[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E548-E549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______


                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 1996

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent for the final 
vote on Tuesday, April 16. I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote 
120.

[[Page E549]]



              VETERANS AFFAIRS HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

                                 ______


                             HON. MIKE WARD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 1996

  Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] 
Hospital Volunteer Program is one of the oldest and largest nationally 
coordinated programs and is an outgrowth of a movement that began 
during World War II. During that time, volunteers came, unsolicited, to 
VA hospitals to visit and entertain war-injured patients. After the 
war, national organizations and the VA formulated this effort by 
creating the VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee.
  This year is the 50th anniversary of VA Voluntary Service. That 
organization has coordinated the donation of more than 400 million 
community volunteer hours at VA medical centers since 1945.
  At the VA Medical Center [VAMC] in Louisville, 585 volunteers worked 
a total of 58,225 hours last year. This is equivalent to 26 full-time 
employees and valued at $706,269.
  Last year, Louisville VAMC volunteers gave $150,372 in material 
donations, such as personal hygiene items, art supplies, books, 
equipment, and vehicles to the medical center. In addition, our 
volunteers gave $58,321 in monetary donations last year.
  Volunteers are vital to the delivery of health care to our nation's 
veterans. They assist at the Louisville VAMC by transporting patients 
to different areas of the hospital, transporting records and files, 
visiting patients, assisting with recreation programs, and helping with 
clerical work.
  The most valuable contribution given to veteran patients by 
Louisville VAMC volunteers cannot be measured in any way. It is the 
gift of themselves--their compassion, caring, understanding, and 
dedication. Their very presence in the medical center contributes to 
putting frightened patients at ease and creating a comfortable 
environment for them.
  I salute the Louisville VA Medical Center's volunteers for their 
tireless service to our Nation's veterans.

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