[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 22, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
4810, ``End Veterans Homelessness Act of 2010'' introduced by my 
distinguished colleague from California, Representative Filner.
  H. Res. 4810 will amend Title 38 of the United States Code, in order 
to make certain improvements in the services rendered to homeless 
veterans under the laws that are administered by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs. Improvements in services rendered to homeless 
veterans will include increases in the amount authorized to be 
appropriated for comprehensive programs, adjusted payments for 
providing various services such as furnishing services to homeless 
veterans, supported housing program outreach, financial assistance for 
low-income families, and the promotion of awareness of available 
Department of Veterans Affairs programs.
  Throughout our country's history, our brave men and women in uniform 
have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom around the 
world, and I am proud to support legislation that will aid our nation's 
veterans. I have worked tirelessly to pass legislation that will give 
our veterans the benefits that they need and deserve. I have supported 
legislation, such as H. Res. 6081, ``The Heroes Earnings Assistance and 
Relief Tax of 2008'', H. Res. 1054, ``Honoring the service and 
achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans'', H. 
Res. 2790, ``To establish the position of Director of Physician 
Assistant Services within the office of the Under Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs for Health as amended'', and H. Res. 3480, ``Let Our Veterans 
Rest in Peace Act of 2008'' to support our veterans. My fellow 
Americans, we must remember that it is because of them that we are able 
to continue to be a democratic nation. All Americans must realize that 
we owe our liberty to those veterans who have served their nation 110% 
without fear. They definitely deserve our assistance and support in 
every way possible. I have always and will continue to fight for 
legislation that protects our veterans.
  I really find it unacceptable that an estimated 131,000 veterans are 
homeless on any given night after honorably serving their country. We 
are doing our veterans a great disservice. We owe our veterans the 
utmost respect, appreciation, and definitely a home to come home to 
after serving as a member of our armed forces. In these challenging 
economic times, we must do more to provide for our veterans' basic 
needs. H. Res. 4810 shows that all Americans take pride in our 
veterans' service to this nation, and just as the military doesn't 
believe in leaving a soldier behind on the battlefield, I believe that 
I speak for all Americans that we don't believe in leaving our veterans 
behind . . . we must help them push forward!
  Strengthening comprehensive programs by investing in our veterans, 
requiring housing counselors to grant more housing opportunities at 
each Veteran Affairs center, and paying attention to homeless women 
veterans and veterans with children is the right thing to do. I would 
like to urge my colleagues to support this powerful piece of 
legislation for our veterans that proudly support our freedoms and 
defend our U.S. Constitution. Again, I would like to commend all of our 
soldiers for their unselfish service and devotion to the welfare of 
others.

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