[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 156 (Tuesday, November 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORT FOR H.R. 3253, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL EMERGENCY 
                          PREPAREDNESS CENTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2001

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 3253, the 
National Medical Emergency Preparedness Act of 2001, I strongly support 
this important legislation which will improve our national ability to 
respond to acts of terrorism and other medical emergencies. I look 
forward to quick action on this legislation and commend my friend and 
colleague, Chris Smith, for authoring this measure.
  The National Medical Emergency Preparedness Act of 2001 would create 
National Medical Preparedness Centers within the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. These centers would have several important missions. In 
addition to training medical personnel to recognize the symptoms of 
exposure to chemical, biological and radiological weapons, the National 
Medical Preparedness Centers will provide important national leadership 
in the development of new diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments 
for chemical, biological and radiological terrorist threats.
  Last month, on October 15, the Committee on Veterans Affairs received 
testimony on VA contingency missions to the Department of Defense in 
times of war or national emergency and as a participant in the Federal 
Response Plan during disasters. Federal agencies described a critical 
role for the Department and expounded upon additional roles, given the 
resources, the Department could play.
  In response to that hearing, H.R. 3253 was introduced. The National 
Medical Emergency Preparedness Centers established by this legislation 
will provide important contributions to innovation and leadership in 
the detection of biological, chemical, and radiological hazards, the 
development of vaccines to prevent devastating consequences we have 
seen from exposures to toxins such as anthrax and effective treatment 
for exposures to pathogenic materials.
  VA has many successful models of Centers that combine research, 
education and training, and patient treatment. Among such ``centers of 
excellence'' are its Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers, 
its Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, its 
Parkinson's Disease Research Education and Clinical Centers and other 
centers selected on a competitive basis in order to create living 
laboratories for applying state-of-the-art care to patients that need 
it. The synergies of these centers' missions combine to produce 
innovative research and technologies to their respective fields.
  VA has much to offer the Nation in establishing Centers that can 
build upon its existing expertise, but break new ground in further 
exploring areas that directly affect the lives of all Americans. I 
believe the benefits to our public health would far outweigh the $20 
million annual cost to fund these Centers. As we continue our quest to 
protect our homeland, we must find leaders within the community to 
assist our efforts to protect Americans. VA can and should be part of 
this leadership team.

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