[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            VETERANS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.  Fox) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to address my 
colleagues on two important veterans issues.
  There is a national veterans problem. According to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, approximately one in three homeless Americans are 
military veterans, an estimated 250,000 men and women.
  According to VA reports, homeless veterans overwhelmingly suffer from 
serious psychiatric or substance abuse disorders. Numerous studies have 
shown that destructive, addictive behavior and homelessness are 
inexorably linked. Chemical dependency, post-traumatic stress disorder 
and chronic physical problems affect a high percentage of homeless 
veterans. Approximately 75 percent of homeless veterans have a problem 
with alcohol and drugs, a rate of abuse higher than their nonvet 
counterparts, according to providers of services to homeless veterans.
  A shortfall of transitional housing for homeless veterans exists 
because Federal programs targeted specifically at these veterans 
currently serve only a fraction of those in need. To accommodate an 
estimated 250,000 homeless veterans, the VA has fewer than 5,000 
transitional-type beds under contract or as part of its domiciliary 
program for homeless veterans.
  Our House Committee on Veterans' Affairs believes the most effective 
method of reducing the revolving door syndrome plaguing the VA health 
care system is to ensure that veterans are being discharged to 
residences offering a highly structured, long-term housing program that 
requires sobriety, accountability and assistance in finding employment.
  The solution, Mr. Speaker, can be found in the Veterans Transitional 
Housing Opportunities Act, which I am proud to say that the House 
overwhelmingly voted for yesterday. This bill establishes a pilot 
program at the Department of Veterans Affairs to guarantee loans to 
community-based organizations that serve homeless veterans.
  The intent of the bill is to expand the supply of transitional 
housing for homeless veterans by authorizing the Veterans Affairs 
Secretary to guarantee loans for long-term transitional housing 
projects. I urge the U.S. Senate to take quick action to approve this 
important bill, and I thank the chairman, the gentleman from Arizona 
(Mr.  Stump), for his hard work in bringing this bill to the floor and 
authoring same.
  I also bring to the attention of my House colleagues, Mr. Speaker, 
the fact that we have approved wisely the Obey motion to make sure that 
we reject any cuts in veterans' benefits, including protection, 
tonight, of service-connected disability compensation to veterans for 
tobacco-related illnesses. We stand tonight by voting overwhelmingly, 
almost unanimously, for this amendment, which will make sure we do 
protect our veterans. And it has been recognized with favor by the 
American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans 
of America, and other service-related organizations.
  I know this takes a step in the right direction for our veterans, and 
I congratulate the House again in taking two steps forward this week 
for our veterans, the men and women who have served our country so 
gallantly.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. There is 
going to be a special order on behalf of my very good friend, Terry 
Sanford, led by the gentleman from North Carolina. Unfortunately, I 
cannot stay, but I appreciate the gentleman from Pennsylvania giving me 
this opportunity to ask unanimous consent that my remarks be included 
in the record immediately following the remarks of the gentleman from 
North Carolina.
  Mr. Sanford, Governor Sanford, was a very close friend of mine. I was 
one of those young people that came into politics when he was one of 
our most significant leaders. He was the governor of North Carolina.
  He was a courageous governor of North Carolina at a difficult time 
and brought great credit to his State and great credit to our Nation. 
And I am pleased to join my friends from North Carolina in honoring 
this courageous, committed American who, as I said, brought great 
credit to North Carolina, brought great credit to his country, and was 
a human being who represented the very best that America had to offer.
  I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for giving me that opportunity.

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