[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HOMELESS VETERANS COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2001

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
2716, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act. Homelessness 
remains a prevalent problem among veterans, with roughly one-third of 
the total homeless population consisting of veterans. With this 
legislation, we will take a needed step in addressing this problem as 
we are all aware that more needs to be done to help these men and women 
get back on their feet.
  It is a familiar principle among veterans in our Armed Forces that we 
do not leave our wounded behind. Homeless veterans are our wounded, and 
we are leaving them behind. The VA has reported there were about 
345,000 homeless vets in our country in 1999, and there will yet be 
even more homeless veterans as we experience this economic downturn.
  This bill sets a national goal to end homelessness among veterans 
within 10 years. Who is opposed to that? The bill provides funding, 
authorizes 2000 additional Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 
8 low-income housing vouchers over four years for homeless veterans in 
need of permanent housing and who are enrolled in health care provided 
by the Veterans Affairs Department. The bill contains funding increases 
for a number of existing veterans homeless programs. It will establish 
a demonstration program to provide information, including referral and 
counseling services, to incarcerated veterans and veterans in long-term 
institutional confinement to assist in their reintegration into their 
communities.
  As we continue to address the needs of our Nation's veterans we 
should heed the words of President Lincoln who called on all Americans 
``to care for him who shall have borne the battle.'' I urge my 
colleagues to support this important legislation.

                          ____________________