[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2517-E2518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS VETERANS BRAINTRUST

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. BISHOP. The Honorable Corrine Brown (D-FL) and I recently 
convened the 11th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Veterans 
Braintrust. Traditionally known as one of the highlights of the CBCF 
Legislative Conference, the Veterans Braintrust has truly become a 
family affair bringing together African American veterans and 
supporters from across the nation.
  This year's Braintrust forum entitled, ``Veterans Health Care Issues 
for 2000 and Beyond'' convened with the hope of facilitating a national 
dialogue between the veterans community and lawmakers. The Braintrust 
addressed the future course of the veterans health care system with an 
emphasis in planning for the needs of an aging veterans population. The 
moderator, Dr. Lawrence Gary, a preeminent scholar from Howard 
University, led a distinguished panel of experts that included doctors, 
researchers, government officials, veterans service representatives and 
community advocates. Participants at the event included: Dr. Eugene 
Oddone, Dr. Jeff Whittle, Georgia State Senator Ed Harbison, Dr. Sissy 
Awoke, Mr. Charles McLeod, Jr., Mr. Ralph Cooper, Mr. Dennis 
Wannemacher, Mr. Carroll Williams, Mr. Calvin Gross and Dr. Erwin 
Parson.
  The panel was invited to help focus our attention on racial 
disparities in the veterans health care arena. The implications of 
these preliminary findings, as well as the urgent need to eliminate 
racial disparities in veterans health care led Congresswoman Brown to 
call for the creation of a national working group to develop a series 
of legislative and policy recommendations to address these issues.
  Our keynote speaker was Dr. Thomas Garthwaite, the Acting Under 
Secretary for Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. 
Garthwaite stated that the VA is facing new challenges in the health 
care arena, specifically issues relating to veterans of African-
American descent. He noted concerns in the area of long-term care, 
increased rates of Hepatitis C, behavioral and mental illnesses, and 
homeless veterans. He stated that these problems are compounded by a 
rapidly aging veteran population and a continued lack of sufficient 
funding for veteran-related expenditures.
  Congresswoman Brown and I agreed that funding for veterans health 
care is inadequate. We believe that we cannot have a budget surplus, if 
we have not paid our dues to America's veterans. Georgia State Senator 
Ed Harbison expressed the sentiment of many at the Braintrust when he 
stated, ``It used to be said, that `old soldiers never die, they just 
simply fade away.' But in 2000, its more like `old soldiers never die, 
they're just ignored to death!' ''
  Dr. Erwin Parson, Vietnam veteran and health care professional, 
summarized the essence of the forum by acknowledging, ``We know too 
well that little attention has been given to the issue of African 
American elderly health by society. Our elderly veterans, especially 
our African American elderly, have important health care needs that are 
not being met satisfactorily. We are aware that the stream of 
scientific studies on comparative health seem to always reach the same 
conclusion: race is a factor in access and quality care for many life-
threatening medical conditions which afflict African Americans.''
  We found it disconcerting that studies found that race is often a 
controlling factor in the assessment and management of many 
administrative and clinical decisions in veterans health care. We all 
realize that accurate data is vital to evaluating the true health care 
needs of African American veterans. However, current research is much 
too sparse and fragmented. It is obvious that we urgently need to get 
better, more meaningful data on African American elderly veterans.
  Finally, the reality is simply this: The aging veterans population is 
upon us now! We are grateful and will never forget that African 
Americans have fought gallantly for America, beginning as far back as 
the Revolutionary

[[Page E2518]]

War. They are our living `Legacy' and, today, we honor that legacy when 
we care for those who gave all they had. Therefore, I believe we do owe 
them a special debt of gratitude. Health care is something promised, a 
promise that must be paid in full. So let us honor them who honored us, 
and give them the best health care to be found anywhere in America, or 
the world.
  At the conclusion of the session, Congresswoman Brown and Ron 
Armstead, Executive Coordinator for the Veterans Braintrust, presided 
over our 11th annual awards ceremony. This event was conceived by 
Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) and begun 11 years ago with General 
Colin Powell in attendance. At this historical gathering General Powell 
was joined by some of the highest ranking African-American military 
officers ever to serve this great Nation: Lt. Gen. Julius Becton, USA, 
Ret., Brig. Gen. Hazel Johnson-Brown, USA, Ret., Dr. Roscoe Brown, Vice 
Adm. Samuel Gravely, Jr., USN, Ret., Gen. Frank Petersen, Jr., USMC, 
Ret., and Col. Fred Cherry, USAF, Ret.
  Commenting on the significance and rich tradition of this awards 
ceremony, Congressman Rangel noted that each of these recipients has 
distinguished themselves as true patriots in the war for veterans' 
rights, and they have not allowed racism to hamper their achievements.
  The 1999 awards were presented to twenty-nine exemplary veteran 
supporters. Individual winners of the 1999 CBC Veterans Braintrust 
Awards included: Julius Allen, John ``Buddy'' Andrade, Charles 
Blatcher, III, Delegate Clarence ``Tiger'' Davis, Jeff Hansen, Alex 
Holmes, John Howe, Chris Jenkins, Sgt. Henry Johnson (Posthumous), John 
Johnson, John J. Johnson, Karen Johnson, Ruben ``Sugar Bear'' Johnson, 
Phillip ``Jay'' Jones, Kathleen Andrews-Lindo, Frankie Manning, Charles 
McLeod, Jr., Dr. Shari Miles, Wallace ``Wally'' Miles, W. Roy Owens 
(Posthumous), Robert ``Pope'' Powell, Larry Smith, Alexander Vernon, 
Cordell Walker, Barbara Waiters, and Martha Watts.
  Organizations receiving this year's honors were: The Civil War 
Memorial Freedom Foundation, The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Project 
(CWSS), and the National Minority Museum Foundation.
  We also took a moment to recognize Jeanette Boone and Roy Martin from 
the Office of Senator John Kerry (D-MA) for their excellent assistance 
on behalf of African-American veterans.
  Special citations were given to stalwarts in the battle for veterans 
rights. The first award was given to Dr. Erwin Parson, co-founding 
member of the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust and 
renowned expert in trauma/PTSD mental health. He was recognized for his 
22 years of dedicated service to veterans and their families. The 
second award went to Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL) Co-Chair of the 
CBC Veterans Braintrust and Ranking Member of the House Veterans 
Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation. Ms. Brown has 
shown her continued and steadfast commitment to our nation's veterans.
  At the end of the ceremony, the Executive Committee members of the 
Braintrust and past awardees in attendance--Jerry Cochran, Arthur 
Barham, Morocco Coleman, Joann Williams, Ralph Cooper, Robert 
Blackwell, Ruben Johnson, Leroy Colston, Robert Powell, Calvin Gross, 
Daniel Smith and Brig. Gen. Clara Adams-Ender, USA, Ret.--were asked to 
stand and be publicly recognized.
  In closing, I want to personally thank Congressional staff members 
Brittley Wise and Nick Martinelli, Executive Director of the Braintrust 
Ron Armstead and forum moderator Dr. Lawrence Gary for everything they 
did to make the event a success. We appreciate the assistance of forum 
evaluators Dr. Shari Miles, Director of the African American Women's 
Institute, and Michael Tanner, Director of Health and Welfare Studies 
at the Cato Institute for all their hard work.
  As I have said before and will say again, when veterans answered the 
call in faithful service, the nation in essence wrote them a check for 
certain benefits--and it is our duty as members of Congress and as 
American citizens to make sure this check never comes back marked 
``insufficient funds!'' They were promised more. They have earned more. 
They deserve no less.

                          ____________________