[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H5636-H5638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1615
       HONORING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE VETERANS HOMES

  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 347) 
honoring the National Association of State Veterans Homes and the 119 
State veterans homes providing long-term care to veterans that are 
represented by that association for their contributions to the health 
care of veterans and the health-care system of the Nation.
  The Clerk read as follows

                            H. Con. Res. 347

       Whereas the National Association of State Veterans Homes 
     was established in 1954 by a group of administrators of State 
     veterans homes to represent the interests of those homes in a 
     unified voice before Congress and the Executive Branch;
       Whereas the National Association of State Veterans Homes 
     functions on an all-volunteer basis and focuses on endeavors 
     that improve the conditions of care furnished to veterans by 
     State veterans homes, elevate and monitor the qualifications 
     for managers of such homes, and provide continuing education 
     standards for staff who provide care to veterans in State 
     veterans homes;
       Whereas the National Association of State Veterans Homes 
     has been and continues to be in the forefront of developing 
     and supporting new methods and models for providing long-term 
     care services to elderly veterans, such as hospice care, 
     respite care, Alzheimer's care, and adult day health care;
       Whereas State veterans homes, which provide long-term care 
     to thousands of veterans, were established initially in the 
     States of Connecticut, Kansas, Ohio, and Maine in 1868 to 
     house, feed, and care for thousands of homeless, wounded, and 
     permanently scarred Union soldiers and thus have been in 
     existence since before the establishment of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, the earlier Veterans' Administration, and 
     its predecessor agencies;
       Whereas in 1888 Congress authorized the Federal payment of 
     a daily allowance of 20 cents for the care of each former 
     soldier or sailor in a State home-hospital, an allowance that 
     continues today in the form of a per diem grant program 
     administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs that is 
     authorized to provide up to 50 percent of the average daily 
     cost of care, but currently provides only approximately 30 
     percent;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs further 
     participates in the care of veterans in State homes with a 
     matching grant program to support construction and major 
     renovation projects to sustain those homes and build towards 
     sufficient levels of available, high-quality health care;
       Whereas the State veterans homes offer long-term services 
     to eligible veterans in need of such services on 
     certification of the

[[Page H5637]]

     Department of Veterans Affairs at 119 facilities in 47 states 
     and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
       Whereas the States determine the allocation of nursing home 
     beds in individual facilities, and establish the eligibility 
     of veterans and their dependents to occupy those beds, 
     following Federal guidelines;
       Whereas within the limits of their capacities, the State 
     veterans homes provide care for over 27,500 veterans each 
     day, accounting for more than 50 percent of the total 
     national long-term care bed capacity for veterans, thereby 
     sharing the enormous responsibility of caring for veterans 
     with the Department of Veterans Affairs in an admirable 
     partnership;
       Whereas State veterans homes provide quality care for 
     elderly and disabled veterans at an average daily cost that 
     is significantly less than nursing homes operated by the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs;
       Whereas the number of elderly veterans, particularly those 
     over age 85, continues to rise and the need for long-term 
     care services for those veterans will continue to rise in the 
     coming years; and
       Whereas the Nation's State veterans homes continue to 
     achieve their purpose of improving and sustaining the health 
     of elderly, sick, and severely disabled veterans by assuring 
     access to affordable nursing care in settings that provide 
     personal dignity to truly deserving veterans, often at the 
     end of lives spent in service to the Nation: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) honors the National Association of State Veterans Homes 
     and the 119 State veterans homes providing long-term care to 
     veterans that are represented by that association for their 
     significant contributions to the health care of veterans and 
     to the health care system of the Nation;
       (2) commends the thousands of individuals who work in, or 
     on behalf of, State veterans homes for their contributions in 
     caring for elderly and disabled veterans;
       (3) recognizes the importance of the partnership between 
     the States and the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
     providing long-term care to veterans; and
       (4) affirms the support of Congress for continuation of the 
     State homes program to address the known and anticipated 
     needs of the Nation's veterans for institutional long-term 
     care services.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Hampshire (Mr. Bradley) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Salazar) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Hampshire.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 
347.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Hampshire?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  I want to begin by thanking my colleague and friend from Colorado for 
his work in support of this legislation and also thank my colleague and 
friend Mr. Simmons from Connecticut who is traveling and could not be 
here to participate in this debate.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 347, which honors 
the National Association of State Veterans Homes and the 119 State 
veteran homes providing long-term care to veterans that are represented 
by the association for their contributions. The National Association of 
State Veterans Homes functions on an all-volunteer basis to improve the 
conditions of care furnished by State veterans homes and is at the 
forefront of developing new methods for providing long-term care 
services to our elderly veterans.
  The Department of Veterans Affairs now provides State veterans homes 
with a per diem grant program which provides approximately 30 percent 
of the average cost of daily care, in addition to a grant program to 
support construction and major renovation projects. State veterans 
homes provide more than 50 percent of the total national long-term care 
bed capacity for veterans at an average daily cost that is 
significantly less than nursing homes operated by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. As the number of elderly veterans rises, State 
veterans homes continue to improve and sustain their health by assuring 
access to affordable and quality nursing care.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. SALAZAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Simmons 
for introducing House Concurrent Resolution 347. This resolution honors 
the National Association of Veterans Homes and the 119 State veterans 
homes across this great country.
  State veterans homes are essential to the continuum of care for our 
aged and disabled veterans. In the upcoming years, State veterans homes 
will play an even greater role in providing elderly and disabled 
veterans with dignified and compassionate care because our veteran 
population is aging. Nationwide, the number of veterans most in need of 
long-term care, those 85 years and older, will jump to 1.3 million by 
the year 2012.
  State homes represent more than a century-old State-Federal 
partnership that has greatly benefited our parents and their families. 
Colorado is home to six of these facilities. I have been fortunate 
enough to visit five of them, and I have seen the fantastic care that 
they provide firsthand. I am particularly proud of the Colorado State 
veterans center at Homelake and Monte Vista, Colorado. It has been 
caring for Colorado veterans and their families for over 110 years.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution reinforces Congress's strong 
bipartisan support for the State homes, and it sends a signal to this 
and future administrations that we will continue the per diem support 
of the State homes. Madam Speaker, this is a good resolution, and I 
urge my colleagues to give it their support.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time
  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank 
Chairman Buyer and Ranking Member Evans of the Veterans' Affairs 
Committee for bringing this legislation to the floor. And, as I 
indicated previously, I would also like to thank my friend and 
colleague, Mr. Simmons, the sponsor of the bill, for introducing this 
legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support H. Con. 
Res. 347.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. SIMMONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the National 
Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH) and the 119 state-veterans' 
homes they represent for their contributions to caring for our Nation's 
military veterans.
  The State Veterans' Home program is a partnership between the Federal 
Government and the States that provides the bulk of VA-supported long 
term care services to veterans and their families. I have seen 
firsthand the importance of this partnership and the quality of 
services that State homes provide because I am privileged to have one 
of these homes in my State of Connecticut, at Rocky Hill.
  Connecticut's first veterans' home was founded on July 4, 1864, and 
was known as Fitch's Home for Soldiers and Their Orphans. Benjamin 
Fitch, a philanthropist from Darien, established the home for Civil War 
veterans and for children whose fathers were killed in that war. The 
complex of buildings included a hospital, chapel, library, residence 
hall, and administrative facilities. At the time, it represented one of 
the Nation's earliest commitments to our veterans. From 1864 to 1940 
the Fitch Home served the needs of hundreds of orphans and thousands of 
men who served their country in various wars. The Fitch home became the 
Connecticut State Veterans hospital in 1940 and relocated to its 
current location in Rocky Hill.
  Today, 476 veterans ages 23 to 95, representing all major U.S. 
conflicts dating back to World War II, are residents at Rocky Hill. 
Recently, Rocky Hill received a nearly $22 million grant from the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to construct a new State veterans care 
facility and to make infrastructure improvements at the campus. I am 
proud of Rocky Hill's long history of providing quality long-term care 
services for our veterans and I am pleased with the government's 
commitment to supporting their efforts.
  Rocky Hill is just one example of the 119 State-operated veterans' 
homes located across the country. These homes provide nursing home care 
in 114 locations, domiciliary care in 52 locations, and hospital-type 
care in five of their homes. Combined, the State veterans' homes 
presently provide over 27,500 resident beds for veterans, of which more 
than 21,000 are nursing home beds.
  This resolution not only recognizes the value of State veterans' 
homes, but also the

[[Page H5638]]

critical role of those people who represent and staff the homes. In 
1954, administrators and senior staff of State veterans' homes around 
the country joined together to form an all-volunteer, non-profit 
organization to promote the common interests of the homes and the 
elderly, disabled veterans that they serve. The organization, the 
National Association of State Veterans Homes, has been and continues to 
be in the forefront of developing and supporting new methods and models 
for providing long term care services to elderly veterans, such as 
hospice care, respite care, Alzheimer's care, and adult day health 
care. I commend the organization for their strong commitment to 
ensuring that State homes receive the tools they need to provide the 
best care possible for America's heroes.
  I would also like to commend and thank all of the individuals who 
work in the State homes system for providing such a vital service to 
those men and women who have worn the uniform of our Nation. I believe 
the work that these individuals do helps us fulfill the promise laid 
out long ago by President Lincoln, ``to care for him who shall have 
borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.'' They have 
dedicated themselves to provide the best care possible for our elderly 
and disabled veterans, and we in Congress must equally dedicate 
ourselves to ensure that they continue to receive sufficient support 
and resources from the Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain that 
quality of care.
  H. Con. Res. 347 honors the invaluable work of those who staff State 
veterans' homes, the important role of the National Association of 
State Veterans Homes, and affirms the support of Congress in the 
continuation of the State Veterans' Home program.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the importance of 
State veterans' homes for their role in caring for our Nation's aging 
and disabled military heroes.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 347, a resolution honoring the National 
Association of State Veterans Homes and the 119 State veteran's homes 
nationwide who serve the health care services to our Nation's veterans.
  The long and distinguished history of the Connecticut State Veterans 
Hospital can be traced back nearly 140 years of 1864 when Benjamin 
Finch opened the first veterans' home in the Nation, Fitch's Home for 
Soldiers and Their Orphans in Darien, to care for veterans of the Civil 
War. Now located in the First Congressional District in Rocky Hill, the 
modern day State Veterans Hospital has served Connecticut veterans 
since 1940. Over the years, the State veteran's hospital has grown to 
include nearly 40 buildings on the 90-acre Rocky Hill campus, including 
a domicile providing rehabilitative care and other health care 
services. In addition to serving the general health care needs of the 
State's 280,000 veterans, the hospital provides other critical services 
meant to help veterans in all aspects of their lives, including 
substance abuse treatment, education and vocational assistance, and job 
skill development and training.
  While the staff of the State Veterans Home provides unmatched 
professional care for their veterans, the hospital's core facilities 
and campus infrastructure are almost 70 years old and is struggling to 
meet the needs of the veterans they serve. That is why I worked so hard 
in helping the State obtain a $22 million grant from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs' State Home Program to fund the first new construction 
on the Rocky Hill campus in nearly 65 years. This funding will be used 
to build a new state of the art facility with five new residential 
wards, a 25-bed Alzheimer's unit, a hospice facility, and an 
occupational and physical therapy department. In addition to improving 
service for current residents and veterans, this new facility is 
especially important as more soldiers in need of medical and mental 
health treatment return home each day from operations in Afghanistan 
and Iraq.
  Our veterans have given so much to our Nation and they deserve the 
highest quality of care in return for their service. Even after 140 
years, the Connecticut State Veterans Home remains an essential 
component of our long-term veterans' care and helps fulfill the promise 
of quality care for those who have proudly served our country. I look 
forward to continuing to work closely with our State Commissioner of 
Veterans Affairs, Dr. Linda Schwartz, and her staff to ensure that they 
have the resources they need to serve the veterans of our State and our 
Nation.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from 
New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley). I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 347.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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