[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2116, VETERANS MILLENNIUM HEALTH CARE AND 
                              BENEFITS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
2116. This bill makes a number of important changes to veteran's health 
care programs.
  H.R. 2116--Veterans Millennium Health Care Act makes comprehensive 
reforms to improve access to, as well as the timeliness and quality of 
the Veterans Administration health care system. Reforms to improve 
veterans' access to care include requiring the VA to increase home and 
community based options for veterans needing extended care; requiring 
the VA to provide nursing home care to certain veterans through 2003; 
establishing means to enhance revenues for the VA; lifting the six-
month limit on VA adult day health care; authorizing the VA to enhance 
mental health care services; and establishing a pilot program to make 
contract arrangements for assisted living services.
  Although the calendar year indicates that we honor these men and 
women on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, I believe that we should pause 
everyday to thank them for their sacrifice. The collective experience 
of our 25 million living veterans encompasses the turbulence and 
progress America has experienced throughout the twentieth century. This 
nation's veterans have written much of the history of the last hundred 
years. They have served this nation without reservation or hesitation 
during its darker moments.
  Their unwavering devotion to duty and country has brought this nation 
through two World Wars and numerous costly struggles against 
aggression. From World War I to the Gulf War, America's veterans have 
been leading this nation against those who have threatened the values 
and interests of our nation.
  Only today are the accomplishments and sacrifices of our veterans 
being fully appreciated by historians and the public. These genuine 
heroes have often been ignored and denied their proper place in 
America's melting pot. We need to remember that America owes these men 
and women the best it can offer because they have given us the best 
they could when America was in need.
  Mr. Speaker, I am fortunate to have The Houston Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center located in my congressional district. 
Having just celebrated fifty years of service to the veterans in the 
Houston community. Some 1,646,700 veterans live in the State of Texas 
alone. The House VA Medical Center expects to receive and serve over 
50,000 veterans in this year alone. I expect this measure to improve 
the quality of life for all our veterans who so proudly served our 
nation.
  Mr. Speaker this bill is important not only because it provides for 
the needs of our veterans today but because it sends an important 
signal to the men and women serving our nation in places like Bosnia, 
Kosovo, Germany, Korea, Japan and other far off places around the 
world. That message is simple, that when you serve our nation we will 
answer the plea of President Lincoln ``to care for him who shall have 
borne the battle.''
  I urge my colleague to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2116 and care for the men 
and women who have borne the battle.

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