At a time when women have assumed more roles and 
responsibilities in the U.S. military than ever before, and at a time 
when there are more women veterans than ever before, the Congress of 
the United States seeks to bring equal treatment for and recognition of 
the growing population of women veterans.
  Establising the women's bureau in the Department of Veterans Affairs 
is a positive step in showing the women of this country--if you serve, 
you will not be forgotten. This bill is long overdue. It is time this 
country thinks of women as veterans too. It is time we honor them, 
speak of them, and care for them. H.R. 3013 does this and I strongly 
urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation and correct the 
discrimination women veterans have felt for so many years.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Edwards of California). The question is 
on the motion offered by the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. 
Montgomery] that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 
3013, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to establish a Center for Women Veterans 
in the Department of Veterans Affairs.''
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________