[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1568-H1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXTENDING AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO ENHANCED-USE LEASES, AND RENAMING 
      U.S. COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS AND NATIONAL CEMETERY SYSTEM

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1092) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the 
authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into enhanced-
use leases for Department of Veterans Affairs property, to rename the 
U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals and the National Cemetery System, and 
for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1092

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

     SECTION 1. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of title 38, United States Code.
  TITLE I--ENHANCED-USE LEASES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REAL 
                                PROPERTY

     SEC. 101. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ENHANCED-USE LEASES OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REAL PROPERTY.

       (a) Five-Year Extension of Authority.--Section 8169 is 
     amended by striking out ``December 31, 1997'' and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``December 31, 2002''.
       (b) Repeal of Limitation on Number of Agreements.--(1) 
     Section 8168 is repealed.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 is 
     amended by striking out the item relating to section 8168.
                     TITLE II--RENAMING PROVISIONS

     SEC. 201. RENAMING OF THE COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS.

       (a) In General.--(1) The United States Court of Veterans 
     Appeals shall hereafter be known and designated as the United 
     States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
       (2) Section 7251 is amended by striking out ``United States 
     Court of Veterans Appeals'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) The following sections are amended by striking out 
     ``Court of Veterans Appeals''

[[Page H1569]]

     each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``Court 
     of Appeals for Veterans Claims'': sections 5904, 7101(b), 
     7252(a), 7253, 7254, 7255, 7256, 7261, 7262, 7263, 7264, 
     7266(a)(1), 7267(a), 7268(a), 7269, 7281(a), 7282(a), 7283, 
     7284, 7285(a), 7286, 7291, 7292, 7296, 7297, and 7298.
       (2)(A)(i) The heading of section 7286 is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``Sec. 7286. Judicial Conference of the Court of Appeals for 
       Veterans Claims''.

       (ii) The item relating to section 7286 in the table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 72 is amended to read as 
     follows:

``7286. Judicial Conference of the Court of Appeals for Veterans 
              Claims.''.

       (B)(i) The heading of section 7291 is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``Sec. 7291. Date when United States Court of Appeals for 
       Veterans Claims decision becomes final''.

       (ii) The item relating to section 7291 in the table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 72 is amended to read as 
     follows:

``7291. Date when United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 
              decision becomes final.''.

       (C)(i) The heading of section 7298 is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``Sec. 7298. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Retirement 
       Fund''.

       (ii) The item relating to section 7298 in the table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 72 is amended to read as 
     follows:

``7298. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Retirement Fund.''.

       (3) The item relating to chapter 72 in the table of 
     chapters at the beginning of title 38 and the item relating 
     to such chapter in the table of chapters at the beginning of 
     part V are amended to read as follows:

United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims..............7251''.

       (c) Conforming Amendments to Other Laws.--
       (1) The following provisions of law are amended by striking 
     out ``Court of Veterans Appeals'' each place it appears and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``Court of Appeals for Veterans 
     Claims'':
       (A) Section 8440d of title 5, United States Code.
       (B) Section 2412 of title 28, United States Code.
       (C) Section 906 of title 44, United States Code.
       (D) Section 109 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.).
       (2)(A) The heading of section 8440d of title 5, United 
     States Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 8440d. Judges of the United States Court of Appeals 
       for Veterans Claims''.

       (B) The item relating to such section in the table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 84 of such title is 
     amended to read as follows:

``8440d. Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
              Claims.''.

       (d) Other Legal References.--Any reference in a law, 
     regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United 
     States to the United States Court of Veterans Appeals shall 
     be deemed to be a reference to the United States Court of 
     Appeals for Veterans Claims.

     SEC. 202. REDESIGNATION OF NATIONAL CEMETERY SYSTEM.

       (a) Redesignation as National Cemetery Administration.--(1) 
     The National Cemetery System of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs shall hereafter be known and designated as the 
     National Cemetery Administration. The position of Director of 
     the National Cemetery System is hereby redesignated as 
     Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs.
       (2) Section 301(c)(4) is amended by striking out ``National 
     Cemetery System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``National 
     Cemetery Administration''.
       (3) Section 307 of such title is amended--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking out ``a Director of 
     the National Cemetery System'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``an Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs''; and
       (B) in the second sentence, by striking out ``The 
     Director'' and all that follows through ``National Cemetery 
     System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``The Assistant 
     Secretary is the head of the National Cemetery 
     Administration''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1)(A) The heading of section 307 is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``Sec. 307. Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs''.

       (B) The item relating to section 307 in the table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 3 is amended to read as 
     follows:

``307. Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs.''.

       (2) Section 308 is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by inserting before the period at 
     the end of the first sentence ``, in addition to the 
     Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs'';
       (B) in subsection (b), by inserting ``other than the 
     Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs'' after ``Assistant 
     Secretaries''; and
       (C) in subsection (c), by inserting ``pursuant to 
     subsection (b)'' after ``Assistant Secretary''.
       (3) Section 2306(d) is amended by striking out ``within the 
     National Cemetery System'' each place such term appears and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``under the control of the National 
     Cemetery Administration''.
       (4) Section 2400 is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by striking out ``National Cemetery System'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``National Cemetery Administration 
     responsible''; and
       (ii) in the second sentence, by striking out ``Such 
     system'' and all that follows through ``National Cemetery 
     System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``The National 
     Cemetery Administration shall be headed by the Assistant 
     Secretary for Memorial Affairs'';
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking out ``National Cemetery 
     System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``national cemeteries 
     and other facilities under the control of the National 
     Cemetery Administration''; and
       (C) by amending the heading to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 2400. Establishment of National Cemetery 
       Administration; composition of Administration''.

       (5) The item relating to section 2400 in the table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 24 is amended to read as 
     follows:

``2400. Establishment of National Cemetery Administration; composition 
              of Administration.''.

       (6) Section 2402 is amended in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1) by striking out ``in the National Cemetery 
     System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``under the control of 
     the National Cemetery Administration''.
       (7) Section 2403(c) is amended by striking out ``in the 
     National Cemetery System created by this chapter'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``under the control of the National 
     Cemetery Administration''.
       (8) Section 2405(c) is amended--
       (A) by striking out ``within the National Cemetery System'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``under the control of the 
     National Cemetery Administration''; and
       (B) by striking out ``within such System'' and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``under the control of such Administration''.
       (9) Section 2408(c)(1) is amended by striking out ``in the 
     National Cemetery System'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``under the control of the National Cemetery 
     Administration''.
       (10) Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking out ``(6)'' after ``Assistant Secretaries, 
     Department of Veterans Affairs'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``(7)''; and
       (B) by striking out ``Director of the National Cemetery 
     System.''.
       (c) Savings Provisions.--
       (1) Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, 
     paper, or other record of the United States to the National 
     Cemetery System shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
     National Cemetery Administration.
       (2) Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, 
     paper, or other record of the United States to the Director 
     of the National Cemetery System shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
     Memorial Affairs.
       (d) Initial Appointment.--The initial appointment of an 
     individual to the position of Assistant Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs for Memorial Affairs may be made by the President 
     alone if the individual appointed is the individual who was 
     serving as the Director of the National Cemetery System on 
     the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.
      TITLE III--CODIFICATION OF PRIOR COMPENSATION RATE INCREASES

     SEC. 301. DISABILITY COMPENSATION.

       Section 1114 is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$87'' in subsection (a) and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$94'';
       (2) by striking out ``$166'' in subsection (b) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$179'';
       (3) by striking out ``$253'' in subsection (c) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$274'';
       (4) by striking out ``$361'' in subsection (d) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$391'';
       (5) by striking out ``$515'' in subsection (e) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$558'';
       (6) by striking out ``$648'' in subsection (f) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$703'';
       (7) by striking out ``$819'' in subsection (g) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$887'';
       (8) by striking out ``$948'' in subsection (h) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,028'';
       (9) by striking out ``$1,067'' in subsection (i) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,157'';
       (10) by striking out ``$1,774'' in subsection (j) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,924'';
       (11) in subsection (k)--
       (A) by striking out ``$70'' each place it appears and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$74''; and
       (B) by striking out ``$2,207'' and ``$3,093'' and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$2,393'' and ``$3,356'', respectively;
       (12) by striking out ``$2,207'' in subsection (l) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,393'';
       (13) by striking out ``$2,432'' in subsection (m) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,639'';
       (14) by striking out ``$2,768'' in subsection (n) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$3,003'';
       (15) by striking out ``$3,093'' each place it appears in 
     subsections (o) and (p) and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``$3,356'';
       (16) by striking out ``$1,328'' and ``$1,978'' in 
     subsection (r) and inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,441'' and 
     ``$2,145'', respectively; and
       (17) by striking out ``$1,985'' in subsection (s) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,154''.

     SEC. 302. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS.

       Section 1115(1) is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$105'' in clause (A) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$112'';

[[Page H1570]]

       (2) by striking out ``$178'' and ``$55'' in clause (B) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$191'' and ``$59'', respectively;
       (3) by striking out ``$72'' and ``$55'' in clause (C) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$77'' and ``$59'', respectively;
       (4) by striking out ``$84'' in clause (D) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$91'';
       (5) by striking out ``$195'' in clause (E) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$211''; and
       (6) by striking out ``$164'' in clause (F) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$177''.

     SEC. 303. CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

       Section 1162 is amended by striking out ``$478'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$518.''

     SEC. 304. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING 
                   SPOUSES.

       Section 1311 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking out ``$769'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$833'';
       (2) in subsection (a)(2), by striking out ``$169'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$182'';
       (3) in subsection (a)(3), by striking out the table therein 
     and inserting in lieu thereof the following:


                                                                        
  ``Pay grade                                               Monthly rate
    E-7...............................................              $861
    E-8...............................................               909
    E-9...............................................           \1\ 949
    W-1...............................................               880
    W-2...............................................               915
    W-3...............................................               943
    W-4...............................................               997
    O-1...............................................               880
    O-2...............................................               909
    O-3...............................................               972
    O-4...............................................             1,028
    O-5...............................................             1,132
    O-6...............................................             1,276
    O-7...............................................             1,378
    O-8...............................................             1,510
    O-9...............................................             1,618
    O-10..............................................         \2\ 1,774
                                                                        
``\1\If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior        
  enlisted advisor of the Navy, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, 
  sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty officer of  
  the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of 
  this title, the surviving spouse's rate shall be $1,023.              
``\2\If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Joint    
  Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval           
  Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine 
  Corps, or Commandant of the Coast Guard, at the applicable time       
  designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate 
  shall be $1,902.'';                                                   

       (4) in subsection (b), by striking out ``$100 for each such 
     child'' and all that follows through ``thereafter'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$211 for each such child'';
       (5) in subsection (c), by striking out ``$195'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$211''; and
       (6) in subsection (d), by striking out ``$95'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$102''.

     SEC. 305. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR CHILDREN.

       (a) DIC for Orphan Children.--Section 1313(a) is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$327'' in clause (1) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$354'';
       (2) by striking out ``$471'' in clause (2) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$510'';
       (3) by striking out ``$610'' in clause (3) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$662''; and
       (4) by striking out ``$610'' and ``$120'' in clause (4) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$662'' and ``$130'', 
     respectively.
       (b) Supplemental DIC for Disabled Adult Children.--Section 
     1314 is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$195'' in subsection (a) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$211'';
       (2) by striking out ``$327'' in subsection (b) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$354''; and
       (3) by striking out ``$166'' in subsection (c) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$179''.

     SEC. 306. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this title shall take effect as of 
     December 1, 1996.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona [Mr. Stump] and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump].
  (Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)


                             general leave

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1092.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  (Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1092 has several provisions which, one, extends the 
authority of the VA to enter into enhanced-use leases for VA property, 
renames the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals, renames the National 
Cemetery System, codifies the increased compensation rates authorized 
in last year's COLA bill.
  Enhanced-use leasing is a tool with which the VA can work with the 
private sector to develop VA property for mutual beneficial uses. This 
authority has proven effective in developing child care centers, 
parking facilities, and regional offices on VA campuses. We want to 
encourage the Department to continue and expand these efforts.
  The bill also changes the name of the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals 
to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. According to Chief 
Judge Nebeker, this will clarify that the court is independent of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Changing the name of the National Cemetery System to the National 
Cemetery Administration would make it consistent with other 
administrations within the VA.
  Finally, the bill codfies the compensation and D-I-C increase we 
enacted in last year's COLA bill. This will make the correct rates 
available to more people, and has no effect on the amounts actually 
paid.
  I would like to thank all the members of the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs, and in particular the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans], the 
ranking member, for their willingness to move these provisions through 
the committee very expeditiously.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This legislation is an important measure for our Nation's veterans. I 
encourage all of our colleagues to support its approval today by the 
House.
  In the interests of time, Mr. Speaker, I would limit my comments on 
H.R. 1092 to title II of the bill. Title II of this bill renames the 
Court of Veterans Appeals. This title of the bill incorporates the 
provisions of H.R. 1089, which I introduced on March 18, 1997.
  Too often veterans and others have been confused with the Court of 
Veterans Appeals and with the Board of Veterans Appeals. I understand 
this confusion has caused the court to record a message advising 
callers that they had reached the Court of Veterans Appeals. The caller 
is then instructed to dial a different number if he or she is inquiring 
about the status of a case before the Board of Veterans Appeals.
  This change was requested and recommended by the chief judge of the 
court, Judge Nebeker, in recent testimony before the committee. The new 
name, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, is consistent with 
the name of other similar appellate courts and should help end this 
widespread confusion.
  Title II also changes the name of the National Cemetery System to the 
National Cemetery Administration, and designates the head of the 
National Cemetery Administration as the Assistant Secretary for 
Memorial Affairs. The reference to Memorial Affairs reflects the 
broader functions assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary.
  Title III of this bill will simply codify the fiscal year 1997 
compensation rate increase previously adopted. Mr. Speaker, I am 
pleased to have joined with Chairman Stump in the introduction of this 
legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Stearns], chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Hospitals and Health Care.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the full committee 
for yielding time to me.
   Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1092, and commend my chairman 
for bringing this bill to the floor for consideration early in this 
session. I believe we are sending the VA an important signal today in 
taking early action on this legislation.
  With this bill, we are not only extending a good program but 
expanding it to encourage highly productive public-private 
partnerships. This bill would extend for 5 years the VA's authority to 
enter into long-term leases of underutilized VA property in order to 
foster development of projects which will benefit the VA as well as the 
lessee.
  This authority has been effective in encouraging development of 
construction projects that have proven both directly and monetarily 
beneficial to the Department. Mr. Speaker, existing law imposes certain 
limits on this authority, which I believe have outlived their 
usefulness. It limits to 10 the number

[[Page H1571]]

of enhanced-use leases that the VA may execute in any year, and caps at 
20 the total number of such projects under this authority. In lifting 
these limitations, H.R. 1092 should help spark an expansion of an 
important partnership concept.
   Mr. Speaker, I urge all of the Members to support H.R. 1092.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Filner].
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me, and the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Arizona 
[Mr. Stump] for his leadership, and the chairman of the subcommittee, 
the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Stearns] for helping bring this to the 
floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I, too, support H.R. 1092. As we have heard from the 
chairman, it will expand the ability of the Veterans Administration to 
enter into what is called enhanced-use leases. These leases, with both 
private and public entities, require that underused VA property be 
improved to contribute to the VA mission. The leases that have been 
established in the past under this authority have, without any 
exception, helped the VA to better serve our Nation's veterans.
  So not only are we leasing for revenue, but we are improving the 
ability of the VA to serve our veterans in the future. I am looking 
forward to an expansion of this important and very successful program.
  As the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans] said, 
H.R. 1092 would rename the Court of Veterans Appeals as the U.S. Court 
of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
  The committee has been told by veterans and attorneys representing 
them that the court, an independent judicial body, is frequently 
confused with the Board of Veterans Appeals, which is an administrative 
arm of the VA. We expect this name change to eliminate the widespread 
confusion. This renaming would also be consistent with recent changes 
in the names of other courts.
  Last, Mr. Speaker, the National Cemetery System would be redesignated 
as the National Cemetery Administration under this legislation. The 
cemetery system would thus have the same organizational status within 
the VA as the other VA major components responsible for delivering 
benefits; that is, the Veterans Benefit Administration and the Veterans 
Health Administration.
  The bill would also redesignate the director of the National Cemetery 
System as the assistant secretary for memorial affairs, thus assuring 
that this position has the status which reflects its responsibilities.
  There is a provision also in H.R. 1092 that would protect our 
veterans by putting into law the increase in veterans compensation 
benefits that took effect December 1, 1996. H.R. 1092 is supported by 
the entire Committee on Veterans Affairs, under the leadership of the 
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], as well as the major veterans 
service organizations. I, too, urge my colleagues to approve this 
measure.
  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1092, a bill 
to extend the VA's authority to enter into enhanced use leases; rename 
the U.S. Court of Veterans' Appeals the U.S. Court of Appeals for 
Veterans Claims; and codify the fiscal year 1997 VA compensation rates 
to reflect cost-of-living adjustments effective December 1, 1996. 
Additionally, I support H.R. 1090, a bill to allow veterans to appeal 
certain claims which may have been erroneously denied by the VA. Both 
of these bills will assist us with our efforts to provide a suitable 
quality of life for our Nation's veterans. I want to commend Chairman 
Stump, Congressman Evans, and the Veterans Committee for continued 
leadership and hard work on these measures and others affecting the 
veterans community.
  America owes its freedom and prosperity to its veterans. So many of 
them put their lives on the line so that the guiding principles we hold 
so dear remain protected. Just as they fought on the front lines 
protecting the security of our great Nation, we must be on the front 
lines fighting for their well-being and security.
  The two veterans bills on the floor today will assist us in this 
endeavor. H.R. 1092 will extend the authority of the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to enter into enhanced use leases for underutilized VA 
property. The public-private partnerships created as a result of these 
leases has proven to be worthwhile. Enhanced use leasing authority has 
led to the development of a number of beneficial projects: child care 
centers, parking facilities, and VA office space. These projects and 
others currently in the development stage greatly contribute to the 
strength of the VA and its mission. Also, additional revenue received 
from these leases is used for critical medical care services and 
nursing homes.
  I also support provisions of the bill renaming the U.S. Court of 
Veterans Appeals. Because of its name, many veterans and attorneys have 
been highly confused about the jurisdiction and authority of this body. 
The name change established by the bill will prove beneficial by 
clarifying that this is an independent judicial body and not an 
administrative tribunal within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Additionally, the bill codifies fiscal year 1997 VA compensation 
rates to reflect cost-of-living adjustments effective December 1, 1996. 
This is important so that we can protect veterans compensation by 
locking in rates established by the adjustment.
  Again, I want to commend the committee for passing H.R. 1090. This 
bill would make an important change by allowing veterans to appeal 
decisions by the Board of Veterans Appeals for clear and unmistakable 
errors. The veterans' community has been pointing out for some time 
that the restrictions against appealing VA decisions for clear and 
unmistakable error are grossly unfair. This bill is very important 
because it gives veterans an adequate recourse when there has been 
grave error by the VA. More importantly, it ensures that if the VA 
makes an error, veterans will not be denied compensation benefits.
  H.R. 1092 and H.R. 1090 are tools to be used in the tireless fight on 
behalf of the veterans community. Again, I express my support and thank 
the Veterans Committee for its work. I urge my colleagues to support 
these bills.
  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1092 eliminates the current cap on 
enhanced use leases for the VA. These leases are models of how Federal 
agencies may enter into agreements with developers and other entities 
to get the most out of VA-owned real property. These leases allow 
developers to build on VA property to provide space to both the VA and 
private concerns. The result is a lower cost VA infrastructure for the 
taxpayers and quality commercial space for local businesses.
  The bill also changes the name of the National Cemetery System to the 
National Cemetery Administration and the title of the Director to the 
Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs to more accurately describe 
the scope of the position's responsibilities.
  Additionally, the bill changes the name of the Court of Veterans 
Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
  Finally, the bill codifies the increased rates of veterans service-
connected compensation resulting from the cost-of-living allowance 
effective last December.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1092.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1092.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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