[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29666]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    CONCURRING IN SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 2280, VETERANS BENEFITS 
                IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999, WITH AMENDMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2280--the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 1999. I know many of my 
colleagues share my sentiments when it comes to our veterans; for their 
selfless sacrifice in the name of freedom, we can never thank them 
enough. The basic principle that lies behind the public support our 
veterans traces back to the earliest days of this Republic.
  This bill, in part, carries on that legacy of gratitude. Among some 
technical fixes included within this bill is legislation concerning the 
National WWII Memorial, the expansion of Veterans cemeteries, benefits 
for homeless veterans, and mechanisms for improving the Court of 
Appeals for Veterans Claims. Finally, this bill includes a Senate 
Amendment that will provide a cost-of-living adjustment in rates of 
compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
  As we come to the close of the 20th Century, we are again reminded of 
the brutality that has been unleashed on human kind as a result of war 
and armed conflict. Whenever and wherever there had been a just cause, 
the United States was there to support the side of righteousness. The 
dedication and bravery exhibited by our veterans can never be 
forgotten. As a citizen from the territory of Guam, a place that was 
occupied by foreign troops some 50-odd years ago, the feat of 
liberation by the combined efforts of both Chamorro insurgents from the 
hills and from American Marines on the shores will forever remain 
legendary in the annals of history. Mr. Speaker, on this eve of the 
81st anniversary of Veterans day, passage of this bill is all together 
fitting and proper. I commend Chairman Stump for his leadership in 
bringing this measure to the floor. I would also like to thank my good 
friend Mr. Evans for his tireless efforts to fight for the American 
veteran and always keep them within the public consciousness. I urge 
all my colleagues to support this important legislation.

                          ____________________