[Congressional Record Index (1998)]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS related term(s) Veterans
  Agreements
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies:
         making appropriations (S. 2168), unanimous consent, S9389
        [30JY]
  Amendments
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies:
         making appropriations (H.R. 4194), H5496 [14JY], H5497 [14JY],
        H5595 [15JY], H5634 [15JY], H5635 [15JY], H5739 [16JY], H5763
        [17JY], H5765 [17JY], H5772 [17JY], H5774 [17JY], H5824 [17JY],
        H5860 [17JY], H6071 [21JY], H6187 [22JY], H6219 [23JY], H6244
        [23JY], H6264 [23JY], H6283 [23JY], H6454 [24JY], H6536 [29JY],
        H6542 [29JY], H6543 [29JY], H6546 [29JY], H6551 [29JY], H6563
        [29JY], H6564 [29JY], H6568 [29JY], H6571 [29JY], H6578 [29JY],
        H6584 [29JY], H6589 [29JY]
    ----- making appropriations (H.R. 4194), consideration (H. Res.
        501), H5650 [16JY]
    ----- making appropriations (S. 2168), S7351 [6JY], S7352 [6JY],
        S7360 [6JY], S7361 [6JY], S7362 [6JY], S7538 [7JY], S7585 [7JY],
        S7605 [7JY], S7683 [8JY], S7899 [9JY], S8331 [16JY], S8332
        [16JY], S8333 [16JY], S8334 [16JY], S8337 [16JY], S8339 [16JY],
        S8340 [16JY], S8352 [16JY], S8353 [16JY], S8361 [16JY], S8366
        [16JY], S8367 [16JY], S8405 [16JY], S8406 [16JY], S8407 [16JY],
        S8408 [16JY], S8411 [16JY], S8431 [17JY]
    Health:  establish certain presumptions of service connection for
        Persian Gulf Conflict veterans (S. 2358), S12044 [8OC]
  Analyses
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Staffing
        Requirements (S. 1746), S1779 [11MR]
    Office of Inspector General Staffing Requirements (S. 1746), S1779
        [11MR]
  Appointments
    Conferees:  H.R. 4194, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and
        sundry independent agencies appropriations, S9389 [30JY]
    ------ S. 2168, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry
        independent agencies appropriations, S8374 [16JY]
  Articles and editorials
    Abraham Lincoln Best Name for National Cemetery Here, H10398 [10OC]
    Amazed at `Arrogance', H10397 [10OC]
    Frank Brown Berry Prize for 1998--Cardiac Surgery, Quality
        Assessment, U.S. Medicine (publication), S11962-S11964 [8OC]
    Hey, LaHood--Lincoln's Name Belongs on National Veterans' Cemetery,
        H10397 [10OC]
    Honor Abe at the National Cemetery, H10397 [10OC]
    LaHood Won't Quit on Cemetery Name, H10398 [10OC]
    Veterans Carry on Campaign for Fort Ord Cemetery, H10395 [10OC]
    Veterans Livid About ``Willful Misconduct'' Tag on Smokers, S5542
        [2JN]
    WW II's Unsung Heroes, E1518 [3AU]
  Bills and resolutions
    Armed Forces:  conversion period for former members from
        Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance policy to a Veterans' Group
        Life Insurance policy, (see H.R. 4115), H5064 [23JN]
    ------ interdepartmental cooperation between the Depts. of Defense
        and Veterans Affairs relative to medical care delivery, (see S.
        2009), S3919 [30AP]
    Board of Veterans' Appeals:  provide flexibility in the appeals
        process, (see S. 1745), S1772 [11MR]
    Capitol Building and Grounds:  authorizing use of Grounds for event
        to announce the donation of vans to the Dept. of Veterans
        Affairs by the DAV, (see S. Con. Res. 102), S5634 [4JN]
    Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic, Columbus, OH:
        designate, (see H.R. 4602, S. 2541), S11339 [2OC], H8083 [18SE]
    Court of Veterans Appeals:  provide for a staggered judicial
        retirement option to avoid large case backlogs and rename to the
        Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, (see H.R. 3212), H495
        [12FE]
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies:
         making appropriations, (see S. 2168), S6295 [12JN], (see H.R.
        4194), H5491 [14JY]
    ----- making appropriations (H.R. 4194), consideration, (see H. Res.
        501), H5592 [15JY]
    ------ making appropriations (H.R. 4194), consideration of
        conference report, (see H. Res. 574), H9536 [5OC]
    Education:  payment of monthly educational assistance benefits to
        veterans enrolled at educational institutions during periods
        between terms, (see H.R. 4537), H7583 [10SE]
    Federal employees:  use of voluntary separation incentives to reduce
        employment levels, (see H.R. 4705), H9722 [6OC]
    Health:  determination of service connection for certain illnesses
        caused by exposure to chemical and biological warfare agents
        during the Persian Gulf Conflict, (see H.R. 3279), H676 [26FE]
    ------ establish a chiropractic services division, (see H.R. 4421),
        H7410 [6AU]
    ------ establish certain presumptions of service connection for
        Persian Gulf Conflict veterans, (see H.R. 4036, S. 2358), S9044
        [27JY], H4548 [11JN]
    ------ extend authority to treat illnesses of Persian Gulf Conflict
        veterans and illnesses due to future combat service, and revise
        research priorities relative to certain service-related health
        consequences, (see H.R. 3980), H4054 [3JN]
    ------ improve access of veterans to emergency medical care in non-
        Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, (see S. 2619),
        S12309 [10OC], (see H.R. 4758), H10352 [9OC]
    ------ reimburse veterans enrolled in the veterans health care
        system for the cost of emergency care or services received in
        non-Dept. facilities, (see H.R. 3702), H2236 [22AP]
    Health care facilities:  authorize medical facility projects and
        leases, (see H.R. 3603), H1853 [31MR]
    Health care professionals:  establish educational assistance
        programs to facilitate employment, (see S. 2115), S5433 [22MY]
    Homeless:  conduct Stand Down events and establish a pilot program
        that will provide for an annual Stand Down event in each State,
        (see H.R. 4362), H6819 [30JY]
    Housing:  increase the amount of assistance for specially adapted
        housing for disabled veterans, (see H.R. 3619), H2051 [1AP]
    Law enforcement:  require notification and allow local law
        enforcement agencies to investigate crimes and search for
        missing patients at VA medical facilities, (see H.R. 4609),
        H8527 [23SE]
    Lawyers and attorneys:  direct payment of attorneys' fees in awards
        of past-due benefits, (see H.R. 3444), H1158 [12MR]
    Malcom Randall Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Gainesville, FL:  designate, (see H.R. 3336, S. 2012), S3919
        [30AP], H850 [4MR]
    Medicare:  reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans
        by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities, (see S. 2054),
        S4558 [8MY]
    Motor vehicles:  increase the amount of assistance for providing
        automobiles to certain disabled veterans, (see H.R. 3618), H2051
        [1AP]
    National cemeteries:  authorize memorialization of certain deceased
        and surviving veterans and their spouses, (see S. 1743), S1772
        [11MR]
    ------ establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Atlanta,
        GA, metropolitan area, (see H.R. 4391), H7177 [4AU]
    ------ establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Atlanta,
        GA, metropolitan area, (see S. 2429), S9782 [1SE]
    National Cemetery System:  redesignate as National Cemetery
        Administration, (see S. 1744), S1772 [11MR]
    ------ redesignate Director as Assistant Sec. for Memorial Affairs,
        (see S. 1744), S1772 [11MR]
    Office of Inspector General:  staffing requirements, (see S. 1746),
        S1772 [11MR]
    Tobacco products:  allocation of substantial tobacco industry
        settlement funds for veterans programs, (see H. Con. Res. 249),
        H1444 [24MR]
    ------ payment of benefits for smoking-related illnesses caused by
        nicotine dependence developed during service, (see H.R. 3948),
        H3970 [22MY], (see H.R. 4070), H4711 [17JN], (see H.R. 4220),
        H5593 [15JY], (see H.R. 4374), H6879 [31JY]
    ------ use portion of any national tobacco settlement to establish
        trust fund for smoking-related illnesses caused by nicotine
        dependence developed during service, (see H.R. 4188), H5404
        [25JN]
    Veterans:  allow certain individuals who provided service to the
        U.S. Armed Forces in the Philippines during World War II to
        receive a reduced SSI benefit after moving back to the
        Philippines, (see H.R. 4716), H10010 [7OC]
    ------ computation of retirement benefits for certain merchant
        mariners who served during World War II, (see H.R. 4574), H7802
        [15SE]
    ------ cost-of-living adjustment for compensation to veterans with
        service-connected disabilities and improvements in education,
        housing, and cemetery programs, (see H.R. 4110), H5063 [23JN]
    ------ cost-of-living adjustment for compensation to veterans with
        service-connected disabilities and improvements in education,
        housing, and cemetery programs (H.R. 4110), Senate amendment,
        (see H. Res. 592), H10513 [10OC]
    ------ determine the amount of certain benefits relative to the
        accrual period prior to death, (see H.R. 4027), H4478 [10JN]
    ------ exclude certain educational benefits from being considered a
        resource in the computation of financial aid, (see S. 2278),
        S7678 [8JY]
    ------ exclude judgment or settlement amounts received from damage
        claims against the Dept. of Veterans Affairs in determining
        annual income, (see H.R. 3515), H1336 [19MR]
    ------ expand list of diseases presumed to be service connected with
        respect to radiation-exposed veterans, (see H.R. 4368), H6879
        [31JY]
    ------ extend priority health care to individuals who served during
        the Persian Gulf Conflict, (see H.R. 3571), H1699 [27MR], (see
        H.R. 3661), H2053 [1AP]
    ------ extend priority health care to those who received
        nasopharyngeal radium irradiation treatments while in the Armed
        Forces, (see S. 1822), S2424 [23MR], (see H.R. 4367), H6879
        [31JY]
    ------ furnishing of burial flags to certain deceased members of the
        Selected Reserve, (see H.R. 3668), H2054 [1AP]
    ------ increase burial and funeral allowance for certain veterans,
        (see H.R. 4708), H9722 [6OC]
    ------ increase service-connected disability benefits for veterans
        and survivors, (see S. 2273), S7678 [8JY]
    ------ make permanent the eligibility of former members of the
        Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans, (see H.R. 4016, S.
        2181), S6487 [17JN], H4324 [9JN]
    ------ payment of certain group life insurance benefits to
        terminally ill individuals, (see S. 2108), S5322 [21MY], (see
        H.R. 3993), H4164 [4JN]
    ------ permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with
        service-connected disability benefits, (see H.R. 3434), H1111
        [11MR]
    ------ presumption of service connection for hepatitis C in certain
        veterans, (see S. 2599), S12164 [9OC], (see H.R. 4751), H10076
        [8OC]
    ------ provide the same level of health care for Filipino World War
        II veterans living in the Philippines as those living in the
        U.S., (see H.R. 4168), H5403 [25JN]
    ------ repeal retired pay computation formula applicable to certain
        veterans, (see H.R. 4696), H9536 [5OC]
    ------ termination of certain contributions to the Survivor Benefit
        Plan, (see H.R. 3107), H63 [27JA]
  Conference reports
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and Sundry Independent Agencies
        Appropriations (H.R. 4194), H9359-H9437 [5OC]
  Excerpts
    Technical corrections to H.R. 2400, Transportation Equity Act for
        the 21st Century (H.R. 3978):  payment of veterans benefits for
        smoking-related illnesses caused by nicotine dependence
        developed during service, S5566 [2JN]
  Histories
    Payment of Veterans Benefits for Smoking-Related Illnesses Caused by
        Nicotine Dependence Developed During Service, H3949 [22MY]
  Letters
    Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery:  Donald Hartenberger, VFW, H3398
        [19MY], H10396 [10OC]
    ------ Donald McCormick, American Ex-Prisoners of War
        (organization), H3398 [19MY]
    ------ Donald McCormick, American-Ex-Prisoners of War
        (organization), H10397 [10OC]
    ------ George M. Isdale, Jr., and Ted Buck, DAV, H3398 [19MY]
    ------ George M. Isdale, Jr., and Ted Buck, DAV, H10396 [10OC]
    ------ Jerry F. Foster, AMVETS, H3398 [19MY], H10397 [10OC]
    ------ Vincent A. Sanzotta, American Legion, H3398 [19MY]
    ------ Vincent A. Sanzotta, American Legion, H10397 [10OC]
    Board of Veterans' Appeals flexibility in the appeals process:
        Hershel W. Gober, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S1778 [11MR]
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs health care programs:  Elizabeth R. Carr,
        Blinded Veterans Association, S6987 [24JN]
    ------ Kelli Willard West, Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., S6987
        [24JN]
    ------ Kenneth C. Huber, Paralyzed Veterans of America
        (organization), S6988 [24JN]
    Homeless Housing Programs Consolidation and Flexibility Act:  Alex
        Penelas, Mayor of Miami, FL, H720 [3MR]
    ------ Alvah H. Chapman, Jr., Community Partnership for Homeless,
        Inc., H720 [3MR]
    ------ Andrew M. Cuomo, Sec. of HUD, H720 [3MR]
    ------ George C. Duggins, Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., H714
        [3MR]
    ------ Julie Sandorf, Corp. for Supportive Housing, H715 [3MR]
    ------ Maria Foscarinis, National Law Center on Homelessness &
        Poverty, H715 [3MR]
    ------ Nan Roman, National Alliance To End Homelessness, Inc., H714
        [3MR]
    ------ Paul S. Grogan, Local Initiatives Support Corp., H715 [3MR]
    ------ several organizations, H714 [3MR]
    Memorialization of certain deceased and surviving veterans and their
        spouses:  Jesse Brown, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S1776 [11MR]
    National Cemetery System redesignation as National Cemetery
        Administration, and Director of the National Cemetery System
        redesignation as Assistant Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Memorial
        Affairs:  Hershel W. Gober, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S1777
        [11MR]
    Office of Inspector General staffing requirements:  Hershel W.
        Gober, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S1779 [11MR]
    Payment of veterans benefits for smoking-related illnesses caused by
        nicotine dependence developed during service:  Anthony G.
        Jordan, American Legion, H3585 [20MY]
    ----- Harry R. McDonald, Jr., DAV, S5543 [2JN], H3586 [20MY]
    ----- Hershel W. Gober, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, H3950 [22MY]
    ----- John E. Moon, VFW, S5543 [2JN], H3586 [20MY]
    ----- Josephus C. Vandengoorbergh, AMVETS, H3586 [20MY]
    ----- Kenneth C. Huber, Paralyzed Veterans of America
        (organization), S5543 [2JN]
    ----- Larry D. Rhea, Non Commissioned Officers Association of the
        U.S., H3586 [20MY]
    ----- Robert E. Coy, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, H3951 [22MY]
    ----- Thomas H. Miller, Blinded Veterans Association, H3586 [20MY]
    ----- Togo D. West, Jr., Sec. of Veterans Affairs, H3950 [22MY],
        H3951 [22MY]
    ----- Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., H3586 [20MY]
    Servicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance Accelerated Death
        Benefits Act:  Togo D. West, Jr., Sec. of Veterans Affairs,
        S5324 [21MY]
    Spinal cord injury programs maintenance within veterans health care
        system:  Kenneth W. Kizer, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S12232
        [9OC]
    ------ Senator Sessions, S12232 [9OC]
    Tax treatment of veterans' education benefits:  Steve A. Robertson,
        American Legion, S7793 [9JY]
    Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation System funding:  Dennis M.
        Cullinan, VFW, H6561 [29JY]
    ------ Kenneth W. Kizer, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, H6561 [29JY]
    ------ Steve A. Robertson, American Legion, H6561 [29JY]
  Lists
    Philippine Scouts Veterans Association of America Guam chapter
        members, E558 [2AP]
  Memorandums
    TEA 21 Restoration Act:  Jack Lew, OMB, S5566 [2JN]
  Motions
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies:
         making appropriations (H.R. 4194), H6277 [23JY], H6590 [29JY]
    ----- making appropriations (S. 2168), S8365 [16JY], S8427 [17JY],
        S8430 [17JY]
    ------ making appropriations (H.R. 4194), H7714 [15SE]
  Newsletters
    Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, E1993 [9OC],
        E2151-E2153 [13OC], E2187-E2189 [15OC], E2244 [20OC]
  Petitions and memorials
    Rhode Island:  compensation of retired military personnel, E1717
        [15SE], E1904 [5OC]
    ------ permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with
        service-connected disability benefits, E1286 [14JY]
  Remarks in House
    Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery:  designate, H3397 [19MY],
        H10395-H10398 [10OC]
    Armed Forces:  conversion period for former members from
        Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance policy to a Veterans' Group
        Life Insurance policy (H.R. 4115), E1554 [5AU]
    Capitol Building and Grounds:  authorizing use of Grounds for event
        to announce the donation of vans to the Dept. of Veterans
        Affairs by the DAV (S. Con. Res. 102), H4485 [11JN]
    Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic, Columbus, OH:
        designate, H10399 [10OC]
    ------ designate (H.R. 4602), E1757 [18SE]
    Dept. of Defense:  medical research account funding, H5226 [24JN]
    Dept. of Justice:  determination of criminal charges against a VA
        Medical Center psychiatrist relative to alleged sexual
        misconduct, H9348 [5OC]
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies:
         making appropriations (H.R. 4194), H5743-H5826 [17JY], H5865
        [20JY], H6219-H6225 [23JY], H6242-H6277 [23JY], H6535-H6592
        [29JY], E1343 [17JY], E1344 [17JY], E1350 [20JY], E1401 [23JY],
        E1437 [24JY], E1450 [27JY], E1466 [30JY], E1469 [30JY], E1483
        [30JY], E1489 [31JY], E1491 [31JY], E1494 [31JY], E1495 [31JY],
        E1496 [31JY], E1497 [31JY], E1505 [31JY]
    ----- making appropriations (H.R. 4194), consideration (H. Res.
        501), H5642-H5651 [16JY]
    ----- making appropriations (H.R. 4194), motion to recommit, H6590
        [29JY], H6591 [29JY]
    ------ making appropriations (H.R. 4194), H9595 [6OC], E2221 [16OC],
        E2241 [20OC] making appropriations (H.R. 4194), conference
        report, H9611-H9625 [6OC], E2000 [9OC] making appropriations
        (H.R. 4194), consideration of conference report (H. Res. 574),
        H9597-H9611 [6OC] making appropriations (H.R. 4194), motion to
        instruct conferees, H7714-H7716 [15SE]
    Health:  determination of service connection for certain illnesses
        caused by exposure to chemical and biological warfare agents
        during the Persian Gulf Conflict (H.R. 3279), H6893 [3AU], E240
        [26FE]
    ------ determination of service connection for certain illnesses
        caused by exposure to chemical and biological warfare agents
        during the Persian Gulf Conflict, E2316 [12NO]
    ------ establish a chiropractic services division (H.R. 4421), E1571
        [7AU]
    ------ establish certain presumptions of service connection for
        Persian Gulf Conflict veterans (H.R. 4036), H4616 [16JN]
    ------ establish certain presumptions of service connection for
        Persian Gulf Conflict veterans, H10389-H10400 [10OC]
    ------ extend authority to treat illnesses of Persian Gulf Conflict
        veterans and illnesses due to future combat service, and revise
        research priorities relative to certain service-related health
        consequences (H.R. 3980), H6891-H6898 [3AU], E1636 [7AU]
    ------ reallocation of certain veteran health care resources
        relative to GAO recommendations, H6259 [23JY], H6262 [23JY],
        H6263 [23JY]
    ------ reimburse veterans enrolled in the veterans health care
        system for the cost of emergency care or services received in
        non-Dept. facilities (H.R. 3702), E614 [22AP]
    Health care facilities:  authorize medical facility projects and
        leases (H.R. 3603), H3395-H3398 [19MY]
    ------ health and safety violations at Veteran's Integrated Services
        Network hospitals, H5770 [17JY], H5771 [17JY]
    ------ veterans extended care facilities construction funding
        through offsets in NASA's space station program, H6564 [29JY],
        H6565 [29JY] veterans extended care facilities construction
        funding through offsets in the Dept. of HUD Housing
        Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Program, H6563-H6568 [29JY],
        E1491 [31JY]
    Homeless:  conduct Stand Down events and establish a pilot program
        that will provide for an annual Stand Down event in each State
        (H.R. 4362), E1480 [30JY]
    Housing:  guarantee loans to provide multifamily transitional
        housing for homeless veterans (H.R. 3039), H1399 [24MR],
        H3392-H3395 [19MY], H3461 [19MY], H3596 [20MY]
    ------ increase the amount of assistance for specially adapted
        housing for disabled veterans (H.R. 3619), E538 [1AP]
    Law enforcement:  require notification and allow local law
        enforcement agencies to investigate crimes and search for
        missing patients at VA medical facilities (H.R. 4609), E1780
        [23SE]
    Malcom Randall Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Gainesville, FL:  designate (H.R. 3336), H6897 [3AU]
    McGinnis, Winston (Mac):  AMVETS AMVET of the Year Award recipient,
        E2254 [20OC]
    Medicare:  reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans
        by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (H.R. 1362),
        E2071 [11OC]
    Motor vehicles:  increase the amount of assistance for providing
        automobiles to certain disabled veterans (H.R. 3618), E542 [1AP]
    National Archives and Records Administration:  National Personnel
        Records Center funding for modernization of veterans records
        management system, H5672 [16JY]
    National cemeteries:  establish a national cemetery for veterans in
        the Atlanta, GA, metropolitan area (H.R. 4391), E1538 [4AU]
    Sioux City, IA:  Dept. of Veterans Affairs community-based
        outpatient clinic funding, H5757 [17JY]
    Tobacco products:  payment of benefits for smoking-related illnesses
        caused by nicotine dependence developed during service,
        H3585-H3591 [20MY], H3716 [21MY], H3720 [21MY], H3721 [21MY],
        H3944 [22MY], H3947 [22MY], H3949-H3954 [22MY], H5764 [17JY],
        H5765 [17JY]
    ----- payment of benefits for smoking-related illnesses caused by
        nicotine dependence developed during service (H.R. 3948), H3758
        [22MY]
    ------ provide for a substantial allocation of funds received from a
        tobacco industry settlement (H. Con. Res. 249), E459 [24MR]
    ------ use portion of any national tobacco settlement to establish
        trust fund for smoking-related illnesses caused by nicotine
        dependence developed during service (H.R. 4188), H4966 [23JN]
    Veterans:  allow certain individuals who provided service to the
        U.S. Armed Forces in the Philippines during World War II to
        receive a reduced SSI benefit after moving back to the
        Philippines (H.R. 4716), E1932 [7OC]
    ------ benefit eligibility for certain service in the military
        forces of the Philippines (H.R. 836), H4274 [9JN], H4275 [9JN],
        H4276 [9JN], H4279 [9JN], H5411 [14JY], H5862 [20JY], E395
        [17MR], E557 [2AP], E1088 [10JN]
    ------ cost-of-living adjustment for compensation to veterans with
        service-connected disabilities and improvements in education,
        housing, and cemetery programs (H.R. 4110), H6885-H6891 [3AU]
    ------ cost-of-living adjustment for compensation to veterans with
        service-connected disabilities and improvements in education,
        housing, and cemetery programs, H11656 [20OC] cost-of-living
        adjustment for compensation to veterans with service-connected
        disabilities and improvements in education, housing, and
        cemetery programs (H.R. 4110), E2166 [14OC] cost-of-living
        adjustment for compensation to veterans with service-connected
        disabilities and improvements in education, housing, and
        cemetery programs (H.R. 4110), Senate amendment (H. Res. 592),
        H10374-H10400 [10OC]
    ------ determination of active military service for certain merchant
        mariners who served during World War II (H.R. 1126), H7019
        [4AU], E969 [22MY], E1517 [3AU]
    ------ expand list of diseases presumed to be service connected with
        respect to radiation-exposed veterans (H.R. 4368), E1510 [31JY]
    ------ expand list of diseases presumed to be service connected with
        respect to radiation-exposed veterans (H.R. 4368), E2208 [15OC]
    ------ extend priority health care to individuals who served during
        the Persian Gulf Conflict (H.R. 3571), H6893 [3AU], E504 [27MR]
    ------ extend priority health care to those who received
        nasopharyngeal radium irradiation treatments while in the Armed
        Forces (H.R. 4367), E1502 [31JY]
    ------ health care funding, E1483 [30JY]
    ------ improve programs providing counseling and treatment for
        sexual trauma, E1350 [20JY]
    ------ permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with
        service-connected disability benefits (H.R. 3434), E364 [12MR],
        E1286 [14JY]
    ------ recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity disorders caused
        by exposure to chemical and biological warfare agents during the
        Persian Gulf Conflict, E1992 [9OC], E2151 [13OC], E2187 [15OC],
        E2244 [20OC]
    ------ State Cemetery Grants Program expansion, H10395 [10OC]
    ------ treatment of education benefits, H2527 [29AP]
    Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation System:  funding, H6551-H6563
        [29JY], H9620 [6OC], E1489 [31JY]
    Veterans Health Administration:  medical care funding through
        offsets in FHA funding, H6546-H6551 [29JY]
    ----- medical care funding through offsets in equipment, land, and
        structures funding, H6542 [29JY], H6543 [29JY]
    ------ medical care funding through offsets in FHA funding,
        H7714-H7716 [15SE]
  Remarks in Senate
    Abegglen, Penny:  Dept. of Veterans Affairs Excellence in Nursing
        Award recipient, S4132 [1MY]
    Armed Forces:  establish an independent entity to evaluate post-
        conflict illnesses among members, S6993 [24JN]
    ------ interdepartmental cooperation between the Depts. of Defense
        and Veterans Affairs relative to medical care delivery (S.
        2009), S3919-S3921 [30AP], S4550-S4552 [7MY]
    ------ present U.S. flags to retiring members, S6851 [23JN]
    Board of Veterans' Appeals:  provide flexibility in the appeals
        process (S. 1745), S1778 [11MR]
    Capitol Building and Grounds:  authorizing use of Grounds for event
        to announce the donation of vans to the Dept. of Veterans
        Affairs by the DAV (S. Con. Res. 102), S5662 [4JN]
    Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic, Columbus, OH:
        designate (S. 2541), S11358 [2OC]
    Dept. of Defense:  increase funding for research on illnesses
        suffered by veterans who served in the Persian Gulf Conflict,
        S7135 [25JN], S9381 [30JY]
    ------ transfer of funds to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs for
        veterans' health care programs, S6987-S6991 [24JN], S7046
        [25JN], S7047 [25JN], S9278 [29JY], S9402 [30JY]
    ------ VA Health-Related Research Cooperative Research Program
        funding, S7136 [25JN]
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies:
         making appropriations (H.R. 4194), insert S. 2168 language in
        lieu, S9389 [30JY]
    ----- making appropriations (S. 2168), S7344-S7348 [6JY],
        S7351-S7354 [6JY], S7538-S7564 [7JY], S7573 [7JY], S8330-S8374
        [16JY], S8425-S8447 [17JY], S8515 [17JY], S8548 [20JY]
    ----- making appropriations (S. 2168), unanimous-consent agreement,
        S7341 [6JY], S7548 [7JY], S8374 [16JY]
    ------ making appropriations (H.R. 4194), conference report, S11358
        [2OC], S11833-S11847 [8OC] making appropriations (H.R. 4194),
        conference report--unanimous-consent agreement, S11642 [6OC]
    Diseases:  prostate cancer research programs funding, S8442 [17JY]
    Health:  determination of service connection for certain illnesses
        caused by exposure to chemical and biological warfare agents
        during the Persian Gulf Conflict (S. 1320), S5468 [22MY]
    ------ establish certain presumptions of service connection for
        Persian Gulf Conflict veterans (S. 2358), S9045-S9051 [27JY]
    ------ establish certain presumptions of service connection for
        Persian Gulf Conflict veterans, S12832 [21OC] establish certain
        presumptions of service connection for Persian Gulf Conflict
        veterans (S. 2358), S9730 [1SE], S12044 [8OC]
    ------ improve access of veterans to emergency medical care in non-
        Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities (S. 2619), S12314
        [10OC]
    ------ maintenance of spinal cord injury programs within veterans
        health care system, S12231 [9OC]
    Health care facilities:  improve veterans' access to health care
        facilities by minimizing distances to facilities, S8367 [16JY]
    Health care professionals:  establish educational assistance
        programs to facilitate employment, S8333 [16JY]
    ----- establish educational assistance programs to facilitate
        employment (S. 2115), S5441-S5445 [22MY]
    ------ provide cost-of-living or locality pay increase to certain VA
        hospital nurses, S8444 [17JY], S8445 [17JY]
    Homeless:  require federally funded homeless shelters to provide
        information on availability of veterans benefits, S8332 [16JY],
        S8333 [16JY]
    Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program:  funding, S8331
        [16JY], S8332 [16JY]
    Khuri, Shukri F.:  Frank Brown Berry Prize in Federal Medicine award
        recipient, S11962 [8OC]
    Kizer, Kenneth W.:  tribute to VA health care system reorganization,
        S12231 [9OC]
    Malcom Randall Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Gainesville, FL:  designate (S. 2012), S3929 [30AP], S3930
        [30AP]
    Medicare:  reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans
        by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (S. 2054), S4558
        [8MY], S4559 [8MY], S4742 [12MY]
    Morgantown, WV:  Morgantown Vet Center named Dept. of Veterans
        Affairs Vet Center Excellence, S12227 [9OC]
    National cemeteries:  authorize memorialization of certain deceased
        and surviving veterans and their spouses (S. 1743), S1776 [11MR]
    ------ establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Atlanta,
        GA, metropolitan area (S. 2429), S9782 [1SE], S9783 [1SE]
    National Cemetery System:  redesignate as National Cemetery
        Administration (S. 1744), S1777 [11MR]
    ------ redesignate Director as Assistant Sec. for Memorial Affairs
        (S. 1744), S1777 [11MR]
    National Center for the Study of Military Health:  assess
        feasibility of establishment, S6776 [22JN]
    New England:  health care system financial constraints, S11837
        [8OC], S11838 [8OC]
    Office of Inspector General:  staffing requirements (S. 1746), S1779
        [11MR]
    Oklahoma:  national veterans cemetery funding, S8370 [16JY]
    Presidential appointments:  nominations considered and confirmed en
        bloc, S12962 [21OC]
    Tobacco products:  payment of benefits for smoking-related illnesses
        caused by nicotine dependence developed during service, S5360
        [22MY], S5367 [22MY], S5417 [22MY], S5468 [22MY], S5533 [2JN],
        S5541-S5546 [2JN], S5565 [2JN], S5688-S5690 [5JN], S6854-S6857
        [23JN], S7562 [7JY], S7649 [8JY], S7654-S7656 [8JY], S7670-S7675
        [8JY], S8150 [14JY], S8334-S8337 [16JY], S8425 [17JY],
        S8428-S8442 [2AP], S3078 [2AP], S3079 [2AP]
    Veterans:  cost-of-living adjustment for compensation to veterans
        with service-connected disabilities and improvements in
        education, housing, and cemetery programs (H.R. 4110),
        S12918-S12936 [21OC]
    ------ exclude certain educational benefits from being considered a
        resource in the computation of financial aid (S. 2278), S7681
        [8JY]
    ------ extend priority health care to those who received
        nasopharyngeal radium irradiation treatments while in the Armed
        Forces (S. 1822), S2431-S2433 [23MR], S5468 [22MY]
    ------ health care funding, S3082 [2AP], S5468 [22MY]
    ------ increase service-connected disability benefits for veterans
        and survivors (S. 2273), S7679 [8JY]
    ------ increase service-connected disability benefits for veterans
        and survivors (S. 2273), S11196 [30SE]
    ------ make permanent the eligibility of former members of the
        Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans (S. 2181), S6488
        [17JN]
    ------ payment of certain group life insurance benefits to
        terminally ill individuals (S. 2108), S5324 [21MY]
    ------ presumption of service connection for hepatitis C in certain
        veterans (S. 2599), S12167 [9OC]
    ------ treatment of education benefits, S7791-S7794 [9JY], S7846
        [9JY]
    West, Togo B., Jr.:  nomination to be Sec. of Veterans Affairs,
        S3736 [28AP], S3737 [28AP]
    White River Junction, VT:  Dept. of Veterans Affairs Hospital and
        Regional Office Center anniversary, S12593 [14OC]
  Reports filed
    Consideration of Conference Report on H.R. 4194, Depts. of Veterans
        Affairs and HUD, and Sundry Independent Agencies Appropriations:
         Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 574) (H. Rept. 105-777),
        H9536 [5OC]
    Consideration of H.R. 4194, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and
        Sundry Independent Agencies Appropriations:  Committee on Rules
        (House) (H. Res. 501) (H. Rept. 105-628), H5592 [15JY]
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Projects and Leases
        Authorization:  Committee on Veterans Affairs (House) (H.R.
        3603) (H. Rept. 105-490), H2236 [22AP]
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and Sundry Independent Agencies
        Appropriations:  Committee on Appropriations (House) (H.R. 4194)
        (H. Rept. 105-610), H5491 [14JY]
    ----- Committee on Appropriations (Senate) (S. 2168) (S. Rept. 105-
        216), S6295 [12JN]
    ------ Committee of Conference (H.R. 4194) (H. Rept. 105-769), H9536
        [5OC]
    Guarantee Dept. of Veterans Affairs Loans To Provide Multifamily
        Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans:  Committee on
        Veterans Affairs (House) (H.R. 3039) (H. Rept. 105-447), H1235
        [17MR]
    Justice for Atomic Veterans Act:  Committee on Veterans Affairs
        (Senate) (S. 1385) (S. Rept. 105-343), S10722 [22SE]
    Nomination of Edward A. Powell, Jr., To Be Assistant Sec. of
        Veterans Affairs for Management:  Committee on Veterans Affairs
        (Senate), S11582 [6OC]
    Nomination of Eligah D. Clark To Be Chairman of the Board of
        Veterans Appeals:  Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate),
        S11582 [6OC]
    Nomination of Leigh A. Bradley To Be General Counsel of the Dept. of
        Veterans Affairs:  Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate),
        S11582 [6OC]
    Nomination of Togo D. West, Jr., To Be Sec. of Veterans Affairs:
        Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), S3428 [22AP]
    Persian Gulf War Veterans Act:  Committee on Veterans Affairs
        (Senate) (S. 2358) (S. Rept. 105-362), S11339 [2OC]
    Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Care and Research Act:  Committee
        on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 3980) (H. Rept. 105-626),
        H5592 [15JY]
    Priority Health Care to Veterans Who Received Nasopharyngeal Radium
        Irradiation Treatments While in the Armed Forces:  Committee on
        Veterans Affairs (Senate) (S. 1822) (S. Rept. 105-344), S10722
        [22SE]
    Veterans Benefits Improvement Act:  Committee on Veterans' Affairs
        (House) (H.R. 4110) (H. Rept. 105-627), H5592 [15JY]
    Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act:  Committee on
        Veterans Affairs (Senate) (S. 2273) (S. Rept. 105-341), S10657
        [21SE]
  Rulings of the Chair
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies:
         making appropriations (H.R. 4194), H5773 [17JY], H6542 [29JY],
        H6570 [29JY]
  Statements
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs Payment of Benefits for Smoking-Related
        Illnesses Caused by Nicotine Dependence Developed During
        Service:  Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., H5765 [17JY]
    Veterans Health Care:  David Hay, E1526 [3AU]
  Summaries
    Veterans Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 4110), H10391-H10393 [10OC]
  Tables
    Analysis of veterans' student aid requests, S7792 [9JY]
    Committee on the Budget (Senate) scoring of H.R. 4194, Depts. of
        Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies
        appropriations, S11839 [8OC]
    Committee on the Budget (Senate) scoring of S. 2168, Depts. of
        Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies
        appropriations, S8372 [16JY]
    Comparison of S. 2358, Persian Gulf War Veterans Act and the House-
        Senate compromise of H.R. 4110, Veterans Benefits Improvement
        Act, H11657 [20OC]
    Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies
        appropriations (H.R. 4194), H5745-H5749 [17JY]
  Texts of
    H. Res. 501, consideration of H.R. 4194, Depts. of Veterans Affairs
        and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, H5642
        [16JY]
    H. Res. 574, consideration of conference report on H.R. 4194, Depts.
        of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies
        appropriations, H9597 [6OC]
    H. Res. 592, Senate amendment to H.R. 4110, Veterans Benefits
        Improvement Act, H10374-H10389 [10OC]
    H.R. 3039, Veterans Transitional Housing Opportunities Act, H3392
        [19MY]
    H.R. 3603, Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facility projects and
        leases authorization, H3395 [19MY]
    H.R. 3980, Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Care and Research Act,
        H6891-H6893 [3AU]
    H.R. 4110, Veterans Programs Enhancement Act, S12919-S12932 [21OC]
    H.R. 4716, allow certain individuals who provided service to the
        U.S. Armed Forces in the Philippines during World War II to
        receive a reduced SSI benefit after moving back to the
        Philippines, E1932 [7OC]
    S. 1743, memorialization of certain deceased and surviving veterans
        and their spouses, S1776 [11MR]
    S. 1744, National Cemetery System redesignation as National Cemetery
        Administration, and Director of the National Cemetery System
        redesignation as Assistant Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Memorial
        Affairs, S1777 [11MR]
    S. 1745, Board of Veterans' Appeals flexibility in the appeals
        process, S1778 [11MR]
    S. 1746, Office of Inspector General staffing requirements, S1779
        [11MR]
    S. 1822, extend priority health care for veterans who received
        nasopharyngeal radium irradiation treatments while in the Armed
        Forces, S2432 [23MR]
    S. 2009, interdepartmental cooperation between the Depts. of Defense
        and Veterans Affairs relative to medical care delivery, S3921
        [30AP]
    S. 2108, Servicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance
        Accelerated Death Benefits Act, S5324 [21MY]
    S. 2115, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Primary Care Providers Incentive
        Act, S5442-S5444 [22MY]
    S. 2168, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent
        agencies appropriations, S8579-S8594 [20JY]
    S. 2181, make permanent the eligibility of former members of the
        Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans, S6488 [17JN]
    S. 2273, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, S7679
        [8JY], S11196 [30SE]
    S. 2278, Veterans' Educational Benefits Protection Act, S7682 [8JY]
    S. 2358, Persian Gulf War Veterans Act, S9047-S9051 [27JY],
        S12048-S12051 [8OC]
    S. 2429, establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Atlanta,
        GA, metropolitan area, S9783 [1SE]
    S. 2619, Veterans' Access to Emergency Care Act, S12315 [10OC]
    S. Con. Res. 102, use of Capitol Grounds for event to announce the
        donation of vans to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs by the DAV,
        S5640 [4JN], S5662 [4JN], H4485 [11JN]