[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H916-H917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL SALUTE TO HOSPITALIZED 
                             VETERANS WEEK

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 963) supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 963

       Whereas February 11-15, 2008, has been designated by the 
     President as National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week;
       Whereas the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans week 
     each year is an opportunity to thank a special group of men 
     and women, the more than 98,000 veterans of the United States 
     Armed Forces, who are cared for every day in Department of 
     Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, outpatient clinics, 
     domicilaries, and nursing homes;
       Whereas at the 155 VA hospitals across the Nation, there 
     are veterans who face the physical and mental wounds of 
     combat every day, long after their military service has been 
     completed;
       Whereas we can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to 
     the veterans, but will thank and support them with our words 
     and deeds;
       Whereas Mike Vogel, motion picture actor and star of the 
     newly-released ``Cloverfield'', will lead the VA's annual 
     patient recognition program as the national spokesperson, 
     inviting the public to visit and honor hospitalized veterans 
     during National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week; and
       Whereas Mike Vogel will be the youngest celebrity to lead 
     the National Salute, bringing youthful energy to the program 
     at a time when the number of young combat veterans under the 
     care of the VA is growing, and as the VA is looking to 
     younger generations of Americans to replenish an aging 
     volunteer force: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans 
     Program and its efforts to pay tribute to and express 
     appreciation for hospitalized veterans, to increase community 
     awareness of the role of VA medical centers, and to encourage 
     citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and become involved 
     as volunteers;
       (2) encourages citizens who live near a VA hospital or 
     clinic to take time this week to visit and thank our 
     veterans; and
       (3) will continue to work with veterans service 
     organizations to support our veterans with words, actions, 
     and financial assistance.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout the Nation's history, we have relied on the 
patriotism, valor, courage and unselfishness of those who wear the 
uniform of the Armed Forces. With this service comes the real 
possibility of receiving an injury in answering the call to duty. The 
global war on terrorism is no exception. To date, over 31,000 
servicemen and -women have been wounded in action and nearly 4,000 
killed.
  For 30 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has designated the 
week of February 14 as the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans 
Week. The goals of the program are to pay tribute and express 
appreciation to hospitalized veterans, to increase community awareness, 
and to encourage individuals to become involved at their local VA as 
volunteers.
  The VA's Voluntary Service is the largest volunteer program in the 
Federal Government. Over the past 60 years, VA volunteers have donated 
more than 689 million hours of service worth an estimated $12.9 
billion. In fiscal year 2007, 85,428 active volunteers contributed a 
total of more than 11.6 million hours of service, equal to 5,574 full-
time employees, worth $218 million.
  Let's not forget those who have fought for this country in their time 
of greatest need. Join me in recognizing and paying tribute to the 
hospitalized veterans. I challenge each and every person to go visit 
their local VA medical center and brighten the smile on a veteran's 
face.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  I also rise today in support of H. Res. 963, supporting the goals and 
ideals of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, and for other 
purposes. I would like to thank my colleagues Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. 
Miller of Florida for sponsoring this timely piece of legislation.
  The President has designated this week, February 11 through 15, as 
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week. This week provides the 
American people the opportunity to thank a special group of men and 
women, the more than 98,000 veterans of the United States Armed Forces, 
who are cared for every day by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
medical centers, outpatient clinics, domicilaries, and nursing homes 
across this Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution specifically shows the support of the 
United States House of Representatives for the National Salute to 
Hospitalized Veterans Program and its efforts to pay tribute to and 
express appreciation for these hospitalized veterans. The resolution 
also seeks to increase community awareness of the role of VA medical 
centers, and to encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and 
become involved as volunteers. The resolution also encourages citizens 
who live near a VA hospital or clinic to just take time to visit and 
thank our veterans personally.
  During my visits with veterans at the Gainesville, Florida VA Medical 
Center and my trip this past year to Ramstein to visit the troops at 
the hospital, I have also been inspired by the courage and honor that 
is displayed by these heroes. You will walk away feeling a whole lot 
better than when you came in, because you're so proud of what they've 
done.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, this resolution assures our Nation's veterans 
that we in Congress will continue to work with veterans service 
organizations to support our veterans with words, actions, and 
financial assistance.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 963.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1745

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, let me conclude and extend my thanks to 
Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for not just bringing this 
resolution to the House floor but also the two previous bills. These 
reinforce Congress' commitment to serving America's veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. 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. Res. 963.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak 
in support of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.
  The Department of Veterans Affairs facilities care for over 98,000 
veterans every day.
  The veteran organizations in my district are extremely active in 
visiting and volunteering to help hospitalized veterans being treated 
in the surrounding medical facilities.
  I would like to recognize the contributions of our local Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans posts, as 
well as the Korean War Veterans, Vietnam War Veterans, the Polish 
Legion of American Veterans and the Brooksville Elks Lodge. The efforts 
of these groups pay tribute and express the appreciation of a grateful 
nation, not only to hospitalized veterans but to every man and woman 
that has ever worn the uniform.
  The contributions of volunteers go a long way, but we in Congress 
need to reaffirm our commitment to providing veterans with the 
facilities they need to get the care they deserve.
  I am pleased to see that in this year's budget the President included 
$120 million for the new VA Medical Facility in Orlando, FL, on the 
Lake Nona site. This new facility will provide acute care, complex 
specialty care and advanced diagnostic services through a hospital, an 
outpatient clinic, a 118-bed nursing home, and a 60-bed domiciliary.
  I was also pleased that the President's budget included funding for 
the expansion of the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center.

[[Page H917]]

This funding will help to improve the facilities and the scope of 
services available to our severely wounded veterans at the Tampa 
Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in voicing their commitment for the 
future funding needs of these important projects.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 963, 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Salute to Hospitalized 
Veterans Week.
  February 11-15, 2008, has been designated by the President as 
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week. In over 155 VA hospitals 
across the Nation, we have suffering veterans who face the physical and 
mental wounds of combat every day. As a veteran myself, I understand 
the real-life sacrifices an individual does through while on duty. 
Living far away from family and loved ones is a sacrifice that 
hospitalized veterans continue to face every day.
  As President's Day approaches, let us not forget those veterans that 
are the real-life examples of the courage and service our Nation was 
founded on. These veterans are our heroes--and now they need a hero of 
their own to thank them for their service and sacrifice.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this most dignified and 
deserving honor for our hospitalized veterans.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
H. Res. 963, supporting the goals and ideals of National Salute to 
Hospitalized Veterans Week.
  National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week this year is February 
11th to 15th, and so it is appropriate that we are here today to pay 
tribute to those who have put their lives on the line for our Nation's 
freedom.
  H. Res. 963 supports the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans 
Program and the program's efforts to express appreciation to 
hospitalized veterans for their efforts and increase awareness of the 
importance of Veterans' Affairs medical centers throughout the country. 
The resolution also supports the program's work to encourage citizens 
to visit hospitalized veterans and volunteer their services.
  Mr. Speaker, for centuries our brave service men and women have given 
their utmost to ensure our liberty here at home. We owe our soldiers an 
eternal debt of gratitude, and giving our support to hospitalized 
veterans and recognizing their service as we are doing today is one 
important step toward paying that debt.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to unanimously 
support H. Res. 963, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 963.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________