[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16426]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 16426]]

                       VETERANS RIGHT TO KNOW ACT

  (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to commend this body 
for passing two pieces of legislation yesterday that enhance the 
benefits of our veterans, H.R. 4850 and H.R. 4864. It does not matter 
how many benefits we provide our veterans if they do not know what they 
are entitled to.
  Throughout our Nation's history, millions of men and women have 
served in our Armed Forces during times of peace and times of war. They 
have defended the very freedoms our country was founded upon.
  Too often our Nation's heroes are not adequately informed about what 
their benefits are and what they are entitled to. This is simply 
unacceptable.
  We have introduced H.R. 3256, the Veterans Right to Know Act; and if 
anyone has a right to know, our veterans have a right to know. The 
Veterans Right to Know Act requires the Secretary of VA to prepare an 
annual outreach plan that will include efforts to identify veterans who 
are not otherwise enrolled or registered with the Department for 
benefits or services.
  It enjoys the bipartisan support of 72 House members. Veterans have 
served this country. We are accountable to our veterans, and we are 
going to deliver.

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