[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN SUPPORT OF AMERICA'S VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2001

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, last week, we commemorated the 60th 
anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. That single event changed 
the history of the world, and altered the paths of all Americans. No 
one was more affected, however, than the World War II veterans who 
picked up arms in response to that attack. Ceremonies all across the 
nation honored them for their sacrifices last Friday, including one in 
which I was proud to participate on the U.S.S. Enterprise.
  There can be no greater exhibition of gratitude, however, than 
passage of legislation that improves the lives of those veterans and 
expands upon the benefits that they have richly earned. For months now, 
several bills passed by the House to help our veterans have awaited 
action by the other chamber. Today, I am pleased to join my colleagues 
in finally passing some of them and sending them to the President for 
his signature into law.
  The first bill sets a high, but I think attainable goal, of ending 
chronic homelessness among veterans. Far too many of the brave men and 
women who fought to provide us with freedom spend their days and nights 
on the streets and in shelters. They returned from the battlefield but 
were unable to make the transition back to their civilian lives. Given 
the great sacrifices they have made on our behalf, we should be able to 
make a real effort to help them find their place in our society where 
they can feel welcome and comfortable. As many as 300,000 veterans 
sleep on the streets on any given night. The $1 billion authorized by 
this legislation over the next five years will go far to help them find 
peace and shelter.
  The second bill provides a 2.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment for 
veterans disability compensation. For 100 percent disabled veterans, 
this translates into an average of $738 each year. These men and women 
sacrificed their ability to do many routine tasks, including work, when 
they put on the uniform and were wounded. This legislation merely helps 
them keep pace with inflation, so that they can pay their bills and 
live their lives. It is a modest increase compared to what they have 
given.
  The final bill consolidates several bills considered by the House 
that increase education, housing, burial, and disability benefits for 
veterans by $3.1 billion over the next five years. Specifically, the 
bill increases the popular and successful Montgomery GI Bill college 
education benefit by 51 percent over current levels, increases the 
veterans home loan guaranty by nearly $10,000, and increases grants for 
disabled veterans' implements. Furthermore this bill expands the list 
of illnesses for which veterans can qualify for disability compensation 
and will repeal the 30-year presumptive period for respiratory cancers 
associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides.
  Together, these bills are a fitting way to thank our veterans and to 
extend a promise to the millions of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, 
and marines that are now serving in uniform. Without these men and 
women, the world would be far less secure and the future would be 
bleak. I am proud to be a part of the effort to show our thanks.

                          ____________________