[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 85 (Monday, May 17, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2369-H2372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIVE VETSUCCESS AT TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PILOT PROGRAM ACT
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2878) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry
out a Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot
Program, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2878
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Native VetSuccess at Tribal
Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIVE VETSUCCESS AT TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall carry out a five-year pilot program, to be known as the
``Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot
Program''. Under such pilot program the Secretary shall--
(1) identify three regional Native VetSuccess service areas
consisting of at least two participating Tribal colleges or
universities;
(2) assign to each regional Native VetSuccess service area
a VetSuccess on Campus counselor and a full-time Vet Center
outreach coordinator, both of whom shall be based on one or
more of the participating Tribal colleges or universities in
the service area; and
(3) provide for eligible students at such participating
colleges and universities with all services for which such
students would be eligible under the VetSuccess on Campus
program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Eligible Students.--For purposes of the pilot program,
an eligible student is a student who is a veteran, member of
the Armed Forces, or dependent of a veteran or member of the
Armed Forces who is eligible for any service or benefit under
the VetSuccess on Campus program of the Department.
(c) Consultation Requirement.--In developing the pilot
program under this section, the Secretary, acting through the
Veteran Readiness and Employment Program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs and in coordination with the Office of
Tribal Government Relations of the Department, shall consult
with Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and veterans
service organizations regarding each of the following:
(1) The design of the pilot program.
(2) The selection of the three regional Native VetSuccess
service areas and participating Tribal colleges and
universities, taking into consideration--
(A) the number of eligible students enrolled in the college
or university and in the regional service area;
(B) the capacity of the colleges and universities in the
regional service area to accommodate a full-time VetSuccess
on Campus counselor and a full-time Vet Center outreach
coordinator;
(C) the lack of information available at the colleges and
universities in the regional service area about and lack of
access to benefits and services under the laws administered
by the Secretary; and
(D) any other factor that the Secretary or the Indian
tribes, Tribal organizations, and veterans service
organizations identify as relevant.
(3) The most effective way to provide culturally competent
outreach and services to eligible students at Tribal colleges
and universities.
(d) Outreach to Colleges and Universities.--The Secretary
shall provide notice of the pilot program to all Tribal
colleges and universities and encourage all Tribal colleges
and universities to coordinate with each other to create
regional service areas to participate in the pilot program.
(e) Briefings and Reports.--
(1) Implementation briefing.--Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
provide for the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and
the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate a briefing on--
(A) the design, structure, and objectives of the pilot
program; and
(B) the three regional Native Vet Success service areas and
the Tribal colleges and universities selected for
participation in the pilot program and the reason for the
selection of such service areas and such colleges and
universities.
(2) Report.--Not later than four years after the date on
which the Secretary establishes the pilot program, the
Secretary shall submit to such Committees a report on the
pilot program. Such report shall include each of the
following:
(A) The number of eligible students provided services
through the pilot program.
(B) The types of services that eligible students received
through the pilot program.
(C) The graduation rate of eligible students who received
services through the pilot program.
(D) The rate of employment within one year of graduation
for eligible students who received services through the pilot
program.
(E) Feedback from each Tribal college or university that
participated in the pilot program, including on the regional
nature of the program.
(F) Analysis of the feasibility of expanding a regionally
based Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities
Program, including an explanation of the challenges of such a
model due to issues with distance, communication, and
coordination, and to the level of unmet services.
[[Page H2370]]
(G) A detailed legislative proposal regarding a long-term
extension of the pilot program, including a budget, if the
Secretary determines that such an extension is appropriate.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``Tribal college or university'' has the
meaning given such term under section 316 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c).
(2) The term ``tribal organization'' has the meaning given
that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
(3) The term ``culturally competent'' means considerate of
the unique values, customs, traditions, cultures, and
languages of Native American veterans.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY
PILOT PROGRAM.
Subsection (g) of section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery
Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-
48; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note), as amended by section 4302 of the
Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care
and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315), is
amended to read as follows:
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Funds shall be made
available for carrying out the pilot program under this
section from funds appropriated to, or otherwise made
available to, the Department for the payment of readjustment
benefits, in the following amounts for a fiscal year in which
the Secretary carries out the pilot program:
``(1) For fiscal year 2019, $62,000,000.
``(2) For fiscal year 2020, $63,000,000.
``(3) For fiscal year 2021, $90,000,000.
``(4) For fiscal year 2022, $90,000,000.
``(5) For fiscal year 2023, $60,000,000.
``(6) For fiscal year 2024, $0.''.
SEC. 4. PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WHO
ARE ``ROUNDING OUT'' UNDER EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 3680(a) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the case of an
eligible veteran or eligible person who is pursuing a program
of education on less than a half-time basis during a period
that is the last semester, term, or academic period the
veteran or person will be enrolled in the program of
education because the veteran or person will complete the
program of education at the end of that semester, term or
academic period, the Secretary may, pursuant to such
regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, provide to the
veteran or person educational assistance under chapter 30,
32, 33, 34, or 35 of this title or under chapter 1606 of
title 10, including a monthly housing stipend described in
section 3313(c) of this title, on the basis of the total
number of credits or courses in which the veteran or person
is enrolled, if--
``(A) the number of credits the veteran or person needs to
complete the program of education is less than the number of
credits that would constitute enrollment on a more than half-
time basis for that last semester, term, or academic period;
and
``(B) the veteran or person--
``(i) is enrolled in, or has completed, every course
offered by the program of education during the last semester,
term, or academic period in which the veteran or person is
enrolled in the program of education; and
``(ii) enrolls in an additional course that is not required
for the completion of such program of education and the
enrollment in the non-required course in addition to the
required course or courses in which the veteran or person is
enrolled constitutes enrollment on more than a half-time
basis.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on August 1, 2021, and apply with respect
to any semester, term, or academic period that begins on or
after that date.
SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.
Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``October 1, 2030'' each place it appears
and inserting ``December 9, 2030''.
SEC. 6. EXPANSION AND EXTENSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) Expansion.--Subsection (a) of section 2041 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``or permanent housing'' after ``shelter'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``named in, or
approved by the Secretary under, section 5902 of this title''
and inserting ``that is the recipient of a grant under
section 2011, 2013, 2044, or 2061 of this title''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, tribal entity,''
after ``State''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)(B)--
(A) in clause (i), by inserting ``or to sell or rent the
property directly to homeless veterans or veterans at-risk of
homelessness'' after ``families''; and
(B) in each of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), by striking
the comma and inserting a semicolon.
(b) Extension.--Subsection (c) of such section is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September
30, 2025''.
SEC. 7. DETERMINATION 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 House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 2878, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak on H.R. 2878, as amended, the
Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program
Act, introduced by Congressman Gallego.
Started in 2009, the VetSuccess On Campus Program helps student
veterans succeed and thrive through delivery of on-campus benefits,
assistance, and counseling. This outreach is intended to help veterans
complete their education and prepare them for jobs.
Since its inception, the program has expanded multiple times, and
currently supports 104 schools across the country and is served by 87
VetSuccess counselors.
{time} 1500
However, Tribal colleges and universities are not currently served by
the VetSuccess program, creating a gap in access to the services and
benefits our Native American veterans have earned.
Madam Speaker, Native veterans serve in the Armed Forces at five
times the national average, and have served with distinction in every
major conflict for over 200 years. Native Americans have the highest
per capita involvement of any population in service in the U.S.
military, yet these same communities that serve disproportionately in
our military don't see the same resources delivered back to their
communities.
Congressman Gallego's legislation begins to close this gap by
creating the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities
Pilot Program Act at three sites around the Nation serving Tribal
colleges.
But that is not all. This legislation also includes additional
improvements that will deliver more benefits to all veterans using
their earned educational benefits.
Included in this legislation is expanded housing benefits for
veterans as they seek to finish programs of education; additional
funding for high-technology education courses to serve more veterans
during our economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic; and an
extension of VA housing partnerships with local communities to house
more veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Madam Speaker, I applaud Congressman Gallego, a veteran himself, for
bringing this package to us, and I ask my colleagues to join me in
supporting the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities
Pilot Program Act.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2878, as amended, the
Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program
Act.
This bill would direct the VA to carry out pilot programs on at least
two Tribal colleges or university campuses.
During the pilot, a VetSuccess counselor would be assigned to these
campuses to help eligible veterans navigate VA programs and benefits.
I support the underlying bill. I am also pleased that the bill, as
amended, included many Republican provisions.
[[Page H2371]]
This bill includes the revised text of Congresswoman Miller-Meeks'
bill, H.R. 2335, the VET TEC Enhancement Act of 2021. Her bill would
increase funding for the popular VET TEC pilot program to ensure that
funding does not run out before the end of the fiscal year. The bill
also provides additional funding for those programs in fiscal year 2022
and 2023.
Madam Speaker, I am glad we authorized additional funds for this
important program that is putting veterans back to work with a 70
percent placement rate. I think we would be hard-pressed to find
another program with such a high rate of success.
This bill also includes the text of Congressman Mann's bill, H.R.
2419, the Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act of 2021.
Congressman Mann's provision would authorize the VA to sell, lease,
rent or donate homes to homeless veterans providers.
These homes were acquired by the VA due to veterans defaulting on
their VA-guaranteed home loans. This change would increase the stock of
affordable housing that is available to house homeless veterans.
Finally, this bill would provide authorization for the VA to continue
the practice of rounding out the semester for GI Bill students. This
practice ensures that the students who are finishing their education
early are able to take an additional class to receive their full
housing stipend.
I am dismayed that, without this legislative fix, the Biden
administration is poised to end the decades-long practice on August 1.
Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Levin for working with us to ensure
rounding out continues and students are not hurt by the VA's decision.
I also thank Congresswoman Miller-Meeks and Congressman Mann for their
hard work on both of these bills.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support this bill, and I urge my
colleagues to do the same.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Gallego), my good friend and an author of this
legislation, H.R. 2878, and a member of the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee.
Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R.
2878, the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot
Program Act.
I thank Chair Takano for bringing this bill to the floor. I also
thank my co-leads on this legislation: Representative Dusty Johnson,
Representative Tom O'Halleran, and Representative Tom Cole.
Native Americans have served our country in every war since the
American Revolution. To this day, Native Americans volunteer to serve
at higher rates than any other demographic group. I, myself, served
alongside Native American Marines in Iraq.
Indigenous peoples have a decorated history of service, yet Native
veterans have less access to benefits than other groups of veterans.
That must change.
Today, we consider a bill that will give Native veterans attending
Tribal colleges and universities access to an already successful
student veteran program, the VetSuccess on Campus Program.
The VetSuccess program helps student veterans graduate on time,
successfully enter the workforce, and access VA benefits at over 100
colleges and universities. H.R. 2878 would extend this successful
program to TCUs in a regional model to reach as many Native veterans as
possible. There is no time to waste in passing this important
legislation.
In addition to expanding the VetSuccess to Native veterans, H.R. 2878
includes emergency funds for veteran technology education courses,
known as VET TEC. The VET TEC program was created to allow veterans to
pursue vocational training for 21st century careers in high-tech fields
like software development, programming, coding, media, and more.
During the pandemic, more veterans than ever are looking for training
in high-skilled, high-tech careers, so much so that the VET TEC program
has run out of money for this year already. That is why H.R. 2878
includes an immediate influx of funds for VET TEC so more veterans can
receive this critical funding.
H.R. 2878 also includes a provision to fight veteran homelessness.
The COVID-19 pandemic devastated our economy and healthcare system in
general, disproportionately hurting veterans. We don't know yet the
full impact of the pandemic on veteran homelessness, but we know
veterans need our help immediately.
My bill will extend the authorization allowing the VA to partner with
nonprofits, States, Tribes, and localities to help more veterans find
both temporary shelter and permanent housing. This provision will save
veterans' lives, period.
Finally, H.R. 2878 includes a provision to help student veterans keep
their housing benefits in their final semester of education. Ensuring
student veterans can remain housed for the duration of their education
is essential to ensure that veterans graduate on time and can
successfully enter the workforce.
Before I close, I want to especially thank Representatives Miller-
Meeks, Levin, Mann, and Pappas for their work with me on this
bipartisan bill.
Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague,
Representative Bost, for yielding to me.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Congressman Gallego's
bipartisan Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot
Program Act.
I am proud that this legislation was amended by the Veterans' Affairs
Committee to include my bipartisan VET TEC Enhancement Act. This
legislation, which I proudly introduced with a fellow veteran,
Congressman Kahele, would increase the amount authorized to be
appropriated for the Veteran Employment Through Technical Education
Courses program.
VET TEC is a 5-year pilot program that allows eligible veterans to
use GI Bill-style benefits to attend innovative job training programs
to prepare them for future employment in the technology industry.
My bill to support our veterans would increase current funding for
the VET TEC program from $45 million to $90 million per year to allow
the VA to enroll more veterans in this popular program. This program
ensures that our veterans have the tools they need to gain meaningful
employment.
To date, over 1,800 veterans have completed the VET TEC program and
found well-paying jobs with an average salary of $57,000 per year.
I have spoken to veterans' groups in my district and across the
country, and there is overwhelming support for this commonsense
program.
This is another highly successful avenue to assist veterans
reentering the civilian workforce, and I am proud to see the House
taking action to support our veterans.
In closing, I would like to thank Congressman Kahele for his
partnership on this important issue, and Congressman Gallego for his
support.
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the bipartisan
Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program
Act.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), my good friend and chair of the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the veterans of
our military who, following their service, are housing insecure.
Although we have made significant strides in combating veteran
homelessness, the fact remains that more than 37,000 veterans are
homeless right now, and many more are worried about keeping a roof over
their heads.
That is why the Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act is
needed. I introduced this bill with Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations Ranking Member Mann, and it is included as part of H.R.
2878 today.
This legislation will allow the VA to continue to acquire homes
through foreclosure, and then sell or lease these homes to veterans in
need of housing.
This much we know: A veteran who has sworn to give everything for the
United States, up to and including their life, should not be without a
roof over their head and a safe place to sleep when their service is
over.
[[Page H2372]]
As President Kennedy said of those who have served: ``As we express
our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is
not to utter words, but to live by them.''
Let's show our veterans our gratitude by addressing housing
insecurity and passing this legislation today, as well as the
underlying bill sponsored by Representative Gallego.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to gentleman from Kansas
(Mr. Mann), my good friend.
Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight veterans bills
before the House floor.
I appreciate the opportunity to first highlight legislation that
Representative Pappas and I introduced, aimed at helping veteran
homelessness.
H.R. 2878 and the Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act of
2021 would increase the number of affordable housing options to help
reduce the recent uptick in veteran homelessness due to the ongoing
pandemic.
Our job on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee is to ensure that we
are taking care of and doing right by our veterans. This legislation
works to do just that. Curbing veterans' homelessness and ensuring our
Nation's heroes are not without shelter for themselves and
their families is a top priority for me. There are over 37,000 veterans
experiencing homelessness in America. This is not acceptable for our
veterans, and we must be part of the solution.
I was pleased to see the Department of VA and the Department of
Housing and Urban Development align efforts to join forces to find ways
to end veteran homelessness. One of the priorities mentioned by VA and
HUD is increasing the supply and access to affordable housing.
My legislation reauthorizes and amends the program that allows the
Secretary of VA to sell, lease, rent or donate a home which was
acquired by VA because a veteran defaulted on their VA-guaranteed home
loan to a public housing authority, grant and per diem provider, or a
Supportive Services for Veterans Families service provider.
The public housing authority or providers could then use these homes
to shelter other veterans and their families who are homeless or at
risk of becoming homeless.
By reauthorizing this program and removing some burdensome
regulations from the old program, the number of affordable housing
options in higher cost areas will increase and provide relief to
veterans who have limited affordable housing options.
I was pleased this legislation received bipartisan support from my
colleagues on the committee, as well as many members not on the
committee. This broad support shows a willingness by this House of
Representatives to implement these impactful changes for our veterans
across the country.
I also had the opportunity to speak with VA Secretary McDonough when
he visited VA facilities in Kansas. I spoke to him about the Affordable
Housing for Homeless Veterans Act, and he was encouraged about the work
we were doing in the committee to help veterans. I look forward to my
continued partnership with Secretary McDonough and the VA.
I also want to quickly highlight another piece of legislation I
introduced along with Representative Lamb, the VA Equal Employment
Counseling Modernization Act.
{time} 1515
This legislation removes burdensome regulations by simply removing
the cap on the number of full-time employees at the Department of
Veterans Affairs who provide equal opportunity employment counseling.
It is a small, incremental change, but changes like this help the VA
get our veterans into jobs quickly and ensure we are giving them the
best care and guidance possible.
I thank Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost for allowing me to
speak on behalf of the Affordable Housing for Veterans Act. I look
forward to passing these pieces of legislation and continuing to work
with everyone to help veterans.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
the State of Hawaii (Mr. Kahele).
Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for
yielding me time.
Madam Speaker, today, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 2878, the
bipartisan Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot
Program, which includes a bill that I co-led with my esteemed colleague
from Iowa's Second Congressional District, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks,
the VET TEC Enhancement Act.
In our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, our veterans
and their families have sacrificed so much to protect our Nation and
keep our country whole. We owe them our thanks, we owe them our
respect, but most importantly, we owe them our support as they
transition back into civilian life once their service is over.
The Veteran Employment Through Technical Education Courses, or VET
TEC, is a 5-year pilot program that allows eligible veterans to use GI
Bill-style benefits to attend innovative job training programs and
prepare them for future employment in the technology industry. Our bill
would expand funding of this program from $45 million to $125 million a
year, allowing more of our men and women in uniform to enroll each
year.
The VET TEC program is highly popular and has a 90 percent completion
rate, giving our veterans the tools they need to gain meaningful
employment in well-paying jobs. No servicemember who has taken the oath
to protect and defend our country should be left behind in today's 21st
century workforce. I am proud to co-lead this important legislation,
and I look forward to its passage and benefit to America's
servicemembers. Mahalo.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. In closing, I
ask all my colleagues to join me in passing this important piece of
legislation, H.R. 2878, as amended, and 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. Takano) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2878, as amended.
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. ROSENDALE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
____________________