[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

  Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I congratulate the Department of 
Veterans Affairs on its 10th anniversary of becoming a cabinet level 
department of the federal government. On March 15, 1989, the new 
Department of Veterans Affairs was established, headed by a Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs.
  Over the past ten years, VA has worked hard to fulfill its 
commitments to our nation's veterans by providing benefits and health 
care to millions of Americans who have given so much to protect and 
defend our country and its liberties. Among VA's many contributions: VA 
research scientists and practitioners have led in the advancement of 
medical research and health care delivery; VA benefits such as home 
loans, life insurance and educational support have been immensely 
helpful in transitioning active duty military members back into 
civilian life; and VA disability payments aid veterans injured in the 
line of duty as partial compensation by a grateful nation for their 
many sacrifices.
  As Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I will help ensure 
that VA sustains these many programs to meet the myriad needs of an 
aging veteran population. I am certain my colleagues share that 
commitment as well.
  The mission of the VA, as enunciated by President Abraham Lincoln, is 
``To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, 
and his orphan.'' Congratulations to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, and may it continue to serve our nation well for years to 
come.




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