[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13695-13699]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               VETERANS OUTREACH IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 67) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the 
outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 67

       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 ``Veterans Outreach 
     Improvement Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENT OF OUTREACH ACTIVITIES WITHIN DEPARTMENT 
                   OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:

                  ``SUBCHAPTER IV--OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

     ``Sec. 561. Outreach activities: coordination of activities 
       within the Department

       ``(a) Coordination Procedures.--The Secretary shall 
     establish and maintain procedures for ensuring the effective 
     coordination of the outreach activities of the Department 
     between and among the following:
       ``(1) The Office of the Secretary.
       ``(2) The Office of Public Affairs.
       ``(3) The Veterans Health Administration.
       ``(4) The Veterans Benefits Administration.
       ``(5) The National Cemetery Administration.
       ``(b) Annual Review of Procedures.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) annually review the procedures in effect under 
     subsection (a) for the purpose of ensuring that those 
     procedures meet the requirements of that subsection; and
       ``(2) make such modifications to those procedures as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate in light of such review in 
     order to better achieve that purpose.

     ``Sec. 562. Outreach activities: cooperative activities with 
       States; grants to States for improvement of outreach

       ``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to 
     provide for assistance by the Secretary to State and county 
     veterans agencies to carry out programs in locations within 
     the respective jurisdictions of such agencies that offer a 
     high probability of improving outreach and assistance to 
     veterans, and to the spouses, children, and parents of 
     veterans, to ensure that such individuals are fully informed 
     about, and assisted in applying for, any veterans' and 
     veterans-related benefits and programs (including State 
     veterans' programs) for which they may be eligible.
       ``(b) Priority for Areas With High Concentration of 
     Eligible Individuals.--In providing assistance under this 
     section, the Secretary shall give priority to State and 
     county veteran agencies in locations--
       ``(1) that have relatively large concentrations of 
     populations of veterans and other individuals referred to in 
     subsection (a); or
       ``(2) that are experiencing growth in the population of 
     veterans and other individuals referred to in subsection (a).
       ``(c) Contracts for Outreach Services.--The Secretary may 
     enter into a contract with a State or county veterans agency 
     in order to carry out, coordinate, improve, or otherwise 
     enhance outreach by the Department and the State or county 
     (including outreach with respect to a State or county 
     veterans program). As a condition of entering into any such 
     contract, the Secretary shall require the agency to submit 
     annually to the Secretary a three-year plan for the use of 
     any funds provided to the agency pursuant to the contract and 
     to meet the annual outcome measures developed by the 
     Secretary under subsection (d)(4).
       ``(d) Grants.--(1) The Secretary may make a grant to a 
     State or county veterans agency to be used to carry out, 
     coordinate, improve, or otherwise enhance--
       ``(A) outreach activities, including activities carried out 
     pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (c); and
       ``(B) activities to assist in the development and submittal 
     of claims for veterans and veterans-related benefits, 
     including activities carried out pursuant to a contract 
     entered into under subsection (c).
       ``(2) A State veterans agency that receives a grant under 
     this subsection may award all or a portion of the grant to 
     county veterans agencies within the State to provide outreach 
     services for veterans, on the basis of the number of veterans 
     residing in the jurisdiction of each county.
       ``(3) To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, a 
     State or county veterans agency shall submit to the Secretary 
     an application containing such information and assurances as 
     the Secretary may require. The Secretary shall require a 
     State or county veterans agency to include, as part of the 
     agency's application--
       ``(A) a three-year plan for the use of the grant; and
       ``(B) a description of the programs through which the 
     agency will meet the annual outcome measures developed by the 
     Secretary under paragraph (4).
       ``(4)(A) The Secretary shall develop and provide to the 
     recipient of a grant under this subsection written guidance 
     on annual outcome measures, Department policies, and 
     procedures for applying for grants under this section.
       ``(B) The Secretary shall annually review the performance 
     of each State or county veterans agency that receives a grant 
     under this section.
       ``(C) In the case of a State or county veterans agency that 
     is a recipient of a grant under this subsection that does not 
     meet the annual outcome measures developed by the Secretary, 
     the Secretary shall require the agency to submit a 
     remediation plan under which the agency shall describe how 
     and when it plans to meet such outcome measures. The 
     Secretary must approve such plan before the Secretary may 
     make a subsequent grant to that agency under this subsection.
       ``(5) No portion of any grant awarded under this subsection 
     may be used for the purposes of administering the grant funds 
     or to subsidize the salaries of State or county veterans 
     service officers or other employees of a State or county 
     veterans agency that receives a grant under this subsection.
       ``(6) Federal funds provided to a State or county veterans 
     agency under this subsection may not be used to provide more 
     than 50 percent of the total cost of the State or county 
     government activities described in paragraph (1) and shall be 
     used to expand existing outreach programs and services and 
     not to supplant State and local funding that is otherwise 
     available.
       ``(7) In awarding grants under this subsection, the 
     Secretary shall give priority to State and county veterans 
     agencies that serve the largest populations of veterans.
       ``(8)(A) In a case in which a county government does not 
     have a county veterans agency, the county government may be 
     awarded a grant under this subsection to establish such an 
     agency.
       ``(B) In a case in which a county government does not have 
     a county veterans agency and does not seek to establish such 
     an

[[Page 13696]]

     agency through the use of a grant under this subsection, the 
     State veterans agency for the State in which the county is 
     located may use a grant under this section to provide 
     outreach services for that county.
       ``(C) In the case of a State in which no State or county 
     veterans agency seeks to receive a grant under this 
     subsection, the funds that would otherwise be allocated for 
     that State shall be reallocated to those States in which 
     county veterans agencies exist and have sought grants under 
     this subsection.
       ``(9) A grant under this subsection may be used to provide 
     education and training, including on-the-job training, for 
     State, county, and local government employees who provide (or 
     when trained will provide) veterans outreach services in 
     order for those employees to obtain accreditation in 
     accordance with procedures approved by the Secretary and, for 
     employees so accredited, for purposes of continuing 
     education.
       ``(e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
       ``(1) The term `State veterans agency' means the element of 
     the government of a State that has responsibility for 
     programs and activities of that State government relating to 
     veterans benefits.
       ``(2) The term `county veterans agency' means the element 
     of the government of a county or municipality that has 
     responsibility for programs and activities of that county or 
     municipal government relating to veterans benefits.

     ``Sec. 563. Outreach activities: funding

       ``(a) Separate Account.--Amounts for the outreach 
     activities of the Department under this subchapter shall be 
     budgeted and appropriated through a separate appropriation 
     account.
       ``(b) Separate Statement of Amount.--In the budget 
     justification materials submitted to Congress in support of 
     the Department budget for any fiscal year (as submitted with 
     the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 
     31), the Secretary shall include a separate statement of the 
     amount requested to be appropriated for that fiscal year for 
     the account specified in subsection (a).

     ``Sec. 564. Definition of outreach

       ``For purposes of this subchapter, the term `outreach' 
     means the act or process of taking steps in a systematic 
     manner to provide information, services, and benefits 
     counseling to veterans, and the survivors of veterans, who 
     may be eligible to receive benefits under the laws 
     administered by the Secretary to ensure that those 
     individuals are fully informed about, and assisted in 
     applying for, any benefits and programs under such laws for 
     which they may be eligible.

     ``Sec. 565. Authorization of appropriations

       ``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
     for each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010, $25,000,000 to 
     carry out this subchapter, including making grants under 
     section 562(d) of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new items:

                  ``subchapter iv--outreach activities

``561. Outreach activities: coordination of activities within the 
              Department.
``562. Outreach activities: cooperative activities with States; grants 
              to States for improvement of outreach.
``563. Outreach activities: funding.
``564. Definition of outreach.
``565. Authorization of appropriations.''.
       (c) Deadline for Implementation.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall implement the outreach activities required 
     under subchapter IV of chapter 5 of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by subsection (a), by not later than 120 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to myself such time as I may 
consume.
  This bill comes to us from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
McIntyre), and we thank him for his leadership on veterans outreach.
  If I had to sum up this bill in one phrase, I would say that it 
allows local organizations to provide more bang for the buck by having 
greater resources at the local level.
  This bill requires the VA to partner with State and local 
governments, through grant opportunities, to reach out to veterans and 
their families to ensure receipt of benefit for which they are eligible 
and assist them in completing their benefits claims.
  As we have seen from recent news reports all over the country, we 
still have veterans slipping through the cracks of this system. They 
are either unaware of their veterans benefits or are having difficulty 
getting those benefits processed.
  This bill establishes a grant program for the VA to provide to 
States' outreach activities, cooperative relationships and benefit 
claims development. The grant program allows State veterans agencies to 
award a portion of the grants to local governments for outreach 
purposes.
  In addition, the grant allows funding for education and training of 
State and local government employees for accreditation to provide 
outreach services. It may also be used to establish a local government 
veterans service program.
  The bill prohibits any portion of the grant to be used by the State 
for administrative purposes and requires the VA to allocate grants 
based on veteran populations.
  The bill limits grant use by States to less than 50 percent of the 
cost of State and local government outreach activities and prohibits 
grant funds from supplanting State and local funds for such activities.
  H.R. 67 authorizes $25 million annually, in fact $1 per veteran in 
our Nation, to improve outreach to veterans and remove some of the 
significant obstacles veterans must overcome to access their benefits. 
This is particularly true in rural areas, which Mr. McIntyre 
represents. The bill also contains performance measures to ensure that 
grant recipients are properly fulfilling the requirements of the 
program.
  The bill is supported by the American Legion, Military Officers 
Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, 
National County Veteran Service Officers, National Organization of 
Veterans Advocates, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 67, the Veterans Outreach 
Improvement Act. I thank my colleagues, Mr. McIntyre and Mr. Filner, 
for bringing the legislation to the floor.
  H.R. 67 requires Secretary Nicholson to coordinate and implement a 
plan throughout the VA to help provide veterans with outreach so that 
they are aware of potential benefits and understand how to apply for 
them.
  The bill also authorizes a matching fund grants program for State and 
local governments to provide such outreach.
  I'd also like to thank my colleague, Mr. Lamborn from Colorado, for 
his amendment to this legislation with reporting and grant requirements 
to strengthen accountability for admission.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 
Lamborn).
  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 67, the 
Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007.
  I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Hall of New York, 
chairman of the committee's Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs 
Subcommittee, of which I am ranking member, for his leadership on this 
bill.
  I would also like to thank Mr. McIntyre, the sponsor of this 
legislation, and both Ranking Member Buyer and Chairman Filner for 
their support.
  One of the persistent challenges we face in providing benefits to 
deserving veterans is communicating to them and their families the 
existence of benefits they may have earned. This bill is a solid 
example of good federalism. It funds outreach by State and local 
governments, which have proven to be capable incubators for effective 
public policy.
  This legislation also sends VA a signal that Congress expects strong 
and effective outreach to our veterans.
  I'm also pleased that Chairman Hall and I were able to work together 
to improve an already good bill with an amendment that would improve 
VA's accountability for the taxpayer dollars allocated under this 
authorization.
  This amendment would require any State or county veterans agency 
applying for funds to submit a plan for their use to the VA Secretary 
and for the Secretary to review their performance annually.

[[Page 13697]]

  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the author of the legislation, 
Mr. McIntyre, such time as he may consume.
  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 67, the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007, a 
bill which I filed on the first day of this 110th Congress back in 
January.
  I want to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for their 
support, as well as Mr. Hall, the chairman of the subcommittee, and the 
gentleman who just spoke, Mr. Lamborn, the ranking member of the 
subcommittee.
  This truly has been a bipartisan effort. H.R. 67 will help our 
veterans cut through the bureaucratic red tape. You know, as we 
approach Memorial Day this coming weekend, there can be no greater 
tribute that we pay to our veterans than ensuring that they receive the 
benefits that they need and deserve.
  H.R. 67 would allow the VA to partner with State and local 
governments to reach out to veterans and their families, to ensure that 
they receive the benefits for which they are eligible, and assisting 
them in completing their benefits claims. The Veterans Outreach 
Improvement Act would require the Secretary of the VA to establish and 
annually review a plan to coordinate outreach activities within the 
Department so that local veterans service officers can better serve our 
veterans.
  Unfortunately, many veterans, their spouses, or, in some cases, their 
surviving spouses, are unaware of the benefits to which they are 
entitled through the VA. In fact, according to a Knight-Ridder report, 
as many as 2 million poor veterans or their widows may not be receiving 
up to $22 billion annually in pensions to which they are entitled. 
Other estimates suggest that only 30 percent of our veterans receive 
the benefits for which they are eligible.
  Under this bill, the Secretary of the VA would establish a grant 
program to fund outreach at the State and local levels with 
accompanying performance measures to ensure that the Federal funds are 
effectively promoting outreach. This bill would authorize $25 million 
annually in fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 to fund this grant 
program. That is $1 for each veteran in America, just $1 to make sure 
that we are reaching out to these brave men and women who fought for 
our country to know about the benefits they have earned and have 
assistance in applying for them. It would be $25 million well spent, 
well directed. It's the least that we can do for those who have put 
their lives on the line for our country to make sure they know, 
understand and, in fact, receive the benefits for which they are 
eligible.
  By providing these vital resources to veterans service offices at the 
State and Federal level, we will indeed get more bang for our buck to 
locate veterans and assist them in receiving the benefits they deserve.
  This legislation is supported by the American Legion, Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan 
Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America, the 
National Association of Veterans' Advocates and the National 
Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
  My special thanks to Ms. Ann Knowles of Sampson County, North 
Carolina, who has worked with us on this important bill in her role as 
national president of the County Veterans Service Officers.
  As Memorial Day approaches, it's important that we demonstrate to 
this Nation's veterans our commitment to provide them the benefits that 
they need and deserve. By passing the Veterans Outreach Improvement 
Act, we will do just that.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to myself such time as I may consume.
  I would ask the Chair how much time I have.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Indiana has 18 minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for bringing 
this bill to the Veterans' Affairs Committee and for his interest in 
outreach.
  In the bill previous to this one, I brought up an issue with regard 
to how we give proper recognition to a Medal of Honor recipient, Gerry 
Murphy of New Mexico. Gerry Murphy, in his tenure at the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, even after he retired, was a champion of veterans 
outreach. Like many of my comrades, when they come back from war, they 
have seen a lot of things, far worse than what I have ever seen. They 
call themselves generally, Mr. McIntyre, the lucky ones, because one of 
their friends or buddies is in worse shape than what they are; they 
dedicate their lives to them.
  That's exactly what Gerry Murphy did in his tenure, not only serving 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, but, in addition, he was the 
director of the Veterans Services Division of the Albuquerque, New 
Mexico, regional VA office from 1974 to 1997. This individual, 
dedicated his life and received not only the Medal of Honor, he also 
received the Silver Star.
  What I would like to do, so America can reach out and touch and 
understand the type of individual who would dedicate his life to the 
service of his comrades, and he would push them in a wheelchair, take 
them to an appointment in that hospital. The individual he was pushing, 
they had no idea that they were being pushed by a Medal of Honor 
recipient.
  This individual, Raymond G. Murphy, was a second lieutenant in the 
United States Marines Reserve, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 
1st Marine Division, and 3 February of 1953 was an important date, 
because on that date, for his conspicuous gallantry, and the risk of 
his life above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander of 
Company A, and actions against an enemy aggressor force, he rose up and 
distinguished himself.
  The citation that he received when he was given the Congressional 
Medal of Honor stated that although painfully wounded by fragments of 
an enemy mortar shell while leading his evacuation platoon in support 
of assault units attacking a cleverly concealed and well-entrenched 
hostile force occupying commanding ground, Second Lieutenant Murphy 
steadfastly refused medical aid and continued to lead his men up a hill 
through a withering barrage of hostile mortar and small-arms fire, 
skillfully maneuvering his force from one position to the next and 
shouting words of encouragement.
  Undeterred by increasing intense enemy fire, he immediately located 
casualties as they fell and made several trips up and down the fire-
swept hill to direct evacuation teams for the wounded, personally 
carrying many of the stricken marines to safety.
  When reinforcements were needed by the assaulting elements, Second 
Lieutenant Murphy employed part of his unit as support, and, during the 
ensuing battle, he killed two of the enemy with his pistol.
  With all the wounded evacuated and the assaulting units beginning to 
disengage, he remained behind with a carbine to cover the movement of 
the friendly forces off the hill, and, through the suffering of intense 
pain from his previous wounds, seized an automatic rifle to provide 
more firepower when the enemy reappeared in the trenches.
  After reaching the base of the hill, he organized a search party 
again to ascend the slope for a final check on missing marines. 
Locating and carrying the bodies of a marine gun crew back down the 
hill, he was wounded a second time while conducting the entire force to 
the line of departure through a continuing barrage of enemy small arms, 
artillery, mortar fire.
  He also, once again, refused medical assistance until assured that 
every one of his men, including all casualties, had preceded him to the 
main line. His resolute, inspiring leadership, exceptional fortitude 
and great personal valor reflect the highest credit upon Second 
Lieutenant Raymond Murphy, and he enhanced the finest traditions of the 
United States Naval Service.
  This was the citation he received, was given to him when he received 
the Medal of Honor. This is the same individual whereby the three 
members of

[[Page 13698]]

the New Mexico delegation, led by Heather Wilson, have brought a bill, 
H.R. 474, to the floor about the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, New 
Mexico, where he worked. As a matter of fact, he was always the humble 
servant. Even after his retirement, as I said, he became a volunteer.
  This brave marine, who earned the Medal of Honor, chose to be buried 
wearing his VA hospital volunteer smock. This is the type of individual 
of whom, at a moment like this, as we go into Memorial Day, we think of 
these individuals, not only what they have done, not only at the moment 
of calling, it was most difficult during war, but then how did they 
dedicate their life.
  Memorial Day, yes, it's that day, but it's also a day whereby, not 
those who just died in service to country, but what do they do later on 
with their life, and we think of them. Here is a gentleman, Mr. 
McIntyre, I know exactly this is the type of person you are thinking 
about, who dedicated themselves to outreach.
  So I ask you to talk to the chairman, because he is the sole 
impediment as to why the House and the Senate do not honor this 
gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 67, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to unanimously 
support this bill.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of six excellent 
pieces of legislation that would benefit our Nation's veterans.
  Unfortunately, due to a family medical emergency, I am unable to be 
present and vote for these bills today. However, had I been here to 
vote, each of the six bills would have had my full support.
  As we approach Memorial Day, it is important to honor our Nation's 
servicemen and servicewomen. We would not be a free Nation without the 
sacrifices that each and every one has made. These six important pieces 
of legislation are an excellent way to repay some of the debt that we 
owe all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and merchant marines.
  I support each of these bills, and I urge all of my colleagues to 
honor our veterans by supporting these bills as well.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 67, the 
Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007. This bill directs the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish, maintain, and modify as 
necessary procedures for ensuring the effective coordination of 
outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office 
of the Secretary, the Office of Public Affairs, the Veterans Health 
Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National 
Cemetery Administration. The bill would also direct the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to ensure that state, territorial and local outreach 
assistance is provided in locations that have relatively large 
concentrations of veterans or are experiencing growth in veteran 
populations. Additionally, this bill would authorize the Secretary to 
make grants to state veterans agencies for state and local outreach 
services. This legislation is supported by the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of 
America, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. It represents 
another step in our effort to fulfill our promises in the GI Bill of 
Rights for the 21st Century.
  It is a important that we act in manner that will help ensure that 
our government sponsors quality programs and provides quality services 
to our veterans. It is also important that we act in a manner that will 
help ensure, to the extent possible, that our veterans are able to take 
full advantage of the programs and services offered by Department of 
Veterans Affairs facilities across the country. To achieve these goals 
we must, among other things, improve the outreach capabilities and 
capacities of the Department of Veterans Affairs while also improving 
its coordination with state, territorial and local authorities. This 
will help greatly in our ongoing efforts to disseminate information 
regarding veterans programs and services and also help improve the 
quality of claims for benefits submitted by our veterans.
  I remain committed to facilitating communication between federal 
authorities, veteran service organizations, and veterans on Guam. We 
have achieved some success in this regard. But more must be done. I am 
routinely informed by federal officials that the quality of claims 
received from Guam veterans, in particular, needs to be improved. 
Efforts to improve and enhance outreach, communication, and information 
sharing between federal and local officials and veterans embodied in 
this bill will help the situation on Guam. But I also want to take this 
opportunity to again urge the veterans service organizations and 
veterans themselves to be vigorous and proactive in seeking out 
information and training on veterans programs and benefit claims 
submissions. Many veterans already are, and in many ways, we are 
witnesses to veterans helping veterans. Continued information sharing 
and collaboration among and within the greater veterans community 
across the country will continue to result in stronger programs and 
services for them.
  This legislation is timely and important. On Guam, indeed across the 
country, our population of veterans grows each month. We have a moral 
obligation to serve, in the best way possible, those who have served to 
protect us and to defend our freedom and liberty. Support for this 
legislation is one way to help fulfill that obligation. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 67.
  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, as a former member of the Air Force 
Reserve, I am pleased to rise in support of this important veterans 
outreach measure. We must continue to ensure that all of our veterans 
are aware of and receive the benefits that they have earned and 
deserve. These grants will help our states connect veterans with the 
many benefits for which they are eligible but may be unaware are 
available to them.
  But it is not just our states' responsibility to conduct this 
outreach, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the House to use the 
privilege of our offices to help veterans obtain needed benefits and 
services. In March, I held a Veterans' Resource Fair in my district. I 
brought 45 service providers together under one roof to help more than 
350 veterans register for benefits, find jobs, and resolve pressing 
case work issues. I will hold another in just a few months time. My 
office stands ready to assist any one of you in conducting a similar 
event for the veterans in your district.
  We must work to support the men and women who made individual 
sacrifices to preserve our freedom not just on Memorial Day, but on all 
days. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, and I hope that we will 
continue to join together to promote and protect meaningful benefits 
for our veterans. I yield back.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased that as Memorial Day approaches, 
this Congress is taking concrete action to help our Nation's veterans.
  This week we passed several pieces of legislation designed to both 
make it easier for veterans to get access to health care and to improve 
the quality of that care for those who are returning home from Iraq or 
Afghanistan.
  Sometimes it's hard for veterans or their family members to be 
certain as to what benefits they qualify for and how to apply for them. 
The Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007 (H.R. 67) seeks to 
address this problem by mandating greater coordination between the 
federal and state governments on the availability of programs to help 
veterans. The bill authorizes $75 million between 2007 and 2009 for 
intensified outreach efforts to veterans and their family members.
  Due to geographical constraints, many veterans who return home will 
not have ready access to a military hospital within an easy driving 
distance of their homes. To help remedy this, Congress is taking action 
on the Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007 
(H.R. 612). This bill extends from 2 years to 5 years the period of 
eligibility for VA health care for veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom 
and Enduring Freedom, regardless of whether or not a veteran has an 
established service-connected condition. As a result, veterans of the 
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will have more time to take advantage of 
VA health care whether or not they're awaiting the processing of a 
disability claim.
  For many veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, access to 
routine medical care will not be enough. A large number of American 
soldiers have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of 
being injured by road-side bombs or snipers. Passage of the Traumatic 
Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007 (H.R. 
2199), of which I am a co-sponsor, will help meet the special needs of 
these veterans.
  This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish:
  A program to screen veterans for traumatic brain injury (TBI);
  A comprehensive program for long-term care of post-acute TBI 
rehabilitation at four

[[Page 13699]]

geographically dispersed polytrauma networks site and to establish TBI 
transition offices at these same sites to help better coordinate the 
delivery of health care and other services to veterans with moderate to 
severe TBI;
  A registry of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who exhibit TBI symptoms;
  Centers for TBI research, education, and clinical activities;
  A committee on the care of veterans with TBI;
  A pilot program for delivering readjustment counseling and mental 
health services through mobile vet centers; and
  An Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans to help develop 
recommendations on how best to meet the needs of veterans living in 
rural areas.
  Veterans with TBI will require special forms of rehabilitative care 
and follow up for the rest of their lives, and this bill will help 
ensure they get the care and services that they've earned.
  Mr. Speaker, as America pauses this Memorial Day to remember those 
who've gone in harms way for the rest of us, Congress can express its 
thanks to America's veterans by passing these bills today.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, 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. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 67, 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. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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