[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 128 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                       HON. ERNEST J. ISTOOK, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 2, 1995
       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2127) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and related agencies, for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1996, and for other purposes:

  Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Chairman, I have consulted with Mr. Stump, chairman 
of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, regarding concerns raised by some 
veterans service organizations about the definition of grants in the 
provision of H.R. 2127 prohibiting use of Federal grants for political 
advocacy. They have long been furnished space and office facilities, if 
available, by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the free 
assistance and representation of veterans by veterans service 
organizations in making claims for their veterans benefits. The 
furnished space and facilities are specifically authorized by section 
5902 of title 38. The VA is authorized under section 5902 to recognize 
the veterans representatives as well.
  Chairman Stump has informed me that the furnishing of space and 
office facilities for this purpose has never been considered a grant to 
veterans service organizations. The free assistance given to veterans 
by the service organizations is in fact of considerable benefit and 
value to the Government because the Government itself is legally 
obligated to assist veterans in making their claims.
  Furthermore, Chairman Stump has emphasized to me that the assistance 
and representation given to veterans by the veterans service 
organizations has not involved political advocacy in any way, shape, or 
form. The assistance has been solely for the purpose of helping 
individual veterans to make their claims for VA benefits. This free 
representation for veterans by veterans service organizations is 
unique. I know of nothing else like it and I want to see it continued.
  Therefore, I want to make it crystal clear that there is no intent 
for this measure to apply to section 5902 of title 38. It does not. I 
have assured the veterans service organization that I will make every 
effort to make the legislation more specific about this point during 
conference.


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