[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 146 (Monday, September 15, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H8068-H8071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 120-YEAR PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND STATE 
                             VETERANS HOMES

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1335) celebrating the 120-year partnership between 
the Government and State veterans homes.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1335

       Whereas the primary mission of the National Association of 
     State Veterans Homes

[[Page H8069]]

     is to ensure that each veteran receives the benefits, 
     services, long-term health care, and respect each veteran 
     deserves;
       Whereas other goals of the National Association of State 
     Veterans Homes are to ensure that no veteran is in need or 
     distress and that the level of care and services provided by 
     State homes is of the highest quality;
       Whereas the year 2008 marks the 120th anniversary of the 
     first time the Federal Government granted aid to States that 
     had established State veterans homes;
       Whereas following the Civil War, a large number of indigent 
     and disabled veterans were no longer able to earn their own 
     livelihood and were in need of assistance;
       Whereas after the Civil War, because the Government was 
     unable to completely meet the needs of this class of 
     veterans, a number of States established State veterans 
     homes;
       Whereas the first State home was established in Rocky Hill, 
     Connecticut, in 1864;
       Whereas on August 7, 1888, Federal aid was authorized for 
     the first time to alleviate the burden of States in operating 
     these homes;
       Whereas the Veterans Administration was established in 
     1930, which led to an expansion of State programs to include 
     three levels of care and increased per diem payments;
       Whereas in 1952, the National Association of State Veterans 
     Homes was founded because of the collective need of all State 
     homes to communicate with one another about the problems they 
     faced and their experiences as well as to promote their 
     interests in national legislation;
       Whereas in 1964, the State Home Construction Grant Program 
     was initiated, which has greatly increased the ability of 
     State homes to meet the increasing needs of veterans;
       Whereas on February 24, 1986, the Veterans Administration 
     and the National Association of State Veterans Homes signed a 
     Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing their mutual goal of 
     providing quality care to veterans;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized to 
     participate in up to 65 percent of the cost of construction 
     or acquisition of State nursing homes or domiciliaries or for 
     renovations to existing State homes;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs works to assure 
     Congress that State homes are both financially equipped and 
     institutionally competent to provide quality care to veterans 
     through inspections, audits, and comparing records conducted 
     by the VA medical center of jurisdiction;
       Whereas State veterans homes are currently one of the 
     largest long-term care providers in the United States;
       Whereas in a typical year, State homes will provide 
     veterans with nearly 7 million days of nursing home care and 
     about 1.5 million days of domiciliary care;
       Whereas currently, there are 135 State homes throughout the 
     United States with more than 30,000 beds, which will only 
     increase in the coming years; and
       Whereas a total of $165,000,000 has been appropriated for 
     State homes capital projects in 2008: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the extraordinary contributions of those who 
     have served in the Armed Forces of the Nation;
       (2) recognizes that the Nation has an affirmative duty to 
     care for the men and women of the Armed Forces who have 
     served their country faithfully;
       (3) recognizes the efforts made by the National Association 
     of State Veterans Homes to aid the States in providing 
     veterans with high-quality care; and
       (4) commends the efforts made by State veterans homes for 
     the past 120 years in ensuring that the honorable veterans of 
     the Armed Forces of this Nation receive the highest quality 
     of care worthy of the great sacrifices they have made.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Paul Hodes 
of New Hampshire for crafting this resolution which calls for the 
celebration of the 120th anniversary of our Federal Government's first 
grant of aid to State veterans homes.
  I would also like to recognize the National Association of State 
Veterans Homes, representing 135 State veterans homes throughout the 
country. They were founded to increase the State veterans home 
representation and help facilitate communication with one another. They 
have worked to improve the quality of care, the services and treatment 
of our Nation's veterans who reside in State veterans homes.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Veterans Affairs is 
authorized to contribute up to two-thirds of the construction of State 
nursing homes or renovations of existing State homes. This funding 
helps provide quality care for our Nation's veterans. When veterans are 
no longer able to care for themselves, they must be given the care 
necessary to continue their life with dignity.
  Recently, we appropriated $165 million for 2008 to provide aid to 
State veterans homes to continue to provide care for our veterans. This 
will help alleviate some of the financial burden as the cost of 
veterans' care continues to rise without compromising the quality of 
that care.
  Mr. Speaker, we must honor a servicemember's sacrifice that has been 
made by providing the quality of care our brave men and women deserve. 
It is important that we all support this resolution. With the current 
war on terror, there are thousands of brave servicemembers that are in 
the line of fire as we speak. They, too, might need this care. It is 
our duty, our responsibility, and our moral obligation to continue to 
provide them with this care.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand here today in support of this resolution. I 
praise the great work and service that State veterans homes have 
provided for the past 120 years. I look forward to their continued 
success and for this strong partnership to continue for many years to 
come.
  Mr. Speaker, I have a State veterans home in my district in Chula 
Vista, California. I visit there regularly. The morale there is very 
high. And I think probably one sign of their high morale is that the 
percentage of voting that comes out of that home is very, very high. So 
it shows that, not only are they cared for, but they take an interest 
in the government that they have to elect. So I ask that my colleagues 
join me in support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I'm also pleased to be here in support of 
this bill, H. Res. 1335, a resolution celebrating a 120-year 
partnership between the Federal Government and the State veterans 
homes.
  My colleagues, following the Civil War, a number of States 
independently established State veterans homes in order to meet the 
large needs of the veterans that were indigent, a lot of them were 
disabled. They returned from the war, but they were unable to establish 
a livelihood for themselves, earn enough money. They needed care. And 
these were veterans who sacrificed their lives in support of their 
country and were severely disabled and in need of help.
  While the Federal Government operated national homes for disabled 
Union soldiers, the total number of veterans needing care was simply 
overwhelmingly. So in August, 1888, Federal sharing was formally 
authorized to help alleviate the burden that was placed upon the 
States. In 1952, the National Association of State Veterans Homes was 
established to help move this along. Their primary mission is to ensure 
that each and every eligible United States veteran receives the 
benefits, services, long-term health care and respect which they have 
earned in their service to their country and their sacrifice for our 
country.
  Working through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, the organization also ensures that no veteran is in 
need or distress, and that the level of care and service provided by 
State veterans homes meet or exceed the highest standards we have in 
our health care system today.
  Today, State veterans homes are one of the largest long-term 
providers in this country. In the State of Florida, for example, we 
currently have six State veterans nursing homes. We expect another one 
to open in St. Augustine in 2009. This is important because Florida is 
a State with ever-increasing veterans coming in, and we need to provide 
for them.
  There are currently 135 State veterans homes throughout the United 
States with more than 30,000 total beds. The service these 
organizations provide to our Nation's veterans is obviously invaluable. 
And I commend the State veterans homes on their 120-year partnership 
with the government to provide care to our veterans community with a 
very high standard.
  I urge my colleagues to support this wonderful bill.
  Mr. HODES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important 
partnership between State Veterans Homes and the Federal Government 
during its 120th anniversary.
  State Veterans Homes are important long-term care providers for 
veterans. State Homes

[[Page H8070]]

provide quality health care for elderly and disabled veterans across 
the country.
  State Veterans Homes are one of the largest long-term care providers 
in the United States. There are 135 State Veterans Homes throughout the 
United States with more than 30,000 total beds. In a typical year, 
State Veterans Homes will furnish nearly 7 million days of nursing home 
care and about 1.5 million days of domiciliary care. These numbers 
continue to grow in order to meet the needs of our Nation's veterans.
  State Veterans Homes began after the Civil War, when a large number 
of indigent and disabled veterans were no longer able to earn their own 
livelihood and needed care. 2008 marks the 120th anniversary of the 
State and Federal partnership in providing quality care for veterans in 
the State Veterans Homes.
  The State Veterans Homes try to ensure that each and every eligible 
U.S. veteran receives the benefits, services, long term health care and 
respect which they have earned by their service and sacrifice.
  I had the honor of visiting with veterans at the State Veterans Home 
in Tilton, New Hampshire. Under the dedicated leadership of Commandant 
Barry Conway, New Hampshire veterans have a place to receive top 
quality long term care in a community of fellow veterans.
  The Veterans Home in Tilton has provided Concord native Dave Clark 
with top-quality health care. Dave is a disabled veteran with a can-do 
attitude, wheeling around the Veterans Home in his electric wheelchair, 
with a State of New Hampshire veteran's license plate that says 
``GROOVY.''
  Dave was born on September 28, 1945 in Concord, NH. He lived with his 
parents, his sister, and his three brothers for the first six years of 
his life, until his parents separated. Dave's sister was adopted, but 
he and his brothers spent the next 3\1/2\ years at an orphanage in 
Manchester. Dave was in and out of foster homes, dreaming of becoming 
an astronaut or attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
  Dave changed his course when he was called up to serve his country in 
the U.S. Army. Dave honorably and bravely served, spending 2 years in 
the States before deploying to Vietnam.
  In Vietnam, Dave's vehicle was hit by enemy fire and the troops he 
was carrying were killed. Dave joined a small group of Marines in a 
firefight, and he was hit. Four of the Marines carried him to an aid 
station--and Dave credits these courageous Marines for saving his life. 
Dave was badly injured, and then spent the next 2 years in hospitals in 
Seattle, WA, Washington, DC, Fort Dix, NJ, and Manchester, NH.
  Dave recovered, and restarted his life in New Hampshire. Dave met and 
married his wife Doris, with whom he lived in Penacook, New Hampshire 
until Doris's death. Dave worked at Franklin Regional Hospital as a 
crew leader in the Environmental Services Department, continuing to 
serve his State and his country with honor.
  His new life was interrupted in March of this year when he had 
another stroke, leaving him paralyzed on his left side. Dave could only 
move his neck and his head. Dave thought he was finished after the last 
stroke. Dave was overwhelmed with terrible memories of the orphanage 
and frustrated that once again he was losing his independence.
  But when Ellen Douville from the New Hampshire Veterans Home 
Admissions Office came to visit, Dave realized the Veterans Home could 
give him the support he needed. The Tilton Veterans Home's staff and 
residents helped Dave regain mobility in his left arm and taught Dave 
to control a wheelchair with his chin. After 7 months, Dave was kicking 
a beach ball around in ``Move It or Lose It,'' an exercise program for 
residents.
  Dave is active in the Writing Group and art classes and is vice-
president of the Resident Council at the Tilton Veterans Home. He has a 
girlfriend, Mary Tucker, who works for another healthcare organization, 
and this week the Veterans Home van took him to Applebee's, where he 
and Mary had a lunch date.
  Dave says that coming to the Tilton Veterans Home has been the best 
thing for him. But, Dave continues to be determined to get back the 
full use of his left side again. After he regains the use of his left 
side, he plans leaving the Tilton Veterans Home and marrying his 
girlfriend Mary in the Veterans Home gazebo down by the pond--where 
everyone from the State Home will be invited.
  This resolution honors the contribution of veterans like Dave to his 
country, and recognizes the leaders and staff of the Veterans Homes, 
like Barry Conway and Ellen Douville, who spend each and every day with 
patience, friendship, and care for veterans like Dave.
  I am proud to honor the contributions of the men and women who have 
served in the Armed Forces and recognize that we as a Nation have a 
duty to serve those who have served our country faithfully.
  And I am proud to honor veterans like Dave and the hard working 
community of the Tilton Veterans Home, and State Veterans Homes across 
the Nation.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
1335, introduced by my friend and colleague Mr. Hodes, which rightly 
celebrates the 120-year partnership between Government and State 
veterans homes.
  State Veterans Homes are a critical part of the care our veterans 
receive after serving our country. In my State of Connecticut, the 
State Department of Veterans Affairs has provided care for Veterans and 
their dependents for 144 years, since the opening of Fitch's Home for 
Soldiers and Their Orphans in Darien, Connecticut on July 4, 1864--the 
first such facility in the Nation. In 1940, the Fitch home became the 
Connecticut State Veterans hospital and was relocated to Rocky Hill, 
Connecticut, where Connecticut veterans today continue to receive a 
spectrum of care and assistance they so urgently need from dedicated 
professionals and volunteers.
  In just a few weeks, Connecticut veterans will benefit from the 
opening of the first major new facility in Rocky Hill in over 65 years. 
The new veterans care facility will provide modern, state of the art 
care for Alzheimer's and hospice patients. From the new rooms that 
provide patients with long-needed privacy, to expanded lounge areas and 
family dining facilities that allow veterans to spend time with their 
families in a private and comfortable setting, the new facility will 
ensure that Connecticut veterans receive the dignified treatment they 
deserve. This exciting improvement was made possible by a strong 
Federal commitment to the State Home Construction Grant Program, which 
for 44 years has helped States like Connecticut meet the ever-
increasing needs of our veterans by investing in long-term capital 
improvement projects.
  I had the honor of visiting the Rocky Hill facility just this past 
weekend, where I attended Stand Down 2008. This one-day event is an 
annual outreach and support program that helps needy and homeless 
veterans to receive services and information from over 30 State, 
Federal and private organizations all assembled in one location. During 
my visit, I observed countless volunteers from organization across the 
State helping needy and struggling veterans receive a variety of 
services, including medical screenings, dental exams, legal assistance, 
housing referrals, assistance with Federal VA benefits and disability 
claims, job counseling and training, financial assistance and debt 
counseling; education programs and services and everyday necessities 
such as free haircuts, clothing and supplies.
  At last year's Stand Down, 750 needy veterans came to Rocky Hill to 
receive assistance. This year, that number is expected to reach 900 or 
more, an increase largely fueled by the growing needs of veterans 
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the impact of the 
economic downturn on our neediest veterans. Our State Commissioner of 
Veterans Affairs, Dr. Linda Schwartz, has helped bring new life into 
this yearly event, making it an effective way to ensure that veterans 
have access to the services and care they need. Under her leadership, 
Connecticut is stepping up to ensure that no veteran who has served 
their Nation is left behind. Yet, as gratifying as it was to see 
veterans being helped at Stand Down, the growth in the number of 
veterans taking advantage of the event is a stark reminder of how much 
more our Nation must do to ensure that our promise to those who have 
served is fulfilled.
  I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking the countless 
professionals at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, 
volunteers and organizations that came together at Connecticut's Stand 
Down in helping to make a difference in the lives or our veterans.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. I ask unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 1335.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1335.
  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, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.

[[Page H8071]]

  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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