[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16543]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
75th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the 
tens of thousands of men and women serving America's veterans in the VA 
system. With its establishment as the Veterans Administration on July 
21st, 1931, the United States formalized its commitment to providing 
benefits to America's veterans.
  The freedom that we enjoy in the United States exists because of the 
sacrifices of the brave men and women who have served and protected our 
nation. Since America's humble beginnings in the Pilgrim colonies, our 
country has honored the great sacrifice of our veterans by committing 
to serve them upon their return from duty. Today, the United States 
provides the most comprehensive system of assistance for veterans of 
any nation in the world.
  Congress must ensure that this tradition of serving veterans remains 
strong. Many veterans returning from combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and 
around the world have suffered multiple severe injuries, presenting 
challenges that were unimaginable in past wars. In Minnesota, the 
Minneapolis VA Medical Center is a leader in the nation in providing 
the state-of-the-art, life-saving care at its new polytrauma 
rehabilitation center. These new challenges require that Congress 
commit to fully funding research and care for these veterans who have 
given so much in the line of duty.
  Nationwide, more than 144,000 returning troops from Iraq and 
Afghanistan have now sought health care with the VA, and it is 
estimated that one in four Americans are eligible for VA benefits and 
services. More than 30,000 veterans are waiting in line for their first 
appointment with the VA, a problem that will only worsen with the 
growing numbers of returning service men and women. Despite this 
reality, the Republican budget for Fiscal Year 2007 cuts veterans 
health care by $6 billion over the next five years.
  In 1944, Congress enacted the original GI Bill of Rights, to honor 
the Greatest Generation--providing our returning troops with 
educational benefits, loans to buy a home and medical assistance. In 
each major military conflict since, we have honored the service of our 
soldiers through an improved GI bill.
  I join my Democratic colleagues in supporting the New GI Bill for the 
21st Century to strengthen benefits for our men and women in uniform 
today, and provide long overdue benefits for the veterans and military 
retirees who have already served. For those returning from the 
frontlines, we are continuing our efforts to fight to adequately invest 
in veterans' health care, including mental health care.
  Veterans have earned our respect, whether they served during WWII, 
Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War or have recently returned from Iraq or 
Afghanistan. These veterans who fought on the battlefield for freedom 
and liberty should not have to fight their own government for the 
benefits they earned and deserve when they return home. Nor should they 
have to fear that their private information entrusted to the VA is at 
risk. It is crucial that we continue to increase our dedication to 
veterans by providing them the services promised to them and we must 
fulfill our obligations to those who have worn our nation's uniform 
with not just words, but with deeds.
  The 75th anniversary of the Department of Veterans Affairs is an 
opportunity to salute our brave veterans and dedicated men and women 
who devote their careers to caring for them. Just as important, it is 
an opportunity for Congress to reaffirm both the responsibility and a 
moral obligation to provide the necessary healthcare, education, and 
disability benefits to meet the needs of all our veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, for its 75 years of service to America's veterans.

                          ____________________