[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 97 (Monday, July 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1512-E1513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               VETERANS BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 1999

  Mr. HILL of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2280, the 
Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1999.
  I believe that this bill makes some important changes to the benefits 
available to veterans. I am a cosponsor of this bill. It increases 
rates of disability compensation and indemnity compensation to 
veterans. It enhances the quality assurance program at the Veterans 
Benefits Administration. It also provides permanent eligibility for 
housing loans for members of the Selected Reserve. And it reauthorizes 
important programs for homeless veterans.
  I wanted to be sure to mention this bill because another of its 
provisions helps get construction of the World War II Memorial 
underway. This past Memorial Day, I attended a wonderful ceremony back 
in Versailles, Indiana. At that ceremony the American Legion Post in 
Versailles presented me with a check for one thousand dollars to 
forward to the American Battle Monuments Commission to help build the 
World War II Memorial. That struck me as uncommon generosity from men 
and women who have already given so much.
  I salute them and all the people who are making this monument 
possible. The more we work toward building this memorial, the more 
World War II veterans will be able to see this proud symbol of what our 
``Greatest Generation'' accomplished.
  I ask my fellow members of Congress to support the Veterans' Benefits 
Improvement Act because it honors our veterans and helps to provide the 
benefits that they have earned.
  Since taking office in January I have been talking to the House 
leadership about ways I could become more involved in Veterans' issues. 
Last week, I'm proud to say that I received a seat on the Veterans' 
Committee. I know that we owe a lot to those who currently serve our 
country and also to those who have served in the past. With this 
appointment I hope I can make a real difference for all our veterans.
  This year, one of our nation's oldest and most distinguished service 
organizations, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, 
celebrates its 100-year anniversary. I was first reminded by 
constituents that this year marked that important anniversary.
  The first bill I sponsored and the first speech I made in the United 
States House of Representatives was to celebrate and recognize the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars by requesting that the U.S. Postal Service 
issue a stamp

[[Page E1513]]

commemorating the VFW's 100 year anniversary (H. Res. 115).
  I still believe that we will be able to accomplish this task. I hope 
that my recent appointment will help move this process along.

                          ____________________