[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 170 (Sunday, December 30, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H7442-H7446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DIGNIFIED BURIAL AND OTHER VETERANS' BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (S. 3202) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
ensure that deceased veterans with no known next of kin can receive a 
dignified burial, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 3202

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Dignified 
     Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 
     2012''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Scoring of budgetary effects.

                       TITLE I--CEMETERY MATTERS

Sec. 101. Furnishing caskets and urns for deceased veterans with no 
              known next of kin.
Sec. 102. Veterans freedom of conscience protection.
Sec. 103. Improved communication between Department of Veterans Affairs 
              and medical examiners and funeral directors.
Sec. 104. Identification and burial of unclaimed or abandoned human 
              remains.
Sec. 105. Exclusion of persons convicted of committing certain sex 
              offenses from interment or memorialization in national 
              cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery, and certain 
              State veterans' cemeteries and from receiving certain 
              funeral honors.
Sec. 106. Restoration, operation, and maintenance of Clark Veterans 
              Cemetery by American Battle Monuments Commission.
Sec. 107. Report on compliance of Department of Veterans Affairs with 
              industry standards for caskets and urns.

                         TITLE II--HEALTH CARE

Sec. 201. Establishment of open burn pit registry.
Sec. 202. Transportation of beneficiaries to and from facilities of 
              Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 203. Extension of reduced pension for certain veterans covered by 
              medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing 
              facilities.
Sec. 204. Extension of report requirement for Special Committee on 
              Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder.

                        TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 301. Off-base transition training for veterans and their spouses.
Sec. 302. Requirement that judges on United States Court of Appeals for 
              Veterans Claims reside within 50 miles of District of 
              Columbia.
Sec. 303. Designation of Trinka Davis Veterans Village.
Sec. 304. Designation of William ``Bill'' Kling Department of Veterans 
              Affairs Outpatient Clinic.
Sec. 305. Designation of Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs 
              Medical Center.
Sec. 306. Designation of David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs 
              Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

     SEC. 2. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

                       TITLE I--CEMETERY MATTERS

     SEC. 101. FURNISHING CASKETS AND URNS FOR DECEASED VETERANS 
                   WITH NO KNOWN NEXT OF KIN.

       (a) In General.--Section 2306 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
     (g) and (h), respectively;
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection (f):
       ``(f) The Secretary may furnish a casket or urn, of such 
     quality as the Secretary considers appropriate for a 
     dignified burial, for burial in a national cemetery of a 
     deceased veteran in any case in which the Secretary--
       ``(1) is unable to identify the veteran's next of kin, if 
     any; and
       ``(2) determines that sufficient resources for the 
     furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of the veteran 
     in a national cemetery are not otherwise available.''; and
       (3) in subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) A casket or urn may not be furnished under subsection 
     (f) for burial of a person described in section 2411(b) of 
     this title.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--Subsections (f) and (h)(4) of section 
     2306 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (a), shall take effect on the date that is one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with 
     respect to deaths occurring on or after the date that is one 
     year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 102. VETERANS FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE PROTECTION.

       (a) In General.--Section 2404 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(h)(1) With respect to the interment or funeral, memorial 
     service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national 
     cemetery, the Secretary shall ensure that--
       ``(A) the expressed wishes of the next of kin or other 
     agent of the deceased veteran are respected and given 
     appropriate deference when evaluating whether the proposed 
     interment or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony affects 
     the safety and security of the national cemetery and visitors 
     to the cemetery;
       ``(B) to the extent possible, all appropriate public areas 
     of the cemetery, including committal shelters, chapels, and 
     benches, may be used by the family of the deceased veteran 
     for contemplation, prayer, mourning, or reflection; and
       ``(C) during such interment or funeral, memorial service, 
     or ceremony, the family of the deceased veteran may display 
     any religious or other symbols chosen by the family.
       ``(2) Subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary 
     under paragraph (4), including such regulations ensuring the 
     security of a national cemetery, the Secretary shall, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, provide to any military or 
     volunteer veterans honor guard, including such guards 
     belonging to a veterans service organization or other 
     nongovernmental group that provides services to veterans, 
     access to public areas of a national cemetery if such access 
     is requested by the next of kin or other agent of a deceased 
     veteran whose interment or funeral, memorial service, or 
     ceremony is being held in such cemetery.
       ``(3) With respect to the interment or funeral, memorial 
     service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national 
     cemetery, the Secretary shall notify the next of kin or other 
     agent of the deceased veteran of funeral honors available to 
     the deceased veteran, including such honors provided by any 
     military or volunteer veterans honor guard described in 
     paragraph (2).
       ``(4) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry 
     out this subsection.''.
       (b) Interim Implementation.--The Secretary may carry out 
     paragraphs (1) through (3) of section 2404(h) of such title, 
     as added by subsection (a), before the Secretary prescribes 
     regulations pursuant to paragraph (4) of such section, as so 
     added.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the implementation of section 
     2404(h) of such title, as added by subsection (a). Such 
     report shall include a certification of whether the Secretary 
     is in compliance with all of the provisions of such section.

     SEC. 103. IMPROVED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND 
                   FUNERAL DIRECTORS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 24 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

[[Page H7443]]

     ``Sec. 2414. Communication between Department of Veterans 
       Affairs and medical examiners and funeral directors

       ``(a) Required Information.--With respect to each deceased 
     veteran described in subsection (b) who is transported to a 
     national cemetery for burial, the Secretary shall ensure that 
     the local medical examiner, funeral director, county service 
     group, or other entity responsible for the body of the 
     deceased veteran before such transportation submits to the 
     Secretary the following information:
       ``(1) Whether the deceased veteran was cremated.
       ``(2) The steps taken to ensure that the deceased veteran 
     has no next of kin.
       ``(b) Deceased Veteran Described.--A deceased veteran 
     described in this subsection is a deceased veteran--
       ``(1) with respect to whom the Secretary determines that 
     there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body of 
     the deceased veteran; and
       ``(2) who does not have sufficient resources for the 
     furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of the deceased 
     veteran in a national cemetery, as determined by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 2413 the following new item:

``2414. Communication between Department of Veterans Affairs and 
              medical examiners and funeral directors.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--Section 2414 of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with 
     respect to deaths occurring on or after the date that is 180 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 104. IDENTIFICATION AND BURIAL OF UNCLAIMED OR ABANDONED 
                   HUMAN REMAINS.

       (a) Identification of Unclaimed or Abandoned Human 
     Remains.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall cooperate 
     with veterans service organizations to assist entities in 
     possession of unclaimed or abandoned human remains in 
     determining if any such remains are the remains of veterans 
     or other individuals eligible for burial in a national 
     cemetery under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.
       (b) Burial of Unclaimed or Abandoned Human Remains.--
       (1) Funeral expenses.--Section 2302(a)(2) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``who was a 
     veteran of any war or was discharged or released from the 
     active military, naval, or air service for a disability 
     incurred or aggravated in line of duty, whose body is held by 
     a State (or a political subdivision of a State), and''.
       (2) Transportation costs.--Section 2308 of such title is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking ``Where a veteran'' and all that follows 
     through ``compensation, the'' and inserting ``(a) In 
     General.--The'';
       (B) in subsection (a), as designated by subparagraph (A), 
     by inserting ``described in subsection (b)'' after ``of the 
     deceased veteran''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Deceased Veteran Described.--A deceased veteran 
     described in this subsection is any of the following 
     veterans:
       ``(1) A veteran who dies as the result of a service-
     connected disability.
       ``(2) A veteran who dies while in receipt of disability 
     compensation (or who but for the receipt of retirement pay or 
     pension under this title, would have been entitled to 
     compensation).
       ``(3) A veteran whom the Secretary determines is eligible 
     for funeral expenses under section 2302 of this title by 
     virtue of the Secretary determining that the veteran has no 
     next of kin or other person claiming the body of such veteran 
     pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A) of such section.''.
       (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to 
     burials and funerals occurring on or after the date that is 
     one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 105. EXCLUSION OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF COMMITTING 
                   CERTAIN SEX OFFENSES FROM INTERMENT OR 
                   MEMORIALIZATION IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES, 
                   ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, AND CERTAIN STATE 
                   VETERANS' CEMETERIES AND FROM RECEIVING CERTAIN 
                   FUNERAL HONORS.

       (a) Prohibition Against.--Section 2411(b) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(4) A person--
       ``(A) who has been convicted of a Federal or State crime 
     causing the person to be a tier III sex offender for purposes 
     of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (42 
     U.S.C. 16901 et seq.);
       ``(B) who, for such crime, is sentenced to a minimum of 
     life imprisonment; and
       ``(C) whose conviction is final (other than a person whose 
     sentence was commuted by the President or Governor of a 
     State, as the case may be).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 2411(a)(2) of such 
     title is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or (b)(2)'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``, (b)(2), or (b)(4)''; and
       (2) by striking ``capital'' each place it appears.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to interments and memorializations 
     that occur on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 106. RESTORATION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF CLARK 
                   VETERANS CEMETERY BY AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS 
                   COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--After an agreement is made between the 
     Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the United 
     States Government, Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Republic of 
     the Philippines shall be treated, for purposes of section 
     2104 of title 36, United States Code, as a cemetery for which 
     it was decided under such section that the cemetery will 
     become a permanent cemetery and the American Battle Monuments 
     Commission shall restore, operate, and maintain Clark 
     Veterans Cemetery (to the degree the Commission considers 
     appropriate) under such section in cooperation with the 
     Government of the Republic of the Philippines.
       (b) Limitation on Future Burials.--Burials at the cemetery 
     described in subsection (a) after the date of the agreement 
     described in such subsection shall be limited to eligible 
     veterans, as determined by the Commission, whose burial does 
     not incur any cost to the Commission.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Commission--
       (1) $5,000,000 for site preparation, design, planning, 
     construction, and associated administrative costs for the 
     restoration of the cemetery described in subsection (a); and
       (2) amounts necessary to operate and maintain the cemetery 
     described in subsection (a).

     SEC. 107. REPORT ON COMPLIANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS WITH INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR CASKETS AND 
                   URNS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the compliance of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs with industry standards for caskets and 
     urns.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) A description of industry standards for caskets and 
     urns.
       (2) An assessment of compliance with such standards at 
     national cemeteries administered by the Department with 
     respect to caskets and urns used for the interment of those 
     eligible for burial at such cemeteries.

                         TITLE II--HEALTH CARE

     SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY.

       (a) Establishment of Registry.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall--
       (A) establish and maintain an open burn pit registry for 
     eligible individuals who may have been exposed to toxic 
     airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits;
       (B) include any information in such registry that the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines necessary to 
     ascertain and monitor the health effects of the exposure of 
     members of the Armed Forces to toxic airborne chemicals and 
     fumes caused by open burn pits;
       (C) develop a public information campaign to inform 
     eligible individuals about the open burn pit registry, 
     including how to register and the benefits of registering; 
     and
       (D) periodically notify eligible individuals of significant 
     developments in the study and treatment of conditions 
     associated with exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and 
     fumes caused by open burn pits.
       (2) Coordination.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     coordinate with the Secretary of Defense in carrying out 
     paragraph (1).
       (b) Report to Congress.--
       (1) Reports by independent scientific organization.--The 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement 
     with an independent scientific organization to prepare 
     reports as follows:
       (A) Not later than two years after the date on which the 
     registry under subsection (a) is established, an initial 
     report containing the following:
       (i) An assessment of the effectiveness of actions taken by 
     the Secretaries to collect and maintain information on the 
     health effects of exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and 
     fumes caused by open burn pits.
       (ii) Recommendations to improve the collection and 
     maintenance of such information.
       (iii) Using established and previously published 
     epidemiological studies, recommendations regarding the most 
     effective and prudent means of addressing the medical needs 
     of eligible individuals with respect to conditions that are 
     likely to result from exposure to open burn pits.
       (B) Not later than five years after completing the initial 
     report described in subparagraph (A), a follow-up report 
     containing the following:
       (i) An update to the initial report described in 
     subparagraph (A).
       (ii) An assessment of whether and to what degree the 
     content of the registry established under subsection (a) is 
     current and scientifically up-to-date.

[[Page H7444]]

       (2) Submittal to congress.--
       (A) Initial report.--Not later than two years after the 
     date on which the registry under subsection (a) is 
     established, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
     to Congress the initial report prepared under paragraph 
     (1)(A).
       (B) Follow-up report.--Not later than five years after 
     submitting the report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress the follow-up 
     report prepared under paragraph (1)(B).
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Eligible individual.--The term ``eligible individual'' 
     means any individual who, on or after September 11, 2001--
       (A) was deployed in support of a contingency operation 
     while serving in the Armed Forces; and
       (B) during such deployment, was based or stationed at a 
     location where an open burn pit was used.
       (2) Open burn pit.--The term ``open burn pit'' means an 
     area of land located in Afghanistan or Iraq that--
       (A) is designated by the Secretary of Defense to be used 
     for disposing solid waste by burning in the outdoor air; and
       (B) does not contain a commercially manufactured 
     incinerator or other equipment specifically designed and 
     manufactured for the burning of solid waste.

     SEC. 202. TRANSPORTATION OF BENEFICIARIES TO AND FROM 
                   FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, 
     is amended by inserting after section 111 the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 111A. Transportation of individuals to and from 
       Department facilities

       ``(a) Transportation by Secretary.--(1) The Secretary may 
     transport any person to or from a Department facility or 
     other place in connection with vocational rehabilitation, 
     counseling required by the Secretary pursuant to chapter 34 
     or 35 of this title, or for the purpose of examination, 
     treatment, or care.
       ``(2) The authority granted by paragraph (1) shall expire 
     on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment 
     of this section.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (h) of section 111 of 
     such title is--
       (1) transferred to section 111A of such title, as added by 
     subsection (a);
       (2) redesignated as subsection (b);
       (3) inserted after subsection (a) of such section; and
       (4) amended by inserting ``Transportation by Third-
     parties.--'' before ``The Secretary''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 1 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 111 the following new 
     item:

``111A. Transportation of individuals to and from Department 
              facilities.''.

     SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF REDUCED PENSION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                   COVERED BY MEDICAID PLANS FOR SERVICES 
                   FURNISHED BY NURSING FACILITIES.

       Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting 
     ``November 30, 2016''.

     SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF REPORT REQUIREMENT FOR SPECIAL 
                   COMMITTEE ON POST-TRAUMATIC-STRESS DISORDER.

       Section 110(e)(2) of the Veterans' Health Care Act of 1984 
     (Public Law 98-528; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by 
     striking ``through 2012'' and inserting ``through 2016''.

                        TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 301. OFF-BASE TRANSITION TRAINING FOR VETERANS AND THEIR 
                   SPOUSES.

       (a) Provision of Off-base Transition Training.--During the 
     two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall provide the Transition 
     Assistance Program under section 1144 of title 10, United 
     States Code, to eligible individuals at locations other than 
     military installations to assess the feasibility and 
     advisability of providing such program to eligible 
     individuals at locations other than military installations.
       (b) Eligible Individuals.--For purposes of this section, an 
     eligible individual is a veteran or the spouse of a veteran.
       (c) Locations.--
       (1) Number of states.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
     training under subsection (a) in not less than three and not 
     more than five States selected by the Secretary for purposes 
     of this section.
       (2) Selection of states with high unemployment.--Of the 
     States selected by the Secretary under paragraph (1), at 
     least two shall be States with high rates of unemployment 
     among veterans.
       (3) Number of locations in each state.--The Secretary shall 
     provide training under subsection (a) to eligible individuals 
     at a sufficient number of locations within each State 
     selected under this subsection to meet the needs of eligible 
     individuals in such State.
       (4) Selection of locations.--The Secretary shall select 
     locations for the provision of training under subsection (a) 
     to facilitate access by participants and may not select any 
     location on a military installation other than a National 
     Guard or reserve facility that is not located on an active 
     duty military installation.
       (d) Inclusion of Information About Veterans Benefits.--The 
     Secretary shall ensure that the training provided under 
     subsection (a) generally follows the content of the 
     Transition Assistance Program under section 1144 of title 10, 
     United States Code.
       (e) Annual Report.--Not later than March 1 of any year 
     during which the Secretary provides training under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     provision of such training.
       (f) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the termination of the one-year period described in 
     subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall submit to Congress a report on the training provided 
     under such subsection. The report shall include the 
     evaluation of the Comptroller General regarding the 
     feasibility and advisability of carrying out off-base 
     transition training at locations nationwide.

     SEC. 302. REQUIREMENT THAT JUDGES ON UNITED STATES COURT OF 
                   APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS RESIDE WITHIN 50 
                   MILES OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

       (a) Residency Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7255 is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``Sec. 7255. Offices, duty stations, and residences

       ``(a) Principal Office.--The principal office of the Court 
     of Appeals for Veterans Claims shall be in the Washington, 
     D.C., metropolitan area, but the Court may sit at any place 
     within the United States.
       ``(b) Official Duty Stations.--(1) Except as provided in 
     paragraph (2), the official duty station of each judge while 
     in active service shall be the principal office of the Court 
     of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
       ``(2) The place where a recall-eligible retired judge 
     maintains the actual abode in which such judge customarily 
     lives shall be considered the recall-eligible retired judge's 
     official duty station.
       ``(c) Residences.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     after appointment and while in active service, each judge of 
     the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims shall reside within 
     50 miles of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to recall-eligible 
     retired judges of the Court of Appeals for Veterans 
     Claims.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 72 is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 7255 and inserting the following new 
     item:

``7255. Offices, duty stations, and residences.''.
       (b) Removal.--Section 7253(f)(1) is amended by striking 
     ``or engaging in the practice of law'' and inserting 
     ``engaging in the practice of law, or violating section 
     7255(c) of this title''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 7255, as added 
     by subsection (a), and the amendment made by subsection (b) 
     shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (b) 
     shall apply with respect to judges confirmed on or after 
     January 1, 2012.

     SEC. 303. DESIGNATION OF TRINKA DAVIS VETERANS VILLAGE.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs located at 180 Martin Drive in Carrollton, 
     Georgia, shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be 
     known and designated as the ``Trinka Davis Veterans 
     Village''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, record, or other paper of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``Trinka Davis Veterans Village''.

     SEC. 304. DESIGNATION OF WILLIAM ``BILL'' KLING DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs located at 9800 West Commercial Boulevard in 
     Sunrise, Florida, shall after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act be known and designated as the ``William `Bill' 
     Kling Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``William `Bill' Kling Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''.

     SEC. 305. DESIGNATION OF MANN-GRANDSTAFF DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER.

       (a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs 
     medical center in Spokane, Washington, shall after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the 
     ``Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs medical center referred to in 
     subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
     ``Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center''.

     SEC. 306. DESIGNATION OF DAVID F. WINDER DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY BASED OUTPATIENT 
                   CLINIC.

       (a) Designation.--The Department of Veterans Affairs 
     community based outpatient clinic located in Mansfield, Ohio, 
     shall after the date of the enactment of this Act be known 
     and designated as the ``David F. Winder Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other

[[Page H7445]]

     record of the United States to the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs community based outpatient clinic referred to in 
     subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
     ``David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community 
     Based Outpatient Clinic''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and add any extraneous material that they may have on S. 3202.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  S. 3202 is another bipartisan and bicameral product of the House and 
the Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. It's going to improve the 
lives of veterans and their families.
  I want to again thank my colleague, the ranking member, Mr. Michaud, 
and all the members of the committee and the subcommittees for their 
advocacy of the provisions of this bill. I also want to thank from the 
other side of the Capitol complex Senator Murray and Senator Burr for 
their work on improving these provisions. It's great working with 
Members who show that, when it comes to veterans issues, both sides can 
really come together and agree on issues for the common good.
  The first title of this bill pertains to cemetery matters, as one of 
my colleagues has already said. In June of this year, an indigent 
veteran with no next of kin was buried in a cardboard box in my home 
State of Florida. I, like many of my colleagues, was shocked and 
appalled to hear of this news. As a result, several sections of this 
legislation directly address that specific issue, and it will ensure 
that all eligible veterans, regardless of their personal or financial 
situation, will receive a dignified burial at a VA national cemetery. 
This would include providing VA with the authority to provide a casket, 
urn, or other acceptable burial container when a veteran has no known 
next of kin and the VA is unable to provide one.
  This legislation would also provide for more efficient communication 
between VA and local medical examiners and other agencies to ensure 
that eligible veterans with no next of kin will be properly laid to 
rest in a national cemetery. It would also require the VA report to 
Congress on its compliance with industry standards for appropriate 
burial containers.
  Another section of title I, authored by Mr. Culberson of Texas, would 
direct VA to ensure that any memorial service respects the wishes of a 
deceased veteran's family to include the use of religious symbols or 
volunteer honor guards. Given the numerous difficulties many families 
face when dealing with the death of a loved one, ensuring that their 
wishes can be honored with a VA memorial service is the least we can do 
to honor the memory of that veteran.
  The bill would also protect the honor of those buried in America's 
national cemeteries by prohibiting anyone convicted of a tier III sex 
offense and sentenced to life in prison from being laid to rest there. 
Because VA national cemeteries are such sacred grounds, it is important 
that we preserve the honor of those buried there by excluding those 
convicted of the most heinous of crimes.
  This legislation would provide a pathway toward the establishment of 
the Clark Veterans Cemetery, located in the Philippines, as a permanent 
cemetery restored, operated, and maintained by the American Battle 
Monuments Commission.

                              {time}  1650

  As the American Battle Monuments Commission currently operates and 
maintains other overseas veterans cemeteries, it is the most 
appropriate entity to accomplish the important task of honoring our 
fallen veterans who have been laid to rest at Clark.
  Title II of this legislation contains provisions that will enhance 
our ability to provide for the health care needs of our veterans. It 
includes a measure which would direct VA, in coordination with the 
Department of Defense, to establish and maintain an open burn pit 
registry for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who may have been exposed 
to toxic chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits during 
deployment.
  Many of our servicemembers and veterans have returned home from 
combat in Iraq and Afghanistan with serious questions and grave 
concerns about the possible long-term health effects of burn pit 
exposure. It is my hope that by establishing this registry we can 
provide them the answers and assurances they seek and develop better 
ways to care for them and future generations of America's warriors.
  Under this title, VA would also be authorized to provide 
transportation services to and from VA facilities for veterans with 
health care appointments and in connection with vocational 
rehabilitation or counseling. Veterans who live in rural communities, 
who are elderly, who are visually impaired, or who are immobile due to 
disease and disability often face significant challenges in traveling 
to access services that VA can provide. It is our intent that VA will 
use this authority to complement, and not replace, existing programs 
such as the valuable Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network; 
and as such, this authority is being provided for 1 year.
  Title III of the bill would require the Department of Labor to 
conduct a 2-year pilot program offering Transition Assistance Program 
training at off-base facilities in three to five States with high rates 
of unemployment among veterans. With the permission of the Department 
of Defense, National Guard and Reserve, facilities could be used. 
Veterans and spouses would be eligible for the program, which would be 
designed to train those veterans who did not participate in the Active 
Duty Transition Assistance Program or who just need to refresh their 
job-hunting skills.
  Additionally, this title would require that judges of the United 
States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims reside within 50 miles of 
the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area during their service. Such a 
requirement would put the veterans court in line with other Federal 
courts located in the District, which already have a residency 
requirement in place.
  Finally, this legislation includes four measures to name VA medical 
facilities in Georgia, Florida, Washington, and Ohio after prominent 
veterans or civilians who have performed outstanding services to 
veterans in the communities in which the VA facility is located.
  I want to encourage all Members to support the bill as amended.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The bill before us today, the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' 
Benefits Improvement Act of 2012, S. 3202, is a minibus collection of 
veterans measures that primarily focus on ensuring that our veterans 
receive proper burials that reflect and honor their service. The bill 
also establishes and expands several health care and transition 
assistance benefits, and it names four VA health facilities after 
Americans with distinguished honor.
  I appreciate the hard work of all of our colleagues in the House and 
in the Senate and of our staffs on the measures that were included in 
this bill. We all share the same goal--helping our veterans and their 
families receive the benefits that they have earned and deserve. This 
bill advances that goal, and I support its passage.
  Title I of this bill will allow the Secretary of the VA to provide a 
casket or urn to those veterans who die without a known next of kin, 
without identification or without financial means, thereby ensuring 
that these veterans are laid to rest with the utmost dignity.
  Mr. Speaker, there is also an allocation of $5 million in this title 
to attempt to address the longstanding maintenance, operation, and 
ownership issues at Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Philippines. Along 
with soldiers and civilians of other nationalities, over 2,200 American 
veterans are buried at Clark. This provision will honor their 
sacrifices by setting up the process for Clark to become a permanent

[[Page H7446]]

cemetery administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission. 
Clark continues to accept burials, including those from the Iraq war; 
and to ensure a smooth transition, it is critical that an agreement is 
reached between the two governments before it can become a permanent 
cemetery. I am confident that the ABMC will bring this cemetery up to 
its impeccable standards and that Congress will provide it the 
resources to do so.
  Title II of the bill contains a vital provision requiring the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, with help from the Department of 
Defense, to establish a burn pit registry. This registry would be for 
our men and women who may have been exposed to toxic airborne chemicals 
and fumes caused by open burn pits. Every time we send our men and 
women into combat, we need to do all that we can to properly assess 
their risks of exposure to toxins. It has been decades, and we still do 
not fully understand the risks associated with one's exposure to agent 
orange, an exposure causing many veterans to suffer without 
compensation. We should learn from this history, and this bill puts us 
on track to avoid repeating it again.
  Title II would also enhance VA transportation services to help more 
veterans access VA health care, and it contains a very timely measure 
that would extend the reporting requirement for posttraumatic stress 
disorder through 2016. The rate of PTSD remains high in the veteran 
population, and we must continue to keep this issue at the top of our 
radar as well as before Congress and the public so that we can continue 
to provide the funding that's needed.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, title III of this bill contains an important 
section that would direct the Department of Labor to provide the 
Transition Assistance Program, TAP, at locations other than at military 
installations. This 2-year pilot program will benefit our 
servicemembers and their spouses by providing additional opportunity to 
attend TAP and to learn about their earned benefits. Too many returning 
servicemembers are unable to take advantage of TAP. This is especially 
true for members of the National Guard and Reserve who often return 
from war to find that they lack the support military communities 
provide them. The TAP program is critical to a servicemember's 
successful transition back into civilian life, and I am glad to see it 
expanded.
  Again, I want to thank the members and Chairman Miller for their 
leadership on this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support its 
passage.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, might I inquire of the time 
remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida has 14\1/2\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the vice chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 3202, the Dignified 
Burial of Veterans Act.
  I appreciate my colleagues' diligence in moving this language through 
the Senate, and I am grateful for the work they have done on behalf of 
our veterans. I would also like to thank my good friend and fellow 
Floridian, Chairman Jeff Miller, and Ranking Member Bob Filner for the 
work they have done this Congress to improve the quality of services 
for our veterans--our true American heroes.
  This truly bipartisan piece of legislation incorporates language 
similar to H.R. 6073, which is legislation that I introduced in the 
House after learning that Private Lawrence Davis, Jr., a World War II 
veteran, had been buried in a cardboard box in a veterans cemetery not 
far from my district. This legislation ensures that veterans with no 
next of kin and insufficient funds for proper and dignified burials 
will receive assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Our Nation's heroes deserve to be buried in the same way they served 
our great Nation--with dignity, honor, and respect. Private Davis 
deserved better. While we cannot go back and rewrite what has already 
happened, we can ensure that it doesn't happen again. This legislation 
is the right thing to do; and in the final hours of this Congress, I am 
very pleased that this Chamber is taking action on this important piece 
of legislation. Again, I urge the passage of S. 3202.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, once again I encourage all 
Members to support this legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 
3202, the Dignified Burial of Veterans Act and particularly section 303 
of this bill, which designates the Department of Veterans Affairs 
facility in Carrollton, Georgia as the ``Trinka Davis Veterans 
Village.''
  Katherine ``Trinka'' Davis was a businesswoman from Carroll County 
who founded the Trinka Davis Foundation in 2004 after realizing the 
struggles many service men and women faced upon return from Iraq and 
Afghanistan. Though not a veteran herself, through her generosity, Ms. 
Davis performed an outstanding service for the veterans of Northwest 
Georgia.
  Mr. Speaker, Trinka made note of the reports of difficulties that 
many returning veterans and their respective families were facing: loss 
of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, unemployment, and loss of 
their homes.
  Although she is no longer with us, her memory lives on. Trinka left 
almost her entire estate--over $18 million--to the Foundation, which 
has used it to construct a first class health facility to aid our 
wounded warriors in their recovery and treatment.
  Mr. Speaker, with a war in Afghanistan, a recent one in Iraq, and 
unrest around the globe, the United States has more than 196,000 active 
duty service men and women that put their lives on the line--night and 
day--to protect our families and our freedoms. These men and women 
accepted the call of duty, leaving behind their loved ones and life as 
they know it to protect the lives of others.
  When our soldiers return from battle, sometimes they do not get the 
support and assistance that they deserve. Simply put, we owe them more. 
Just as they have answered the call to serve our country, we must 
answer the call to serve them. This is what Trinka Davis did.
  Thanks to Trinka's generosity and the tireless dedication of her 
foundation, the new clinic was donated to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs in August. The doors were opened for veterans to receive 
outpatient treatment on September 24, and in the coming months the 
clinic will also include a 42 bed community living center.
  While providing a variety of services including primary care, 
physical therapy, and outpatient mental health services, the facility 
will serve 3,000 veterans and will allow them to receive treatment 
closer to home.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that like our veterans, Ms. Davis is a hero. 
She recognized the needs of our veterans and worked tirelessly to meet 
them. The Trinka Davis Foundation ensured that Ms. Davis's commitment 
to the veterans and their families in the Carrollton community and 
beyond would be preserved through construction of the health facility.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Trinka's selfless 
actions and those who have bravely served our Nation by supporting S. 
3202.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, S. 3202.
  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. MILLER of Florida. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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