[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7808-S7809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM BREW

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, as chairman of the Veterans' Affairs 
Committee, I normally come to the Senate floor and speak on various 
veterans issues--I advocate for increased screening and treatment and 
mental health issues for our veterans; I remind my fellow Senators that 
veterans of their home States must file income taxes for 2008 in order 
to receive their tax rebates; I argue for increased funding for VA's 
vital mission; and I urge the Senate to approve a new GI bill. Today, 
however, I come to the Senate floor to speak about one particular 
veteran--a Vietnam veteran who has dedicated his long career, enormous 
talents, and tireless efforts to better the treatment and the lives of 
all who have served our Nation in uniform. Today, I will speak of my 
staff director, William Brew.
  Bill has just completed 20 years of service to the Senate. His entire 
tenure in the Senate has been at the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 
Bill started in the Senate on April 3, 1978. At that time, his desk was 
in what is now the committee's hearing room. The chairman was Alan 
Cranston of California. The major issues were Agent Orange, judicial 
review, and the emerging medical condition that had newly been labeled 
post-traumatic stress disorder. As a former naval officer, and a 
lawyer, Bill was thrown right into these issues, and his presence made 
a huge difference.
  An immediate and pressing need was to provide psychological 
counseling to Vietnam veterans at a time when the war and, sadly, even 
those who fought in it, remained a divisive issue for our Nation. Men 
and women who had served during that conflict did not return to heroes' 
welcomes, yellow ribbons, and joyous neighborhood celebrations we so 
often see today. In 1980, in Van Nuys, CA, one of the very first vet 
centers opened and offered a means of providing community-based 
counseling and outreach services to those who were returning from 
Southeast Asia. Now, there are 232 scattered around the country.
  Millions of veterans and their families from all wars have received 
counseling and support through these centers. Bill was instrumental in 
developing the legislation that established these facilities and was 
present at the creation of vet centers.
  Bill was deeply involved in the debates surrounding Agent Orange and 
quickly became an expert on an issue whose vocabulary resolved around 
dioxin, defoliation, Ranch Hand, and a variety of health problems and 
concerns. His efforts contributed to the development of wide-ranging 
initiatives designed to address the needs of those who believe their 
exposure has adversely affected their health.
  Bill was instrumental in the passage of legislation in 1996, which 
fundamentally changed the law with regard to eligibility for VA health 
care. Eligibility Reform, as this law is known, eradicated the line 
between inpatient and outpatient care. VA, for the first time, was 
authorized to provide a standard benefits package of services in the 
most appropriate care setting. This seemingly simple change enabled VA 
to open up community-based clinics all across this country. Veterans 
care has been dramatically improved because of the increased access to 
the now 700 clinics dotting the landscape.
  Assisting disabled veterans to reenter civilian life has always been 
a high priority for the committee. Bill worked on legislation to revamp 
federally assisted State vocational rehabilitation programs, giving 
priority to the most seriously disabled.
  Bill was instrumental in the establishment of the Court of Veterans 
Claims, which gave judicial review to veterans' benefit determinations, 
and the committee recently approved legislation to expand the Court.

[[Page S7809]]

  It is little known that Bill has served on both sides of the aisle, 
working not only for Chairmen Cranston and Rockefeller, and now myself, 
but also working for Chairman Alan Simpson, my Republican colleague 
from Wyoming. In 1980, when the Democrats entered the minority, Bill 
remained a majority staff member under Chairman Simpson for 9 months 
before returning to Ranking Member Cranston's staff.
  I congratulate Bill for his service and tell him that I am grateful 
for that, and to thank him for his 20 years of dedicated and faithful 
service to the Senate and to our Nation's veterans.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Missouri.

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