[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1584-H1585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PROBLEMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] is recognized for 5 minutes.

[[Page H1585]]

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise reluctantly today to highlight 
problems within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Over the past several months, incidents of sexual harassment by 
several VA senior career managers have come to my attention and, I 
might add, probably to all of our attention.
  This greatly disturbs me because Secretary Brown has repeatedly 
stated his support for a policy of zero tolerance toward sexual abuse.
  Recently one former VA medical center director who was found to have 
sexually harassed a female staff member and who also engaged in 
abusive, threatening, and inappropriate behavior toward other female 
staffers was transferred to the Bay Pines VA Medical Center in St. 
Petersburg, FL. This center serves many of the veterans in my Ninth 
Congressional District. He was also permitted to retain his salary in 
excess of $100,000 in a position that was created specifically for him. 
I am greatly concerned, Mr. Speaker, that the VA's policy of zero 
tolerance has, at best, not been implemented uniformly and, at worst, 
has been ignored. More disturbing have been revelations of 
mismanagement within the VA health care system itself.
  Our veterans, Mr. Speaker, have made tremendous sacrifices in defense 
of our freedoms and way of life.
  These sacrifices cannot be imagined by most people. Our veterans are 
entitled to the best and most timely health care services available.
  And overall, Mr. Speaker, I believe that the majority of our veterans 
receive high-quality care in VA facilities around the country; and yet, 
these allegations of mismanagement do raise serious questions: Can 
resources be allocated more efficiently? Is the VA fulfilling its 
obligation in meeting its commitment to our Nation's veterans?
  Mr. Speaker, these questions must be answered. I am pleased that 
Veterans' Affairs chairman, the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], and 
Oversight Investigation Subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from 
Alabama [Mr. Everett], have agreed to my request to hold hearings on 
these important matters. Tomorrow we will begin this process.
  Our Nation's veterans deserve to know, Mr. Speaker, that the money we 
appropriated to their health care will not be misspent on $26,000 fish 
tanks and $500 faucets but, rather, will be spent to meet their health 
care needs.
  Mr. Speaker, since coming to Congress, most of us have committed to 
fighting for our veterans. That commitment has never diminished. And 
so, we are anxious to hear from the VA about how they intend to 
continue to provide high-quality care to our Nation's veterans and how 
they will rectify any problems detrimental to that pursuit. Our 
veterans deserve no less.

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