[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 154 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FEDERAL RECOVERY COORDINATION PROGRAM

  (Mr. BARROW asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARROW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in 
strengthening the Federal Recovery Coordination Program. Federal 
Recovery Coordinators were originally envisioned by the Dole-Shalala 
Commission as a way to help wounded warriors navigate the incredibly 
complex bureaucracy of the VA and Defense Department health systems.
  Despite the initial successes of the program, administrative problems 
have prevented the program from reaching its full potential. That's why 
I've introduced legislation to address these problems.
  My legislation codifies the Federal Recovery Coordination Program and 
places it under the joint jurisdiction of the Secretaries of Veterans 
Affairs and Defense. It will ensure that Recovery Coordinators have the 
authority to act on behalf of a veteran when they identify a need, and 
it ensures they have access to all stages of the recovery process, 
especially during the initial transition from active duty.
  These reforms will help to strengthen this program and help us better 
serve the needs of our wounded veterans. I ask for my colleagues to 
join me in support of this legislation.

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