[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H.R. 1048--DISABLED VETERANS ADAPTIVE BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HENRY E. BROWN, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2003

  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Benefits of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am 
introducing H.R. 1048, the Disabled Veterans Adaptive Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2003. Mr. Ciro Rodriguez, Ranking Member of the 
Subcommittee on Benefits, as well as Chairman Chris Smith and Ranking 
Member Lane Evans join me as original sponsors.
  The Disabled Veterans Adaptive Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 would 
increase the one-time reimbursement VA may provide to certain severely 
disabled veterans to assist their purchase of an automobile from $9,000 
to $11,000. According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle 
Administrators, the average cost of a new automobile in 2001 was 
estimated to be $21,605.
  The bill would also increase the grant to help eligible veterans make 
adaptations to their homes, which are necessary because of the nature 
of their disability. The bill would raise the Specially Adapted Housing 
Grant from $48,000 to $50,000 for the most severely disabled veterans 
and from $9,250 to $10,000 for other severely disabled veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan legislation is the right thing to do for 
our severely disabled veterans so that they may live their lives in the 
most independent manner possible. I look forward to our colleagues' 
support of our efforts.

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