[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE VETERANS PERSONAL SECURITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 1998

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Veterans Personal Security Act. This bill is the direct result of 
several incidents at the Lyons VA Medical Center in my district.
  In late May, a Korean War Veteran who was a psychiatric patient at 
Lyons walked away from his ward, unnoticed. Several hours later, when 
he was discovered missing, the VA police began to search the medical 
center's extensive campus. That search, however, was called off, 
allegedly because the VA could not pay police overtime to continue. Two 
days later, the patient was found dead in a ditch adjacent to the main 
administration building. This veteran's death, and the lack of a proper 
search, is an atrocity.
  In that incident, the VA did notify the local Bernards Township 
Police Department, but a coordinated search was not requested. I also 
understand that Lyons VA medical center has had a series of alleged 
rapes reportedly occur on its campus. These incidents have not been 
reported to local law enforcement agencies, and as a result, rumors 
have been circulating among veterans, as well as the local community, 
about what has actually happened at the medical center. Is there a 
threat to the safety and security of the community at large? One local 
police chief said that knowing the facts of these incidents will help 
him answer questions posed by his community, and hopefully help him 
ease their concerns that these crimes will spread beyond the medical 
center's boundaries.
  The Veterans Personal Security Act would require the VA police to 
immediately notify local law enforcement agencies if a serious crime or 
similar incident occurs. That notification must be followed up within 
48 hours with a more detailed, written notification. The VA would be 
required to notify local police if one of several crimes or alleged 
incidents occurs, including: a missing patient, the abuse or beating of 
a patient or staff member, the use or distribution of illegal drugs by 
a patient or staff member or an alleged rape or any other felony.
  Additionally, the Veterans Personal Security Act would grant local 
law enforcement agencies jurisdiction to go onto VA property to 
investigate these crimes, or to help VA police search for missing 
persons, or provide whatever assistance is needed to resolve these 
incidents.
  I recognize that many local law enforcement agencies are kept busy 
meeting the demands of their communities. However, it is oftentimes in 
the local communities' best interests that these situations are brought 
to their attention and that the police are made aware of them. The 
veterans who are treated at these facilities, the staff who work there, 
and the residents in the surrounding communities deserve to know when a 
crime or other alleged incident occurs. More importantly, they deserve 
to be protected. Their safety and security must not be compromised by 
weak links in communication between VA police and the local law 
enforcement officials.
  Mr. Speaker, a veteran should not just ``disappear'' from a VA 
medical center, like the tragic incident at Lyons. When a veteran 
checks into a VA hospital anywhere in America, he or she expects and 
deserves peace of mind. The Veterans Personal Security Act should 
ensure that veterans seeking treatment at VA medical facilities will be 
protected from further harm.

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