[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 104 (Monday, July 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010

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                               speech of

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2009

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3082, FY 
2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.
  As we welcome our returning valiant soldiers from abroad and near, 
let us not forget what they so desperately need.
  Their fight is not over once they return home.
  Congress has a responsibility to provide for our sons and daughters 
that we send overseas.
  Today, this bill will provide for much needed funding assistance for 
our soldiers who continue to struggle with PTSD and other mental health 
illnesses.
  We will fund 28 new Vet Centers and 30 new Community Based Outpatient 
Centers to provide readjustment aid to those returning veterans and 
their families, because we must fight for them like they have fought 
for us.
  This bill will help house those homeless and low-income veterans, who 
may otherwise be left in the cold and in the streets.
  I am especially pleased with the funding to add 1,200 necessary 
personnel to streamline the process of veterans' claims to ensure that 
all our men and women are properly taken care of.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for the passage of H.R. 3082, and 
recognize that veteran care must and should be a priority.

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