Steve Buyer

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I want to thank the gentleman from Texas. It is a pleasure to have worked with you. We are colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and I appreciate your service over the years. But you and I haven't had a chance specifically to work on a bill. And I have enjoyed my associations with you. And the cause is right. The spirit of the country is right. They want us to set the standards of dignity, and you recognized that early on and championed this cause in a bipartisan fashion. And it says a lot about who you are. I think it is because you know who you are, and that makes this is a pretty easy process. For that I want to thank the gentleman.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, Jack C. Montgomery, a Cherokee from Oklahoma, was one of five Native Americans who were awarded the highest military honor in the 20th century, the Medal of Honor, and a first lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division, the Thunderbirds. On February 22, 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery's rifle platoon was under fire by three echelons of enemy forces when he single-handedly attacked all three positions, taking prisoners in the process. As a result of his valor, Lieutenant Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy and inspired his men to defeat the enemy forces. In addition to being awarded the Medal of Honor, Lieutenant Montgomery was also awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. On his release from the Army after World War II, Mr. Montgomery began a career with the Veterans Administration in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he remained in service for most of his life. It is appropriate that we name the VA Medical Center in Muskogee for this American hero who not only served his country in wartime, but also continued his service to this Nation through his work in the Veterans Administration. Mr. Montgomery is survived by his wife, Joyce; and it is our hope to have this legislation passed by the Senate and signed by the President in a timely manner. This legislation is cosponsored and supported by the entire Oklahoma delegation and also has the support of the State's major veterans service organizations. Mr. Speaker, I particularly would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Boren, who represents the Second Congressional District of Oklahoma, for introducing this most appropriate legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Chairman, this budget with regard to the funding of VA is derived from what I call the crucible of hard lessons. I chose to leave the Veterans' Affairs Committee to examine the budget modeling issues for the VA. A budget shortfall was exposed last summer. VA Secretary Nicholson and OMB, to their credit, stepped up to the plate, taking accountability for a flawed budgetary process. Their improved use of timely data, methodology, and balanced policy expectations are reflected in the President's budget request for the VA. The budget before us today reflects our priorities: To care for veterans who need us most, those hurt and disabled by their military service, those with special needs and the indigent; to ensure a seamless transition from military to civilian life, and to provide veterans with economic opportunity to live full and complete lives. The veterans spending has increased from $48 billion in 2001 to approximately $70 billion this year. At a time of tough budget choices, when in most Federal spending we see few, if any, increases, veterans spending will rise next year by 12 percent. With the Nation at war, this is altogether fitting. We have heard the rhetoric that describes an increase as a cut, but truly this budget continues a decade-long record of leadership under this majority. I refer here to the chart that shows the historic increases, from the $17.6 billion in 1995 to now $33.8 billion for discretionary spending alone. This is a far cry from the flat-lined budgets that we were receiving during the Clinton years. We have increased the access to quality care, with more than a million veterans using the VA than they did 5 years ago. But challenges remain. The VA must decrease its claims backlog with regard to benefits claims, which exceeds around 800,000. Centralizing the VA's information technology structure is very important. You can't just measure compassion by the dollar. It is how we look at the operations of government. And centralizing the VA's information technology could save an estimated $1.2 billion over 5 years, according to testimony by Gartner, the consultant. Also, to achieve a seamless transition to our new veterans in the VA, VA and DOD must fully share in the electronic medical records. This is extremely important and there is good progress in this area. I want to continue to work with the chairman of the Budget Committee on issues of modernizing the GI bill, which we have discussed, and also the issue with regard to the estimate that the administration used with regard to collections. It is an issue I will work with the chairman on as we go to conference with the Senate and, hopefully, we can get that worked out. I want to applaud the chairman's efforts on behalf of America's veterans. This is a good budget.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank both of my colleagues for the remarks that they have made, and share with them I wish they had an opportunity to meet this man, a remarkable human being, who was very humble, like many of his generation. Mac Lawrence, if you were to ask Mac what was it like when you hit the beach at Omaha, and the only thing to protect you was the Red Cross on your sleeve, because he had no weapon and his only concern was to take care of his comrades, and there were many to take care of on that day. When I asked Mac, Tell me, what was it like? I asked him that question because I was asked to give the radio address to the Nation on the 50th anniversary of Normandy, so I wanted to talk to some soldiers that actually had been on the beach that day and fought at Normandy. As he described that day to me, he wept. He said, Steve, I am one of the lucky ones. Many of the survivors of that battle, that is how they considered themselves, very lucky and very fortunate. Mac came from humble beginnings in rural Indiana. He was morally centered. He was steeped in values, and received a pretty strong heritage from those who had come before him. Some say that the measure of a man is the depth of the footprint that he leaves behind. I would say that Mac Lawrence left a deep footprint in the community of Francesville, not only as a war hero, but also as a community leader and as a teacher. When you think of someone who just came out of the experience of freeing Europe from tyranny, he returns home, and what does he do, he wants to give back to his community and to serve his community in other manners. That is exactly what he did. So yes, he was admired by his students; but he was also a very strict disciplinarian. One thing that his students remember is that principles mattered to this man. When I think about Mac, this is an individual of ordinary beginnings who, like many of his generation, were called upon to do extraordinary acts. They make the extraordinary very common. This is a remarkable individual. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Chocola. Francesville is in Mr. Chocola's congressional district, and I want to thank him for joining me in this legislation. I appreciate Senator Lugar also taking up this cause in the United States Senate. Here in the House, we do this often, to name a post office on behalf of someone who makes a difference and can be exemplary as a leader, so when some young lady or young man or boy visit the post office might say, who was Mac Lawrence, and we have an opportunity to then describe who Mac Lawrence is and to set the principles for them on how to lead their life. That is what Mac did for those who knew him in Francesville, Indiana. I thank both gentlemen for bringing this bill to the floor and ask Members to support it. Special thanks to the chairman, Tom Davis, and the ranking member, Henry Waxman, for reporting this legislation from the Government Reform Committee by unanimous consent on the first of February. Congressman Chocola and I introduced H.R. 4346 in November of last year to honor Malcolm Lawrence with the naming of a post office in Francesville, IN. Today we consider S. 2064, companion legislation to our bill, which was introduced in the Senate by Senator Richard Lugar. Like many Post Office naming bills, we have the opportunity to honor a local hero by placing his name on an important community meeting place. Mac left an impression on not only his own community but on a country. Some say the measure of a man is the depth of the footprint he leaves behind. Malcolm Melville Lawrence, known as ``Mac,'' left a deep footprint on the community of Francesville as a war hero, community leader, and a teacher. Born on a farm in Wheatfield, IN, Mac attended Purdue University on scholarship where he pursued a degree in Vocational Agriculture, Education, and Science. Despite being denied acceptance into the ROTC program at Purdue, Mac was drafted 5 months after graduating from college and immediately called to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis to serve his country. It may be insufficient to say Mac simply did his duty. He landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, with so many other young men from the greatest generation, with nothing to protect him but the red cross on his sleeve. He worked tirelessly to save the lives of his comrades at great risk to his own life. Mac served as a medic alongside the 1st Battalion, 18th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division and was awarded the Silver Star for valor, two Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars during five campaigns in World War II. After the war, Mac and his wife Phyllis moved to Francesville, IN, where he began teaching at Francesville High School in 1946. Mac was beloved by his students for his patience, remembered for his discipline and dedication to his craft, teaching everything from vocational agriculture to industrial arts. He finished as an administrator after more than 30 years in education. Mac was the kind of person every community needs. Whether it was his service to his country or community, Mac asked nothing in return. He served on the library board, was active in Future Farmers of America, and participated in 4-H for 25 years. He was an exemplary citizen of the Francesville community and deserves this honor bestowed to him. Though he left this world on July 8, 2004, his legacy lives on. I welcome the opportunity to further honor Mac Lawrence with the naming of the Francesville Post Office, the Malcolm Melville ``Mac'' Lawrence Post Office. Leading by quiet example while he was living, Mac deserves resounding recognition after death. I strongly urge the adoption of this legislation.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the March 6 Supreme Court Decision in favor of the Solomon Amendment. This decision brings resolution to a period of time in which students seeking military careers have been denied equal access to their career of choice due to the political climates and cultures of the institutions in which they receive their education. My commendation goes to the United States Supreme Court's prudent action in siding with Congress to uphold this vital legislation. Even in this time of great sacrifice when our men and women in uniform are engaged in defeating the forces of tyranny and terror, some have neither masked nor disguised their loathing of the American military. A blatant disregard and violation of the basic principles of free speech and right to association has been demonstrated by these institutions. I feel it pertinent to add that Congress never asked for anything other than equal access for military recruiters. We simply ask the same access as that given to any other employer. It has been argued that the less fortunate carry the burden of military service. This decision of the Supreme Court in fact levels the playing field. It guarantees students at higher educational institutions have equal access to military service for our great nation. This decision could not have come at a more important time. Today's cultural tone places so much emphasis on receiving benefits rather than on service to our country. A lack of military recruiters on campus would only continue to erode the consciousness of the people about the pride of military service and our obligation in defense of America. I would be remiss not to mention that such access to military recruiters is a cornerstone of our successful all-volunteer force. Colleagues, our Constitutional obligation was clearly laid out. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution states, ``that Congress shall have the power to . . . raise and support Armies, . . . to provide and maintain a Navy, . . . and to provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the Militia.'' I once again commend the Supreme Court in helping us uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House to address a national virtue, to address the proper tone and tenor of a Nation. It is outrageous, appalling and indecent for an American citizen to commit crimes and perversions against a family grieving at the loss of their son. Army Sergeant Rickey Jones, along with three of his comrades, was killed in Baghdad. With his body in transport to Kokomo, Indiana, someone has egged his family's home and left harassing phone calls that said, ``I'm glad your son is dead.'' My colleagues, a great virtue of the American character is our compassion. It is how we care for each other in good times and in difficult times. It is our compassion and human decency that represent the very best of our Nation. So to condemn these despicable acts, I ask all of you to rise and join me in a moment of silence to extend to all families who have sacrificed in the name of freedom. Thank you and Godspeed. Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, for 230 years, soldier citizens of the United States Army have answered the call to duty as guardians and defenders of America's Freedoms. Millions of these United States Army veterans selflessly served this nation. Their legacy of duty lives and grows ever more glorious in their continuing support of the United States Army mission and their service to country. The United States Army recognizes and appreciates the sacrifices these courageous men and women have made in answering their nation's call to duty by choosing a life of service and fidelity to the values of their service. The people of the United States of America also recognize that they have incurred a great debt of gratitude to their soldier citizens, and to their spouses and families who support them as they serve us in the defense of freedom. America owes thanks to the employers who support the soldier citizens among their workforce, and to the veterans who stand by those who now wear the uniform. General Peter J. Schoomaker, the Army's Chief of Staff, has said, ``Soldiers and their families demonstrate the value of teamwork at home and in the field, ensuring that our Army is truly an Army of One.'' The United States Army has created a program called Freedom Team Salute to recognize the essential contribution of these supportive spouses, families, employers, and veterans. Any soldier may nominate a spouse, family member, or employer for Freedom Team Salute recognition. This recognition includes a special Army lapel pin and decal, and a letter and certificate from the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Army. Veterans of Army service may also register for Freedom Team Salute recognition at the program's website: www.freedomteamsalute.army.mil. I commend General Schoomaker and Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey for their leadership of our Army and for the Freedom Team Salute program. I ask all Americans to continue their support of our men and women in uniform as they defend freedom, and I commend to them the use of this excellent program as means of expressing their own gratitude.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I have great respect for Mr. Murtha and Mr. Hunter. And I am uncomfortable when Mr. Murtha talks about one political party rallying round something. I do not want Republicans or Democrats rallying around anything. You moved me when I was in my office and you talked about going to Arlington. All of us have been there; all of us have been to our Nation's cemeteries and seen the white crosses and Stars of David. The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown) and I were privileged to represent our country this past May, and I am sure Mr. Murtha has been there, standing on the cliffs of Normandy at Omaha. We gave the Memorial Day address representing our Nation. I was there with my 20- year-old son, and I could feel the envy of souls because I thought about what their last thoughts may have been. And then as I strained among these thousands of graves, if I permitted the eyes of my mind to have a vision I could actually see, if I permitted the ears of my heart to listen, I could hear. And what did they say? They said, What we did on this day was worthy. You see, they came to a continent to free it from tyranny on that day. They came to a land where they had never been to fight for a people they had never met. Does that not yet sound familiar? And we speak of the sacrifice of what we refer to as the greatest generation. How are we now yet defining ourselves when our men and women are faced with something very similar. We should be here tonight talking of our strategy of victory, defined by our perseverance to an enduring freedom throughout the world. To discuss withdrawal from Iraq tonight before our mission is complete is the wrong strategy at the wrong time. Why? Because freedom is on the move. We, the people of the United States, we are a great Nation with a great vision. We seek to preserve the blessings of liberty for our citizens and for all those around the world who recognize the God-given right of freedom. Today our Nation is truly engaged in an epic struggle for freedom in Iraq. Whether you believe how we got there is true, the struggle among us is evident here tonight. What we do not want is what Mr. Hyde referred to as our enemies to take advantage of our weaknesses. The painful lessons, whether it was Vietnam or Lebanon or Somalia, North Korea, Iran, al Qaeda, they watch, and it is part of what they want to do to envelope our weakness. You see, Clausewitz had it right. He said, The use of our military force is the instrumentality of a political decision. We then expect our military to act on the field of battle with great valor, courage and commitment. You see, they are an extension of us. And in return, our soldiers ask what of us? Loyalty. And they expect us to have the very same resolve that we expect of them; that in battle, they look at us and say, when it gets hard, when it gets tough, can you hang with us, Congress? That is a very pertinent question for a soldier to ask of us. So I respect Mr. Murtha, but this is the wrong time for your resolution, sir. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Murtha, I apologize to you. I know you have a resolution. That is what I was referring to. I recognize we are debating Hunter, and I apologize to you, Mr. Murtha.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, the completion of the Hoosier Heartland Corridor gets another step closer today with the House passage of the FY 2006 Transportation Appropriations conference report. For over thirteen years, I have worked with many others in a bipartisan effort across north-central Indiana as this project has developed from a design plan, to the first groundbreaking, to this latest step in bringing efficiency and safety to North Central Indiana. I commend Congressman Chris Chocola who has provided leadership in the completion of this project and commend the $1.3 million he secured for the Cass County-Carroll County segment. Included in this bill is a $1.5 million designation for the Hoosier Heartland's most dangerous segment yet to be completed between Lafayette and Delphi. This project continues to be a priority for me and many other community leaders and elected officials along the route. Also included in this conference report is $750,000 to continue the Lafayette Bus Replacement plan that I have worked on the past several years with CityBus's Marty Sennett and State Senator Brandt Hershman. Earlier this year the, Transportation Authorization bill included $500,000 for FY 2006 and this appropriation places us on schedule to meet $2.5 million by FY 2009. Finally, Johnson County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state and significant traffic congestion exists and will only get worse. To assist in local efforts to keep traffic moving and doing so safely, $1 million is included in the conference report to help ease this congestion through a feasibility study for the proposed East/West Corridor. These investments in Indiana's infrastructure will improve safety and efficiency and create opportunity for Hoosiers.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Nevada for yielding. Mr. Speaker, S. 1234 is the Veterans' Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2005. It is one of the more important pieces of legislation that the Veterans Committee brings to the floor each year. Similar language was included in H.R. 1220, which passed the House on July 13, 2005, by voice vote. Briefly, S. 1234 would authorize a 4.1 percent cost-of-living increase effective December 1, 2005, for veterans with service- connected disabilities and their survivors. The Committee on Veterans' Affairs concurs with the language in S. 1234, and I ask my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank Ranking Member Evans for his work and cooperation on this legislation. I would also commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for their work to ensure that disabled veterans and their survivors receive a cost-of-living increase, as well as the subcommittee staff on both sides of the aisle: Paige McManus, Chris McNamee, and Mary Ellen McCarthy. I also want to thank my colleagues in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I hope that all Members will support this bill. General Leave

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 1234.

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the Senate bill (S. 1234) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2005, the rates of compensation for veterans with service- connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to take a moment and thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) and thank him for working with me and his staff. I also failed to mention the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle), the chairman of the Budget Committee, and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), who worked cooperatively together to make sure that the budget had a place holder so we could have this. This came in a little higher than what we anticipated, and I want to thank the chairman of the Budget Committee. He has got a tough job in laying out the budget and sending the numbers to everyone, and he did yeoman's work. I am really proud of Chairman Nussle and Mr. Spratt. I would also like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), the chairman of the appropriations subcommittee and also the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, some say the measure of a man is the depth of the footprint he leaves behind. Malcolm Melville Lawrence, known as ``Mac,'' left a deep footprint on the community of Francesville as a war hero, community leader, and a teacher. Born on a farm in Wheatfield, Indiana, Mac attended Purdue University on scholarship where he pursued a degree in Vocational Agriculture, Education, and Science. Despite being denied acceptance into the ROTC program at Purdue, Mac was drafted 5 months after graduating from college and immediately called to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis to serve his country. It may be insufficient to say Mac simply did his duty. Landing on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, with so many other young men from the greatest generation, Mac served as a Medic alongside the 1st Battalion, 18th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. Mac was awarded the Silver Star for valor, two Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars during five campaigns in World War II. After the war, Mac and his wife Phyllis moved to Francesville where he began teaching at Francesville High School in 1946. Mac was beloved by his students for his patience and dedication to his craft, teaching everything from vocational agriculture to industrial arts. He finished as an administrator after more than 30 years in education. Mac was the kind of person every community needs. Whether it was his service to his country or community, Mac asked nothing in return. He served on the library board, was active in Future Farmers of America, and participated in 4-H for 25 years: He was a pillar of the Francesville community and deserved every honor bestowed to him. Though he left this world on July 8, 2004, his legacy lives on. I welcome the opportunity to further honor Mac Lawrence with the naming of the Francesville Post Office, the Malcolm Melville ``Mac'' Lawrence Post Office. Leading by quiet example while he was living, Mac deserves resounding recognition after death.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3665, the Veterans Housing and Employment Improvement Act of 2005, as amended. This is a bipartisan bill that as amended also includes provisions from Chairman Boozman's H.R. 3279, the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2005, Ranking Member Herseth's H.R. 1773, the Native American Veteran Home Loan Act, and Mr. Simpson's H.R. 419, the Hire Veterans Act of 2005. Title I of this bill, as amended, would improve the flexibility of the VA's Adapted Housing Grant Program, and make the Native American Veterans Home Loan Program permanent. Title II of the bill would extend the life of the President's National Hire Veterans Committee (PNHVC), which was created by Public Law 107-288 to improve industry's awareness of the value inherent in increasing the number of veterans hired by the private sector. The Committee determined that a one-year extension of the PNHVC's three- year authority for purposes of winding down its operations, in addition to providing opportunity for added oversight, would be an appropriate way to ensure that the Department of Labor integrates the positive aspects of the PNHVC into its future activities. Title III of the bill would reauthorize the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP), which is administered by VETS. Based on testimony and meetings with HVRP providers, the program appears to be one of the more successful homeless programs in government by rehabilitating and finding jobs for the most difficult to place population of veterans. Title IV of the bill would also make technical, clarifying, and conforming changes to new section 1980A of title 38, the Traumatic Injury Protection program, which was established in the supplemental. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I would like to thank the Ranking Member of the Committee, Mr. Lane Evans (IL) for his cooperation in moving this legislation to the floor. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of Mr. Boozman (AR), and Ms. Herseth (SD), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, through whose leadership and hard work, this legislation has come before the House. Its timing is especially propitious, the day after tomorrow being Veterans' Day. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge all my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of representing the city of Knox in Starke County for ten years in Congress, and though it is no longer in my congressional district, it is a town that remains special to me. It is a community filled with tight-knit families who support one another through good times and bad. What is so fitting about naming Knox's post office for Grant Green is that it is not only a tribute to the people of Knox, but to the men and women of the U.S. Postal Service. Grant Green lived nearly his entire life in Knox where he raised his family, was a model citizen, and dedicated himself to public service. It is that public service for which he is best known. For 50 years, he served the people of Knox as a postman. Now, in these days of instant communication and relatively inexpensive travel, it is sometimes easy to overlook the vital role that the men and women of the U.S. Postal Service have played for our communities, especially our rural communities. Communities such as Knox may have small populations, but they are typically surrounded by family farms. In decades past, postmen may have been the only outside contact that those families had for weeks. Their arrival and what they brought, not only in the mailbag but also in news from town to town, was vital and eagerly awaited. For 50 years, Grant Green was the link to the outside world for many families and we honor his service today with the naming of the new Knox Post Office.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank Chairman Hunter for arranging for this opportunity to comment upon the remarkable honor and valor of our United States soldiers. One thing that I reflect on is the high quality of leaders in our military that we are producing right now in Iraq. We have 1st lieutenants with two tours under their belts already. The seamlessness with which our Guard and Reserves fight alongside our active duty is another tremendous evolution benefiting this conflict and paving the way for future military successes. We are making a significant investment in world peace with the strong commitment of our men and women overseas. These brave soldiers fight in a land they've never been for people they've never met to extend the fundamental rights of liberty. The Middle East is yet another test of this commitment to liberty. Liberty is defended by the vigilant who are willing to sacrifice to defend freedom and stabilize the country's civil institutions. In January of this year, 2005, over 8 million Iraqi citizens voted and reaffirmed only weeks ago with the ratification of their constitution. What a pleasure it was to observe the Iraqi people defying intimidation and threats to define the course of their country's destiny. This dignity, denied them for decades, was afforded to them by the efforts of those people we honor today. As Veterans Day approaches let us not forget that the men and women serving today will join the ranks of those who have selflessly served this same mission to bring these freedoms to all people. We have ensured that men and women, active and reserve soldiers from each service, return to a grateful homeland eager to honor their service and sacrifice.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4061, the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Management Improvement Act. I, along with the committee's ranking member, Lane Evans, along with other members of the committee, introduced this legislation on October 17 of 2005. Over the last several years, the Veterans' Affairs Committee has worked extremely hard on this groundbreaking legislation. We believe its passage will greatly assist the VA to improve its efforts to achieve the one VA mission. The VA has long had a problem with stove- piped administrations that veterans must deal with as though they are separate parts of the government. Since coming to Congress, I have witnessed the VA's inability to adequately manage its IT funding and IT modernization efforts. In fact, the VA's IT modernization efforts go back at least 20 years, to 1985 when it was the policy of the Veterans Administration to provide ``better service to the veteran through modern technology.'' Unfortunately, the Department has annually requested and spent billions of dollars without accountability or measurable performance outcomes on IT modernization, and America's veterans are still waiting for the ``one VA.'' According to GAO, the VA spent approximately $10 billion over the last decade alone for VA IT spending, and this is probably a very conservative figure. Historically, the VA has included funding for IT in its general administration accounts of each of the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and National Cemetery Administration. What that really means is that the VA has been spending billions of dollars on three separate IT infrastructures within the Department. For example, the Health Administration, the autonomy is downstream to the VISIONS and then on to the hospitals with their own operating systems. To take a second example down further is what happened with Katrina when they took the medical records from New Orleans and they then transferred them within the same VISION, VISION 16, and downloaded the medical records at the Houston VA. They had to be reconfigured when they were brought to Houston. That is just within a same VISION. To make matters worse, these three separate IT infrastructures within the VA cannot efficiently and effectively share important information. For our veterans this is a significant and unacceptable convenience. Ultimately, centralizing the VA IT organizational structure will allow the VA to better serve our veterans. The VA absolutely needs to modernize its IT, both in hardware and software, and it should be the vehicle and tools of efficiency. When there is truly One-VA with modern IT support, it will provide a seamless transition of our military being treated at the VA hospital as he or she move in and out of that system, whether it be back to active duty status or to veterans status. We will also improve timely medical appointments and reduce waiting time. It will foster better patient safety through updated and correct medical data. It will have faster and more accurate claims processing and afford timely benefits delivery of all VA benefits, such as VA home loans and GI Bill education benefits. Equally important, the cost of VA's inability to manage its IT programs and initiatives has resulted in some significant IT failures: as much as $600 million-plus for a decade of VETSNET, the automated compensation and pension claims processing system that still has not been implemented after 10 years of development efforts; $342 million for CoreFLS, the failed financial management system; $300 million for the HR Links, the failed automated personnel system; $485 million annually to maintain VISTA, VA's 25-year-old medical information system. In 1996, Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996, legislation that created the position of chief information officer for Federal agencies. The provisions of the bill were later renamed the Clinger-Cohen Act. In 2001, 5 years after this mandate, the Department of Veterans Affairs became the last Cabinet-level Department to comply with the requirements of the Clinger-Cohen Act and appoint a full-time chief information officer. In 2003, then-Secretary Principi directed VA to centralize its IT processes to better align IT management. It did not happen. In 2004, the VA hired Gartner Consulting, a Fortune 500 IT consultant, to analyze and review its IT infrastructure and processes. In testimony before the Veterans' Affairs full committee in September 2005, Gartner testified that the VA's IT budgets are very fluid, without much accountability on how and when funding is spent. Gartner analyzed several organizational models, including no change or the status quo to help VA resolve its IT issue. Two of the models have the greatest potential application to the VA. One that the VA advocated is called a ``federated model,'' where centralized planning, technology operations, and budgeting/financial are controlled by a chief information officer with business applications developed and supported by application teams in each business line. But it still preserves the stovepipes. Then you have what is called the ``centralized model,'' where all VA IT is organized into a single entity reporting to a chief information officer. Key functional entities reporting directly to the CIO include business applications, infrastructure and operations, customer relations, enterprise architecture, data and information management, security management, and IT finance. According to VA's own consultant, the centralized approach provides the greatest opportunity to successfully execute the One-VA mission objectives. It maximizes asset utilization and achieves economies of scale across all of VA by managing the infrastructure through a central function; and through common organization, it will more rapidly mature the IT investment management processes across the VA's IT program portfolio. The bill in front of us is the centralized approach that has also been endorsed by Gartner Consulting to the VA. Furthermore, Gartner testified that the centralized approach could save the VA $345 million annually, or more than $1.7 billion over 5 years. Gartner also estimated that the cost to VA for reorganizing IT will be $14 million. Even if the implementation cost is doubled and the estimated savings are too optimistic and halved, the return on investment will be approximately three to one, and this is from one of the leading IT consultants in the world, the very consultant on which the Fortune 500 companies rely. Despite these findings and recommendations, the VA has now decided to adopt a federated approach and they really do not need Congress to act, that we are going to do this all on our own. Quite frankly, VA's plan looks like the Department wants to carry on, really, business as usual, but give it a title. On a bipartisan basis, we find this completely unacceptable. So, Mr. Speaker, I am also putting the Department on notice. My advice to the Under Secretary of the Veterans Health Administration, Dr. Perlin, is to cease and desist in his staunch efforts to push for this federated model. My advice to the Under Secretary of the Veterans Benefits Administration, Admiral Cooper, is to stop his efforts to adopt a federated approach. My advice to the newly designated Under Secretary of the National Cemetery Administration, William Turk, is not to proceed with the federated approach. Earlier this year, the Veterans' Committee recommended that Congress withhold $400 million for VA IT because the Department has poorly managed its major IT initiative. Furthermore, the Department has not held anyone accountable when multimillion dollar projects fail. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my distinguished colleague and the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs (Mr. Walsh) for adopting our recommendation and withholding $383 million from the fiscal 2006 budget. If the Department of Veterans Affairs continues down this path of disregard for this legislative body, we have no choice. We will continue to recommend withholding a portion of VA's IT budget until the CIO is allowed to instill a disciplined and accountability approach to the VA's IT budget and that it be done on a centralized approach. Congress should not tolerate the continued mismanagement of the precious veterans resources on failed IT programs within the Department. Allow the CIO to do his job. Ultimately, this bill will empower the CIO with the authority over IT's budgets, equipment, and personnel. This legislation is long overdue, and I urge my colleagues to support this important effort. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4061) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the management of information technology within the Department of Veterans Affairs by providing for the Chief Information Officer of that Department to have authority over resources, budget, and personnel related to the support function of information technology, and for other purposes.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. 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. 4061.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous matter on H.R. 1691.

Mr. BUYER

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentleman from Texas for his support of this legislation and once again for his fine work on the Veterans' Committee. This bill before us will name the VA outpatient clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, as the ``John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.'' In the State of Wisconsin, they have a council; and this council is made up of many veterans organizations. They met on October 21 of 2005 to discuss H.R. 1691. The council had a discussion, a motion was made and was seconded and carried a unanimous vote, no objections, to support the bill that is before us today. The veterans organizations that were in support of this legislation in the State of Wisconsin and offer this under the American people are the American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, the Navy Club of the USA, the Army Navy Union, the Catholic War Veterans, Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans, American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, the United Women Veterans, Polish Legion of American Veterans, Wisconsin Association of Concerned Veterans Organizations, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the County Veterans Service Officers Association, AMVETS, the Jewish War Veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. These are 24 of the veterans organizations that supported the gentleman from Wisconsin's legislation. In closing, I believe we can tell a lot about a nation by the individuals whom we choose to honor, and this is a very appropriate means and manner to honor one of America's true heroes. With that, I ask that all Members support H.R. 1691.