[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HOMELESS VETERANS ASSISTANCE ACT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Washington [Mr. Metcalf] is
recognized during morning hour debates for 1 minute.
Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that today I, along
with the gentleman from Arizona, Bob Stump, have introduced H.R. 1754,
the Robert Stodola Homeless Veterans Assistance Act. The plight of our
Nation's homeless has caught the attention of Congress, and many
programs are available to help move these people back into society.
Sadly, though, one of the largest elements of the homeless
population, roughly one-third, are short changed each year. These are
our country's homeless veterans. For many years, the veterans' share of
Federal dollars targeted at our homeless population has been in the
single digits. This legislation would ensure a fair share for our
veterans, requiring that at least 20 percent of these Federal dollars
be spent on programs that primarily benefit homeless veterans.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is endorsed by the Vietnam Veterans of
America, the American Legion, the Non-Commissioned Officers Association
of the United States, and the Blind Veterans Association. I would ask
my colleagues to cosponsor and support this legislation.
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