[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 159 (Thursday, November 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING OUR NATION'S VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 10, 1999

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Veterans Day, and I want to take 
this opportunity to pay tribute to those who have served our country so 
bravely. Tomorrow, all over this great country we will honor men and 
women who willingly gave body and soul to defend our nation and the 
values which make it great. Tomorrow truly is their day and I wish I 
could be in my district to celebrate it with my constituents.
  My husband Walter drew his inspiration to run for Congress largely 
from decades of work with Vietnam veterans. I live every day with 
Walter in my heart. His passions and cherished causes are now very much 
my own. I am committed to upholding his legacy of support and respect 
for America's veterans.
  Vietnam veterans were his teachers, as they have been ours. From 
their painful experiences, we have learned that when we send our 
soldiers to war we must always welcome them home. But, whether a 
veteran of Vietnam, of World War II, Kosovo, the Gulf War, or Korea, 
they are to be commended for their great accomplishments and tremendous 
sacrifice. Whether called to safeguard the world from a menacing 
dictator, to fight the spread of tyranny, or to maintain a fragile 
peace, our nation owes a priceless debt of gratitude to each and every 
veteran.
  Veterans Day also allows veterans to come together to continue a much 
needed healing process. Just as Walter invited Vietnam vets into his 
classroom to share their stories, veterans will come together to share 
each other's stories and gain comfort from each other.
  As a Member of Congress, I have the distinct--almost sacred--
responsibility to preserve our nation's security. This means ensuring 
that our military remains the best trained, best equipped, and most 
prepared in the world. It also means providing today's fighting men and 
women, and those who have retired, with the support they need to 
maintain the quality of life they deserve. This is especially true at a 
time when military personnel are being deployed more frequently, and in 
more places around the world.
  In Congress, I am working hard to support increased military pay, 
improved health care coverage, and a strengthened retirement system.
  I am proud to note that we recently passed a Defense bill which 
provides much needed improvements for current and retired military 
personnel. It included a 4.8% pay raise, and authorizes bonuses and 
other incentives to retain and promote our servicemen and women. It 
will also change the unfair REDUX retirement plan--giving veterans the 
choice to return to the more generous pre-REDUX retirement system or 
receive a $30,000 retirement bonus.
  When talking to veterans up and down the Central Coast--whether it be 
in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, or Paso Robles--I hear a 
common refrain. Vets are increasingly concerned about benefits they 
have earned and maintaining access to quality health care. I am working 
on a number of initiatives to address these concerns.
  I recently introduced the Veterans Emergency Telephone Service Act. 
The VETS Act would set up a national veterans' hotline service 
operating 24-hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. This hotline would provide 
vets immediate access to a staff knowledgeable in VA benefits and 
programs. This combination ``411-911'' number for veterans would 
provide a one-stop, toll free number veterans can call at any time of 
day or night to receive encouragement and assistance.
  I am also supporting a bill requiring the VA to institute an annual 
outreach plan to insure that veterans are informed about the entire 
range of benefits and health care services available to them. Too often 
veterans are not informed about benefits they are eligible for, or how 
to receive them. This bill also assists widows and survivors of 
veterans obtain important assistance.
  And I'm working hard to pass landmark legislation--known as the Keep 
Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act. This bill would allow 
all military retirees to participate in the same health care programs 
federal employees currently enjoy and provides free lifetime health 
care to those who enrolled in the services prior to 1956.
  Many Americans made sacrifices to defend our country with the 
understanding that upon retirement the government would provide them 
with lifetime health care. But for too many military retirees there is 
little or no health care available.
  In addition, I support legislation allowing military retirees with 
service connected disabilities to receive the full amount of their 
retired pay along with VA disability compensation--without a deduction 
from either source of support. We need to take extra special care of 
those whose service has left them with an injury or disability.
  I will always support our fighting men and women, whether in peace 
time or in war.
  I will always support the benefits our veterans need and deserve.
  And I will forever cherish the honor my constituents have bestowed 
upon me by allowing me to serve as their Representative.

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