[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 148 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         OMNIBUS VETERANS BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 1998

  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Veterans 
Programs Enhancement Act of 1998. I commend Chairman Stump and Ranking 
Member Evans for their tireless effort in producing this important 
legislation.
  I also compliment the staff of both the House and Senate Veterans' 
Affairs Committees. Their hard work and dedication to our veterans has 
made this legislation possible.
  People outside of this building are often unaware of the vital role 
staff play in the legislative process. They should not be. Our veterans 
should know how hard the veterans committee staff works for them each 
day. I hold this bill up as testament to their efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, for much of this year I was not sure what this Congress 
would be able to accomplish on behalf of our nation's veterans.
  I would venture to say that this Congress's record on veterans issues 
has been mediocre at best. Funding for veterans health care was cut 
again, medicare subvention was not achieved and veterans benefits were 
slashed to fund highway construction.
  But in the end, with the passage of this legislation, we will be able 
to point to some notable achievements on veterans issues this year.
  With this bill, we establish a precedent for the presumptive 
treatment and compensation of Persian Gulf War veterans.
  I have long felt that we must give our Gulf War veterans the benefit 
of the doubt when it comes to health care and service connection. This 
bill helps us reach this goal that I have long called for.
  In addition, this legislation helps prepare us to provide quality 
treatment for the veterans of future conflicts.
  We were unprepared for the aftermath of the Gulf War.
  However, by establishing a National Center for the Study of War-
Related Illnesses, this bill helps prepare our veterans health system 
for the aftermath of future conflicts.
  This bill also extends the VA's authority to treat the medical 
problems afflicting Gulf War veterans until 2001. We know we are not 
through dealing with the health problems confronting Gulf War veterans 
and I am pleased to see this fact recognized in this legislation.
  The VA's sexual trauma treatment program, a program that I have 
advocated for throughout this session, is also reauthorized by this 
bill. During the past two years, the reality of sexual abuse and 
harassment of women in the military has come to light. It is only right 
that we maintain the VA's capacity to offer the victims of these crimes 
the treatment they need and deserve.
  In addition, I am also pleased by this bill's provisions regarding 
educational opportunities, housing and medical construction at veterans 
hospitals. The reforms contained here are necessary and well-
intentioned and should contribute to the welfare of veterans throughout 
America.
  I am proud to support this bipartisan bill. And I urge my colleagues 
in the House to support this legislation as well.

                          ____________________