[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ON THE VETERANS IDENTITY PROTECTION (VIP) ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I introduce the Veterans 
Identity Protection (VIP) Act.
  On May 3, 2006, a personally-owned computer was stolen from the home 
of a VA employee. The stolen files contained information that included 
the names, birth dates, and social security numbers of 26.5 million 
veterans. This represents data from every military veteran discharged 
since 1975.
  This legislation will ensure that our veterans are made whole as a 
result of any damages suffered by a veteran as a result of this theft. 
The VA's mission is to serve and honor our Nation's veterans. We must 
do more than just provide a call center and put the burden on our 
veterans to deal with the consequences of this blunder.
  This legislation will set up an independent Office for Veterans 
Identity Theft Claims to receive, process, and pay claims in accordance 
with this Act.
  I am here today to introduce a bill that will ensure that Veterans 
will be made whole if they are harmed by this release of information 
without spending years in court and thousands of dollars for lawyers.

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