[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H3395-H3398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1300
AUTHORIZING MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS AND MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY
LEASES FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3603) to authorize major medical facility projects and major
medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for
fiscal year 1999, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3603
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
carry out the following major medical facility projects, with
each project to be carried out in the amount specified for
that project:
(1) Alterations to facilitate consolidation of services in
buildings 126 and 150, and demolition of seismically unsafe
building 122 at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center, Long Beach, California, in an amount not to exceed
$23,200,000.
(2) Construction and seismic work at the Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an
amount not to exceed $50,000,000.
(3) Outpatient clinic expansion at the Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, D.C., in an
amount not to exceed $29,700,000.
(4) Construction of a psychogeriatric care building and
demolition of seismically unsafe building 324 at the
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Palo Alto,
California, in an amount not to exceed $22,400,000.
(5) Construction of an ambulatory care addition and
renovations for ambulatory care at the Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland (Wade Park), Ohio, in an
amount not to exceed $28,300,000, of which $7,500,000 shall
be derived from funds appropriated for a fiscal year before
fiscal year 1999 that remain available for obligation.
(6) Construction of an ambulatory care addition at the
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tucson,
Arizona, in an amount not to exceed $35,000,000.
(7) Construction of an addition for psychiatric care at the
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, Texas,
in an amount not to exceed $24,200,000.
(8) Outpatient clinic projects at Auburn and Merced,
California, as part of the Northern California Healthcare
Systems Project, in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000, to be
derived only from funds appropriated for Construction, Major
Projects, for a fiscal year before fiscal year 1999 that
remain available for obligation.
(b) Construction of Parking Facility.--The Secretary may
construct a parking structure at the Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, in an amount not to
exceed $13,000,000, of which $11,900,000 shall be derived
from funds in the Parking Revolving Fund.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into leases for
satellite outpatient clinics as follows:
(1) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in an amount not to exceed
$1,800,000.
(2) Daytona Beach, Florida, in an amount not to exceed
$2,600,000.
(3) Oakland Park, Florida, in an amount not to exceed
$4,100,000.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1999--
(1) for the Construction, Major Projects, account
$205,300,000 for the projects authorized in section 1(a); and
(2) for the Medical Care account, $8,500,000 for the leases
authorized in section 2.
(b) Limitation.--(1) The projects authorized in section
1(a) may only be carried out using--
(A) funds appropriated for fiscal year 1999 pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations in subsection (a);
(B) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects,
for a fiscal year before fiscal year 1999 that remain
available for obligation; and
(C) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects,
for a fiscal year before fiscal year 1999 for a category of
activity not specific to a project.
(2) The project authorized in section 1(b) may only be
carried out using funds appropriated for a fiscal year before
fiscal year 1999--
(A) for the Parking Revolving Fund; or
(B) for Construction, Major Projects, for a category of
activity not specific to a project.
SEC. 4. THRESHOLD FOR TREATMENT OF PARKING FACILITY PROJECT
AS A MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT.
Section 8109(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking out ``$3,000,000'' and inserting
``$4,000,000''.
SEC. 5. PROCEDURES FOR NAMING OF PROPERTY BY SECRETARY OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 530. Procedures for naming property
``(a) If the Secretary proposes to designate the name of
any property of the Department other than for the geographic
area in which that property is located, the Secretary shall
conduct a public hearing before making the designation. The
hearing shall be conducted in the community in which the
property is located. At the hearing, the Secretary shall
receive the views of veterans service organizations and other
interested parties regarding the proposed name of the
property.
``(b) Before conducting such a hearing, the Secretary shall
provide reasonable notice of the proposed designation and of
the hearing. The notice shall include--
``(1) the time and place of the hearing;
``(2) identification of the property proposed to be named;
``(3) identification of the proposed name for the property;
``(c)(1) If after a hearing under subsection (a) the
Secretary intends to name the property involved other than
for the geographic area in which that property is located,
the Secretary shall notify the congressional veterans'
affairs committees of the Secretary's intention to so name
the property and shall publish a notice of such intention in
the Federal Register.
``(2) The Secretary may not designate the property with a
name for which a notice was published in the Federal Register
pursuant to paragraph (1) until the end of a 60-day period of
continuous session of Congress following the date of the
submission of notice under paragraph (1). For purposes of the
preceding sentence, continuity of a session of Congress is
broken only by an adjournment sine die, and there shall be
excluded from the computation of such 60-day period any day
during which either House of Congress is not in session
during an adjournment of more than three days to a day
certain.
``(3) Each notice under paragraph (1) shall include the
following:
``(A) An identification of the property involved.
``(B) An explanation of the background of, and rationale
for, the proposed name.
``(C) A summary of the views expressed by interested
parties at the public hearing conducted in connection with
the proposed name, together with a summary of the Secretary's
evaluation of those views.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 529 the following new item:
``530. Procedures for naming property.''.
(c) Effective Date.--Section 530 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect as of
January 1, 1998.
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).
General Leave
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H.R. 3603, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
[[Page H3396]]
There was no objection.
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3603 authorizes a total of $205
million in major medical construction projects throughout the United
States. It also authorizes $8.5 million in VA's medical care account
for leasing facilities. All of these projects will be funded from this
increase at the top of the VA's priority list of construction projects.
Madam Speaker, let me mention one of the provisions contained in this
bill. After the bill reported out of the Committee, we became aware of
a controversy regarding the VA Secretary's authority to name VA
facilities. In order to avoid circumstances like this in the future, we
have added this provision establishing a public hearing procedure to be
followed by the Secretary if he decides to name a facility other than
for the geographic area in which it is located. This provision would be
retroactive until January 1 of this year.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 3603, a bill to authorize
VA's major medical construction and lease projects for fiscal year
1999.
I want to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Stump), the Chairman of the Committee, for supporting a completely
bipartisan process. The projects VA identified as the highest
priorities comprise those we recommended for funding for fiscal year
1999.
I believe the bill will allow VA to fund projects that are consistent
with VA's efforts to ensure patient safety and accommodate more care on
an outpatient basis.
We have been cautious stewards, and the projects authorized in this
bill are of vital importance to VA and the veterans that rely on them
for their care. I recommend support for adoption of the major medical
construction projects contained in H.R. 3603, as amended; and I urge my
colleagues to support the resolution.
While VA has significantly reduced its reliance on outpatient bed
care, VA providers will continue in the foreseeable future to need beds
in a variety of settings. Remaining beds must be housed in modern, safe
and accessible facilities.Two projects redress systemic, seismic
problems in the San Juan, Puerto Rico and Long Beach, California
facilities and both were requested by the Administration.
Other selected projects allow VA to continue moving more expensive
hospital bed care to outpatient care settings. Some projects
consolidate VA's activities and allow it to become more cost effective.
In addition, the Committee is authorizing funds for three major leases
for outpatient facilities. These leases will allow VA to take advantage
of the community's excess capacity and become more accessible to its
users. These projects are not only consistent with recent trends in VA
health care, they are consistent with the direction of modern medicine.
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman).
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona Mr.
Stump) for yielding me the time.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of this
measure, legislation authorizing major medical construction projects
and facility leases for the VA in fiscal year 1999 throughout our
country.
I commend the distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Arizona Mr.
Stump), for his work in bringing this measure to the floor at this time
and for his committee's work.
One of the most important responsibilities that we have as a Nation
is to provide proper medical care for our veterans. As our veterans
population ages, the need for medical care becomes even more acute.
This legislation will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund
nine high-priority medical projects throughout our Nation and to lease
three medical facilities.
Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this worthy
legislation, which will provide improved health care for our veterans.
Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Colorado (Ms. DeGette).
Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Evans) for yielding me the time.
I rise today in support of this legislation because it addresses the
critical needs of medical centers throughout the country. In Denver,
for example, the need for a new parking structure has increased with
the expansion of programs provided by the VA Medical Center, especially
outpatient programs and the increasing employment necessitated by the
programs.
Currently, the lack of available parking impedes access to care. Less
than 400 parking spaces are available on the grounds; and many
patients, some of whom it is difficult to walk far, have to park up to
five blocks away from the medical center.
H.R. 3603 addresses this problem. It provides for construction of a
multi-level structure to house 700 parking spaces, and it includes a
horizontal connection to the existing medical center. Consequently, it
will enhance our ability to provide timely, efficient health care to
the veterans, the many veterans, in the Denver metropolitan area.
I thank the Ranking Member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans),
and the Chairman of the Committee, the gentleman from Arizona Mr.
Stump), for their leadership and assistance in providing this important
funding.
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), chairman of the Subcommittee on
Health.
Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Stump), chairman of our full committee, for yielding me
the time.
I rise in support of H.R. 3603, which, of course, is the construction
authorization bill.
Madam Speaker, the VA health care system is going through a period of
needed change toward providing care more efficiently and improving
veterans' access to care. With our encouragement, VA has opened many
community-based clinics to bring medical care closer to all of our
veterans.
Nevertheless, Congress expects VA to continue to provide hospital and
nursing home care for veterans in VA medical centers across this
country. Like the veterans themselves, many of these facilities are
aging, are having problems in construction. We cannot turn our backs on
our veterans, and we should not turn our backs on the hospitals on
which they depend. We must face the fact that some of these facilities
require major renovations to meet patient care, safety and, of course,
privacy requirements.
The VA's major construction budget is the vehicle to address those
needs. Yet, despite the fact that many VA hospitals need significant
construction work, the administration's fiscal year 1999 budget
proposes to fund construction work at only two VA medical centers. This
is unclear to me why. The administration even failed to request any
funding for three projects that VA itself has indicated is their top
priority.
Madam Speaker, this bill will remedy this failure. In proposing $205
million for major medical construction, H.R. 3603 would authorize what
the committee believes is both a more appropriate level of construction
funding than the $84 million proposed by the President and a more
appropriate mix of needed construction projects.
With this legislation, Congress would set a course towards remedying
some of the most pressing construction needs in the entire VA system.
These include projects to provide badly needed outpatient clinic
capacity at some of VA busiest medical centers, improve psychiatric
care and renovation of seismically unsafe facilities.
As Memorial Day approaches, we must not only remember our veterans
but take steps, like the passage of this legislation this afternoon, to
honor the commitments to our veterans. I urge my colleagues to support
H.R. 3603.
Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support
of this bill.
Much of my career was spent working with veterans at the Veterans
Administration Medical Center in Dallas,
[[Page H3397]]
and I know full well the strides that they have attempted to make to
improve services.
The Veterans Integrated Service Network 17 serving North, Central and
South Texas, has sought major construction assistance for over 10 years
to replace its 58-year-old mental health facility at the Dallas VA
Medical Center.
The North Texas VA Mental Health Enhancement Project was originally
authorized in 1996, and I am very pleased that the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs saw fit to include this vital project in the major
construction authorization bill for 1999.
The Veterans Integrated Service Network 17 has the highest
concentration of combat veterans in the U.S., as well as the highest
proportion of POWs and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder treatment
programs.
The Dallas Medical Center is the primary veterans' mental health
provider in the network, serving approximately 7,000 veterans with
mental health needs each year. The Dallas VA has done an extraordinary
job streamlining its mental health programs to better serve Texas
veterans with mental health needs. But the age, limited space, and poor
physical condition of the 1930s-era mental health facilities have
severely limited its ability to treat many veterans seeking mental
health services. Some of these buildings are literally crumbling around
our veterans. All are functionally obsolete.
Our veterans really do deserve better. The mental health enhancement
project will consolidate all mental health inpatient and outpatient
programs currently scattered around VA campus in makeshift sites into
one new building located adjacent to the clinical building. This will
allow the Dallas VA to expand its outpatient programs and reduce its
inpatient nursing beds.
As important, veterans will be able to go to one location for mental
health and medical services rather than being run all over the campus.
I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill.
I know that this project, as essential as it is and just beginning to
get some attention, I know how important the rest of them are, and I
hope we can support all of them.
Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo).
Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished ranking
member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), for yielding me the
time.
I rise in support of H.R. 3603.
On February 9, 1971, the aftershocks of an earthquake in California
were felt all the way to Washington. A shift in the San Andreas Fault
caused the destruction of the San Fernando Veterans Administration
Hospital in Sylmar, California, resulting in the death of 46 patients.
With a great sense of urgency, the U.S. Congress convened hearings and
eventually established the Chartered Committee on Safety.
The Veterans Administration initiated a comprehensive assessment of
every VA medical center in the system. The studies revealed that 68
medical centers were located in at-risk geographic areas where major or
moderate earthquakes may occur. Of these, 39 facilities were found to
be in need of seismic strengthening and compliance with seismic codes.
Despite the fact that Puerto Rico is located in one of the most
seismically active zones in the United States and that the potential
for loss of life ranks very high in the event of an earthquake, seismic
corrections and strengthening at the Puerto Rico VA Medical Center
initially were not prioritized in the highest-risk group.
VA studies in 1990 confirmed the high seismicity of the site and
urged that the San Juan Medical Center warranted inclusion in this
group. San Juan was then added to the inventory of high-risk facilities
and scheduled last.
VA studies anticipate that in an earthquake, without seismic
corrections, Building 1, the main hospital, would sustain serious
structural damage, possibly collapsing and resulting in a loss of life.
After a decade of delays, this center, which happens to be one of the
busiest, if not the busiest, VA hospital centers in the United States,
will finally receive the necessary funds in fiscal year 1999 to
guarantee the safety of the American veterans in Puerto Rico.
San Juan's VA Medical Center is currently the only remaining hospital
identified as the highest priority need that still remains in the at-
risk inventory group. The President's budget for fiscal year 1999
requests $50 million for this project as part of the VA's major medical
construction project. A two-story, 155-bed medical and surgical
building that includes a 15-bed spinal cord injury center will be
constructed to correct seismic deficiencies at the Medical Center.
I want to thank the Chairman, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump),
and the Ranking Member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lane), and all
of the members of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs who have
recommended that this project be authorized.
I urge the Members of the U.S. Congress to approve this much-needed
VA construction bill without further delays. The American veterans and
their families in Puerto Rico deserve to receive treatment in a
healthy, safe environment that poses no unnecessary health, safety or
life-threatening risks, just like any other veteran in any other State
of the Union. I urge approval of this bill.
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
In closing, let me thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), the
Ranking Member of the full committee, the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Stearns) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), the Chairman
and Ranking Member the of subcommittee, for all their hard work in
putting this bill together.
This is a bipartisan bill, and I urge all Members to support it.
Mr. HORN. Madam Speaker, I rise to day in strong support of H.R.
3603, the VA Major Medical Facility Projects Authorization bill. This
bill authorizes $205 million for major medical facility projects across
the country, $140 million more than the President requested in his
budget.
Along with the other worthy projects in this bill, $23 million is
dedicated to the consolidation of clinical and administrative services
into a seismically upgraded building at the Long Beach VA Medical
Center. Providing a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, and home care
services for veterans throughout Southern California, the Long Beach VA
has been recognized for the integral role it plays in Southern
California's health care system. The Long Beach Center has also
achieved national prominence in the field of spinal cord injury and the
rehabilitation of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients.
Given the seismically unstable location of the Medical Center, it is
critical that all acute patient care facilities are located in
seismically safe buildings. This legislation ensures that. Not only
does this project project the health and safety of the Long Beach VA
employees and its patients, it also makes efficient use of scarce
government funds. This project will avoid a cost of $34 million for
additional seismic corrections and save $5.6 million in annual
recurring operating expenses. Now that is a project worth investing in.
As we honor those who have served and sacrificed their lives for our
country over the Memorial Day weekend, it is fitting that today the
House is considering legislation to fulfill our continuing obligation
to our nation's veterans. Their service on our nation's behalf stands
as a model of courage and commitment. We cannot afford to forget them.
Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my dismay at a
provision that was slipped into H.R. 3603, the bill to authorize major
medical facility projects for the Department of Veteran's Affairs. This
provision was included specifically to undo the naming of the Abraham
Lincoln National Cemetery near Joliet, Illinois in my congressional
district. It came to my attention today, that a section was added to
the bill which would set up new procedures for the naming of national
veterans cemeteries and other properties of the VA. I was appalled to
learn that this provision is retroactive to January 1, 1998! This is
obviously intended to invalidate the decision of Secretary Togo West to
name the cemetery after Abraham Lincoln. This provision is an outrage!
It is a direct assault on the wishes of the veterans in Illinois. I
would like to note that the naming of the cemetery as the Abraham
Lincoln National Cemetery was endorsed by the Illinois State American
Legion, VFW, Amvets, Disabled American Legion and American Ex-POWs.
Clearly the veterans--those who will be buried there--want this name.
Clearly, this provision was inserted into the bill to go
[[Page H3398]]
against the wishes of the veterans. Abraham Lincoln created the
national cemetery system. Illinois is the ``Land of Lincoln.'' This
name is not only appropriate for the cemetery in Joliet, it is the only
name endorsed by the veterans--those who sacrificed for their country.
I will fight to have this retroactive provision changed. I submit a
copy of my statement to appear in the Congressional Record.
Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Department of Illinois,
Springfield, IL, May 21, 1997.
Hon. Jerry Weller,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Weller: The Department of Illinois,
Veterans of Foreign Wars, takes great pride in supporting the
introduction of legislation naming the new Veterans Cemetery
at the former Joliet Arsenal the ``Abraham Lincoln National
Cemetery''.
In naming the 982 acre site after President Abraham
Lincoln, we not only acknowledge the role he played in
creating the National Cemetery System, but also honor the
memory of the courageous men and women who answered our
nation's call to defend democracy and freedom.
The Department of Illinois, Veterans of Foreign Wars
certainly commend the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Department of Defense, Congress and the local communities for
their vision and initiatives in acquiring a portion of the
former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, and the beautiful Hoff
Woods site for use as the new National Cemetery to serve the
veterans and families of this midwest region.
We certainly appreciate your introducing this most
important legislation in the House of Representatives and
look forward to the passage of same.
With warmest personal regards and best wishes, I remain
Sincerely,
Donald Hartenberger,
Department Commander.
____
The American Legion,
Department of Illinois,
Bloomington, IL, April 10, 1997.
Hon. Jerry Weller,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Weller: The American Legion, Department
of Illinois, takes great pride in supporting the introduction
of legislation naming the new veterans cemetery at the former
Joliet Arsenal the ``Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.''
On Saturday, April 5, 1997 at Normal, Illinois, our state
Executive Committee approved a resolution commending the
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense,
Congress and the local communities for their vision and
initiatives in acquiring a portion of the former Joliet Army
Ammunition Plant, and the beautiful Hoff Woods site, for use
as the new National Cemetery to serve the veterans and
families of this midwest region.
A copy of the approved resolution is attached and we
respectfully urge the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the
United States Congress to confirm the designation of the
former Joliet Arsenal as the ``Abraham Lincoln National
Cemetery'' to honor all veterans and President Abraham
Lincoln, who first established the National Cemetery system.
Sincerely,
Vincent A. Sanzotta,
Department Adjutant.
____
Amvets,
Illinois State Headquarters,
Springfield, IL, September 26, 1997.
Hon. Jerry Weller,
Cannon House Office Bldg.,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Weller: Our last State Executive Committee
Meeting, held at the Hilton Hotel, Springfield, Illinois, on
September 12-14, 1997. At this meeting it was voted
unanimously to endorse your legislation to name the Joliet
National Cemetery as the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Since Mr. Lincoln was instrumental in establishing the
first National Cemetery, it is only befitting that he finally
receives the honor of having a National Cemetery named after
him.
Sincerely,
Jerry F. Foster,
Department Commander.
____
American Ex-Prisoners of War,
Department of Illinois,
Park Ridge, IL, October 21, 1997.
Hon. Jerry Weller,
130 Cannon Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Honorable Weller: We the American Ex-Prisoners of War
of the State of Illinois all agree to the naming of the
veterans cemetery in Joliet, Illinois to be called Abraham
Lincoln Veterans Cemetery.
Thank you for the American Ex-P.O.W.'s for their opinion on
this matter.
Sincerely,
Donald McCormick, Commander.
____
Disabled American Veterans,
Department of Illinois,
Oak Park, IL, October 28, 1997.
Hon. Jerry Weller,
House of Representatives
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Weller: The Department of Illinois,
Disabled American Veterans, strongly supports the
introduction of legislation naming the new Veterans Cemetery
at the former Joliet Arsenal the ``Abraham Lincoln National
Cemetery.''
Mr. Lincoln, as we all know, was instrumental in
establishing the first National Cemetery and it is only
befitting that he receives the honor of having a National
Cemetery named after him.
We certainly appreciate your introducing this most
important legislation in the House of Representatives because
now the veterans and their families in this Midwest region
will have a place to rest which they truly deserve and are
entitled to.
Sincerely,
George M. Isdale, Jr.,
Department Adjutant.
Ted Buck,
Department Commander.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my
support for H.R. 3603, a bill to authorize major medical facility
projects for the Veterans' Department.
The bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out
major medical facility projects at Department of Veterans Affairs
medical centers or outpatient clinics in 8 locations, including one in
my home state of Texas. This bill is a result of members from both
parties working together to ensure that facilities with the greatest
need for construction work will receive the resources necessary to
provide high quality care to our veterans.
I'm particularly pleased with the emphasis this bill gives to
projects that will increase the VA's ability to provide outpatient care
to veterans.
This bill effectively balances our fiscal responsibilities with the
needs of these facilities and the veterans who depend on them.
This legislation also stays focused on health care's shifting
emphasis from inpatient to ambulatory care by including a number of
outpatient projects.
I join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in supporting this
legislation so the men and women who fought for our freedom will be
provided with the best possible medical care.
Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). 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. 3603, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________