Chris Smith

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 3423, as amended, so promptly. This bill would change in-ground burial eligibility at Arlington National Cemetery by eliminating the requirement that retired reservists be in receipt of their retirement pay. Reservists must be 60 years old to receive pay, and existing Army rules do not allow these gray zone retirees to be buried at Arlington. The bill would also make eligible for in-ground burial reservists who die in the line of duty during active or inactive training. Madam Speaker, Arlington is the Nation's most famous veterans cemetery with a storied history of American heros who are buried there. However, there is limited space for in-ground burial at the cemetery. In 1967, the Army adopted rules restricting eligibility as to which veterans can be buried there. It should be noted that Arlington will provide space for cremated remains in its columbaria for honorably discharged veterans eligible for burial at any of the other national cemeteries. In general, Army rules restrict in-ground burial at Arlington to veterans who were wounded in combat, died on active duty, received one of the military service's highest awards for gallantry or were held prisoner of war or retired from military service. The bill before us, Madam Speaker, would amend those Army rules to ensure access for retired reservists such as Captain Charles Burlingame, III, the pilot of flight 77 which tragically crashed into the Pentagon on September 11. Indeed, Captain Burlingame, a former Navy F-4 Phantom fighter pilot, was one of the first casualties in the war on terrorism. The existing Army rules, however, prevented Captain Burlingame, who was 51, from receiving full burial rights at Arlington National Cemetery solely because of his age at death. In every other aspect, Captain Burlingame was fully qualified having served 20 years of service with distinction. Fortunately, Captain Burlingame was eventually approved for his own burial in his own grave site through a waiver approved by the Secretary of the Army. Captain Burlingame deserved the Nation's highest honor of burial at that hallowed ground of Arlington, not only because he gave his life trying to save his passengers, but because he did his duty to our Nation as a member of the Naval Reserve as a combat pilot. Burial space is very limited, Madam Speaker, at Arlington; and I appreciate the interest in maintaining its strict eligibility rules. Those rules have remained essentially unchanged over the last 34 years. But the role of our reserve forces has changed markedly over the last number of years, the last 34 or so years. In the Congress, we have recognized this by authorizing many benefits for reservists that previously were only provided to former active duty personnel. Reservists play a major role in the modern total force concept that protect our freedoms. Today we are unable to go to war without mobilizing reservists right from the start. It is inequitable, I would suggest, that a reservist who serves our Nation for a minimum of 20 years shall have been eligible for in-ground burial at Arlington simply because he or she had the misfortune to die prior to the age of 60. In addition to such distinguished retirees as Captain Burlingame, this legislation would make eligible members of the reserve components who die in the line of duty while performing weekend or two-week reserve duty. Frankly, I see no reason why a reservist's eligibility for Arlington should be based on whether that person was or was not in training status when he or she died in the line of duty. In today's military, there is usually no practical difference. Madam Speaker, the danger of serving in our Armed Forces is emphasized by the thousands of active duty deaths which occur each and every year. Almost all of these deaths occur not as a result of hostile action, but as the predictable toll of employing young men and women in sometimes dangerous and daunting tasks while operating complex weapons systems that put them at risk. Many of them are also the result of automobile accidents. Under current law, we honor each of these service members by offering their families honors and benefits because their death occurred in the line of duty. One of those honors is to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. At our hearing on this last week, Madam Speaker, we received very compelling testimony from several witnesses that a military plane crash may end the lives of all on board, but that the status of those who died may range from active duty to inactive duty training. To afford burial at Arlington to one whose status was active duty while denying it to yet another who was inactive is illogical, and it is profoundly unfair. This bill would make the rules more equitable. During the committee consideration of this measure, we agreed to adopt an amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), my good friend and colleague, the ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The amendment authorizes but does not require the construction of a memorial at Arlington Cemetery to all of those that were killed on September 11. Under existing regulations, it is necessary for Congress to authorize a memorial such as the one contemplated in this bill. I have met, Madam Speaker, with a number of the families of persons who were killed on September 11, and there would undoubtedly be constructed a national memorial to their loved ones. This legislation respects the desires of the families by requiring the Secretary of the Army to consult with them prior to determining whether the memorial should be built at Arlington and, if so, how it should be designed in a manner that is compatible with the existing cemetery. Madam Speaker, this is a good bill. It is urgent that it be passed immediately. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. (Mr. EVANS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the dean of the New York delegation. (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3423) to amend title 38, United States Code, to enact into law eligibility of certain veterans and their dependents for burial in Arlington National Cemetery, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2561) to increase the rate of special pension for recipients of the Medal of Honor, to authorize those recipients to be furnished an additional medal for display purposes, to increase the criminal penalties associated with misuse or fraud relating to the Medal of Honor, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise this afternoon in strong support of H.R. 2561, which increases to $1,000 per month the special pension payable to those veterans who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. To date, 3,455 Medals of Honor have been awarded for 3,450 separate acts of heroism. There are today 149 living recipients of this highest of awards. Fifty-five percent of the living recipients earned their medals more than 50 years ago while serving in World War II or in Korea. In April of 1916, Madam Speaker, monetary benefits were first established for Medal of Honor recipients in the amount of $10 per month. In 1961, the rate was increased to $100, and not increased again until 1978. Public Law 95-469 increased this pension to $200. The Medal of Honor pension remained at $200 until 1993, when it was increased to $400 in Public Law 103-161. Congress again increased the pension to $600 in 1998. Madam Speaker, the Medal of Honor is the highest award for military valor that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in our Armed Forces. It is only fitting that living recipients, who are real heroes, be accorded this special recognition for the most supreme acts of bravery and sacrifice for our country. Madam Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the prime sponsor of this bill, for introducing it, for having the sensitivity to our great war heroes, and the great need that they have for this kind of recognition. It is a good bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the author of the pending legislation. (Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. I thank him for his leadership on issues relating to human rights, especially in the Philippines and Afghanistan and so many other places where he has made a difference. This resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 273, underscores a very important aspect of our relationship to another country, the Philippines. The Philippines and the U.S. have had a long-standing, deep, and very strong relationship; so it was not surprising to me that President Arroyo was first out of the blocks to support the United States in our campaign to defeat al Qaeda. That is what we expect from an ally. We do not always get that from allies, but we got it in a very real way from our good friends in the Philippines. As Members know, and this was pointed out by the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) a moment ago, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Philippines-U.S. Mutual Defense Pact, which has helped to preserve and protect the peace after the Philippines went through a horrific ordeal, an ordeal that was endured by many of our own U.S. soldiers, the Bataan Death March, for example, during World War II; and the large numbers of threats that followed: the Communist threat, the corruption threats that followed World War II. I would note parenthetically, Mr. Speaker, that my father, after fighting very terrible battles in New Guinea and many other battles against the Japanese, was part of the force that liberated the Philippines from the Japanese. He always spoke to my brothers and I of the good people of the Philippines. He always spoke of them in glowing and affectionate terms, a feeling that was shared by so many of our GIs when they spent time there fighting alongside the Filipino scouts, who were tenacious fighters in their own right. As chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, we continue to provide significant health and other benefits to the Filipino veterans, and that again underscores the relationship of our Nation with the Philippine nation. Finally, just let me note that the Philippines have been somewhat unique in protecting and helping refugees themselves. When other nations were in the process of closing what was known as the Comprehensive Plan of Action, the rescue that was provided internationally to the boat people, there were about 2,000 boat people in the Philippines. Other nations were forcibly repatriating these good people. President Ramos, when he saw what was happening, what did he do? He said, Not our Nation. We are going to maintain a welcome mat to these people, about 2,000 strong. I think that spoke very well of the good- heartedness of those people in the Philippines. Finally, the Philippine Government and the nation is also a major platform for the Voice of America and the broadcasting that emanates from that. We are hoping very soon that Radio Free Asia will also have a platform there, as well. This is a great resolution. Again, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) for his leadership. As usual, he is in the forefront of a very good cause.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) for yielding me the time. I thank him also for staying, true to his word. He said he would have this bill on the floor in three days. Actually, he had the bill on the floor just a few days after the horrific event of 9/11. We want to thank him, all of us from New Jersey, for bringing this very important legislation back to the floor with the Senate changes. Passage of this bill, Mr. Speaker, will provide immediate and substantial tax rebates to the spouses and children of nearly 3,500 victims who met tragic deaths in the horrific attacks on September 11. Seven hundred New Jersey residents, more than 50 from my own District, never came home on September 11. They were the first victims and the first heroes of America's war on terrorism. There are additional heroes, Mr. Speaker, namely, the wives, the widows of those who were murdered on September 11. Over the last several weeks, both my wife, Marie, and I and members of my staff have met many of the widows, and we have been moved greatly by their loss as well as by their courage. Last week, my wife and I, as well as other members of the New Jersey delegation, joined with several of those widows from our State in a meeting with Speaker Hastert, and he, too, was moved by what they had to say. These brave women courageously reminded Congress of the heartbreaking burdens that they have faced since the shock of 9/11. They made it very clear that this tax relief is a matter of survival to them. Much of the money has run out that they had saved personally. For many of them, the assistance they got from charitable contributions ran out on December 1. The Victims Compensation Fund has not kicked in yet. There had to be something to provide very real money a bridge for these individuals. The Victims Tax Relief Bill will help to do that. Among the more moving remarks, and there were many that we have heard over the last several months, were the comments of Sheila Martello, who lost her husband Jim in the World Trade Center. Last week Mrs. Martello said ``we do not want to be here in Washington fighting for this benefit. We would rather be doing what we do best, raising our children.'' Again, I want to thank the chairman for his leadership on this. I thank the Speaker for his personal commitment. Both Mr. Thomas and Speaker Hastert moved very quickly right after this tragedy, along with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel). This is a good, bipartisan bill and will help these people through this very, very difficult time. It could not come at a more important time for them.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), for yielding me this time; and I want to commend my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking Democrat on the committee, for authoring this proposal that is before us today. This is a very worthy and I think very important contribution to U.S. bilateral relations with Russia. Russia is a country that is of vital strategic, economic, and military importance to our Nation. I think the pending legislation outlines within the text a number of very constructive initiatives. Madam Speaker, I recently led the U.S. delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Bucharest, Romania; and we spent the better part of a week exploring the destructive consequence of corruption. Parliamentarians from all over the world, Madam Speaker, 54 nations that make up the OSCE, we probed corruption as it relates to undermine democracy. Our conclusions were clear: Corruption represents one of the greatest threats to democracy and market oriented economies on the face of the earth. Corruption, to a very large degree, has replaced ideology communism as the greatest potential threat to undermining the emergence of democracy in central and Eastern Europe, and especially in Russia itself. We now know that organized crime and criminal elements, some of whom used to be the old KGB, are growing and expanding in Russia. The emerging democracy is being hijacked by thugs and brigands. We know that drugs and weapons are very big money-makers for Russian Mobsters. But not far behind we also know that trafficking of human beings--especially women--has emerged worldwide and in Russia as the number three money-maker for organized crime. I am very glad that the pending legislation seeks to target assistance to fight corruption and crime and to help the Duma draft new criminal statutes and a new criminal code. Let us not forget that the most recent report that was issued by the State Department cited Russia as a tier three country that has a major problem with trafficking in human beings--And is doing far too little to stop it. Madam Speaker, we know that worldwide about 50,000 of those trafficked, mostly women, mostly for forced prostitution, come into this country and that anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million persons are trafficked worldwide each year. Many of those women are coming out of Russia and the Ukraine and countries in Europe. This legislation directs the State Department, to do more. There is no doubt that the United States wants and desire a good relationship with Russia, but they have to stop trafficking women into prostitution; they have to crack down on organized crime and provide safe havens for these victimized women who are being exploited in this way. This is a good bill. I think it deserves the support of every Member of this body. The United States has declared war on organized crime figures who rape and exploit women. Countries of origin--like Russia have to do their part! Tough, antitrafficking laws are needed in every country. And I hope that this legislation builds on our earlier laws to move that along so that we have trafficking laws that are uniform, to the greatest extent possible. Traffickers must know that if they exploit women, they go to prison, and they go to prison for the rest of their lives. Our law now says that. It is about time the laws of every country, including Russia, said it as well. I will never forget, Madam Speaker, I brought this legislation up in St. Petersburg at an OSE Parliamentary Assembly. The Duma speaker looked at me when I mentioned trafficking as if I was talking about something that was happening on the moon. That has changed. The next year and the year after in Paris, when the trafficking resolution came up on the floor among the Parliamentary Assembly participants, the Russians embraced that language and said we need to do something at home as well. I hope that we work uniformly to crack down on this scourge of modern-day slavery. Mr. Hyde. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill, the Russian Democracy Act, ensures that American assistance will continue to be available to help strengthen democracy in the Russian Federation. Seemingly a routine measure, we should pause for a moment and note what this bill represents. The mere fact that we can speak of democracy in Russia as an emerging but actual reality in the present tense, and not as some dim prospect in the hazy future, is one of the many wonders of the past decade that have grown familiar and that are now taken largely for granted. Its existence, however, is a testament to the deep commitment to fundamental values shared by peoples all over the world. The United States and the West as a whole owe an immense debt to all the men and women of Russia who have struggled to establish and defend a democracy in their country and thereby create a new era of freedom after a thousand years of autocratic rule. The benefits of that freedom, of course, are most directly felt by Russia's own citizens. But the West has benefitted enormously as well. A half century of effort by the United States and its allies to contain and undermine Soviet imperialism enjoyed many successes, but it was only with the advent of the earliest stages of democracy in Russia that the Soviet empire finally crumbled. The creation of a democracy in Russia must be counted as one of the great achievements of the past century. Yet for all of its accomplishments, that democracy is not yet firmly established. The civil society on which all democracies ultimately rest remains weak in Russia; much of the legacy inherited from Russia's authoritarian past is still to be overcome; the institutions of democracy are largely untested; the habits of freedom have yet to become universal. Given these and other concerns, the Russian government's current campaign against independent voices in the media is a most worrisome one. Why is this our concern? Because the strengthening of Russian democracy and advancing Russia's integration into the West are unquestionably in the long-term strategic interests of the United States. These advances are necessary if we are to make permanent the gains we have derived from the liberation of Europe, a commitment that stretches unbroken for half a century, from the landings on the Normandy beaches to the final dissolution of the Soviet empire. To this, an even broader motivation can be added. By helping other peoples share the benefits of liberty, we demonstrate a continuing commitment to the universal principles on which our country was founded and the promise these represent to all who endure oppression. Thus, our own interests and our hopes for the world, together argue, that we should provide direct and ongoing assistance to securing democracy in Russia. The bill before us represents an important part of that effort. It focuses our attention and assistance on many of the prerequisites of a free and prosperous society, including the creation of a resilient civil society, the strengthening of an independent press, and the establishment of the rule of law. Yet even as we assist Russia's democrats in their unfinished tasks, we must recognize that the building of a fee society in that country can only be accomplished by the Russian people themselves. We cannot do it for them. But neither do we need to. Although there are many in this country and elsewhere who would despair of the fate of democracy in Russia, I am not among them. Its course may occasionally surprise and concern us, but the ultimate destination aimed at by Russia's democrats should not be in doubt. The depth of their commitment to freedom has been demonstrated by the enormous obstacles they have already overcome. Freedom was not handed to the Russian people; they freed themselves. Lacking a direct experience of liberty in their past, they nonetheless have continued to lay the foundation to secure it for themselves and for their countrymen, even as they have encountered the inevitable setbacks and disappointments. It is for these reasons that their efforts to strengthen democracy in their country deserve our assistance and respect, and it is my hope that Russia's assumption of its rightful place among the free nations of the world shall prove to be a permanent one. Madam Speaker, I urge strong support for this legislation and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, earlier this year at a hearing on homeless veterans, our committee heard some very compelling testimony from several veterans who themselves had been homeless, including Stuart Collick, a 39-year-old veteran from New Jersey. Stuart had joined the all- volunteer Army at the age of 23. He could think of no higher calling than serving his country, and serve he did. He had combat experience in Grenada, and later distinguished himself as an infantryman in the Persian Gulf War. He holds the Army Service Ribbon with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Southwest Asia Service Ribbon; three Bronze Star medals; three Good Conduct medals, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge, among other official recognition. He served with distinction, and he did his duty. But combat leaves indelible marks and can leave scars that sometimes fail to heal. Mr. Collick left the Army in 1992, a disillusioned man, and he began drinking, then he turned to hard drug use. Within 5 years of discharge, he had lost his job, his family and his home, and was on the streets. His life, like many homeless, addicted veterans, was in total chaos. Last year, Stuart Collick found the VA Homeless Assistance Program of New Jersey. With VA help, and a growing faith in God, he turned his life around, finding new ways to cope and to overcome. He found a job and his own apartment. He developed new friendships, and reestablished relationships with his family. Today, he is working as a carpenter and foreman on the VA's Veterans Construction Team at Lyons, New Jersey, helping to build a commercial greenhouse and teaching other homeless veterans how to build something positive. Today, Stuart is a role model, an inspiration to his fellow veterans in early recovery and drawing strength from his own experiences in the Army and his life. Unfortunately, for each Stuart Collick, there are thousands of other homeless veterans living on America's streets. In fact, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are 225,000 homeless veterans on any given night. Other organizations believe that the number is closer to 300,000. Either number is far too high and a national scandal. Madam Speaker, this historic legislation before the House today, H.R. 2716, is designed to provide assistance to homeless men and women, with a national goal of ending chronic homelessness among veterans within 10 years. When I introduced the homeless assistance legislation earlier this year, it had four overarching themes: Prevention; innovation; accountability and funding programs that work. After months of effort on the part of the Committee on Veterans Affairs and our staff in both bodies, I am proud to report that our final compromise legislation reflects these principles. Madam Speaker, it is difficult to pinpoint any one cause of homelessness among our veterans. We know, however, that direct exposure to combat is often associated with later readjustment problems. We know that a majority of homeless veterans today suffer from mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, illegal substance abuse often complicates their situation as well. As indicated in a recent Washington Post article, ``The woeful failure to provide appropriate treatment and ongoing follow-up care has sent many individuals spinning through an endless revolving door of hospital admission and readmissions, jails and public shelters. America's jails and prisons are now surrogate psychiatric hospitals.'' Madam Speaker, what a sad commentary that this is our approach to dealing with this vexing problem, and it need not be. Madam Speaker, a provision in H.R. 2716 authorizes an innovative demonstration program to learn whether early intervention can prevent homelessness among institutionalized veterans. The program would be carried out at 6 demonstration sites, including jails and prisons. The purpose of this program is to provide incarcerated veterans with referral and counseling about job training, housing, health care, and other needs to assist the veteran in the transition from institutional living back to normal life. Madam Speaker, the consensus legislation now before the House adds funds to programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing chronic homelessness among veterans. One such program coordinates the resources of several responsible Federal agencies in dealing with homelessness. Our agreement adopts the House provision which would authorize 2,000 additional HUD section 8 low-income housing vouchers for homeless veterans in need of permanent housing. These veterans must be enrolled in VA health care and priority will be given to veterans under care for mental illness or substance-use disorders. Another program with demonstrated effectiveness is the VA's domiciliary program, currently operating in 35 locations. Our bill will authorize $10 million for 10 new ``VA Domiciliary for Homeless Veterans'' programs. These programs, like the successful one at the VA in Lyons, New Jersey, have proven highly effective. They are not the entire solution, but they appear to obtain very good results, and I believe we need to have more of them. The bill improves and expands VA's homeless grant program, which works with community-based and nonprofit providers to target services for homeless veterans. Current participants are already contributing substantially to the fulfillment of this bill's objective: To reduce homelessness and provide for the specialty needs of homeless veterans. The bill authorizes $285 million over 4 years for this program. It also provides a new mechanism for setting the per diem payment so that it can be adjusted on a regular basis without red tape. The Department of Labor's Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program has a proven track record of helping veterans rejoin the labor force. H.R. 2716 extends and increases the authorization level to $250 million over 5 years for this effective program. Employment is an important key to helping homeless veterans rejoin American society, but employment is not possible unless a homeless veteran has access to quality health and dental care, and other supportive services. The compromise expands access to these services in an innovative way. These are just a few of the highlights of the comprehensive bill, the ``Homeless Veterans' Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001.'' It will provide new assistance to homeless veterans, lift them up to a sustainable level and prevent them from returning to a state of homelessness, and help them become self-sufficient individuals, accountable for their own actions. This bill also holds accountable grant and contract recipients to perform their promised services in exchange for government investments, and promotes a greater opportunity for departments to work together to provide the best possible outcomes. It also sponsors prevention of homelessness in high-risk groups within the veteran population. And, it provides more authority and funds for programs that have proven themselves successful in reducing homelessness. I would like to commend a number of people, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) who has been a tireless worker working on behalf of homeless veterans. We have worked very cooperatively on this legislation. He has been a friend and ally in its crafting, along with staff on both sides of the aisle, Pat Ryan, who is our committee staff counsel as well as our committee's chief of staff. I would like to thank so many people who contributed to this legislation and those who inspire like Jerry Colbert. Madam Speaker, my wife and I were greatly moved by the National Memorial Day concert produced by Jerry Colbert here at the Capitol and the emphasis it placed on homelessness. This is a good bill, and deserves the support of every Member of this body. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons).

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Just let me close, Mr. Speaker, by again thanking the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) for his partnership in working on this legislation. I also appreciate the work of our colleagues in the Senate, Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Specter, who toiled in good faith with us on behalf of finding consensus on this legislation that satisfies the needs and really does address the problem to truly make a difference. I want to recognize the staffs who contributed so much to these efforts, including our chief of staff and general counsel Pat Ryan, Kingston Smith, Michael Durishin, Susan Edgerton, John Bradley, Peter Dirkenson, Bill Brew, Bill Tuerk, Alexandra Sardegna, Bill Cahill, Kimberly Cowins, Perry Lange, Debbie Smith, Summer Larson, Jeannie McNally, as well as counsels in both bodies, Bob Cover, Pierre Poisson and Charlie Armstrong, as well as several others who worked together to accomplish a truly remarkable bill that in the future will be seen as a tremendous contribution to solving a perplexing national problem for veterans. I commend all our Members on both sides of the aisle, and in both Houses, for their support in moving this legislation as well. On behalf of homeless veterans, Mr. Speaker, who need these services, I want to particularly honor Stuart Collick, Walter McConnell, Angela Gipson and other formerly homeless veterans of my own State who serve as inspirations and role models, and for all of those who aid them in their ongoing efforts to solve this problem, one veteran at a time, trying to rescue one life at a time. General Leave

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 2540) to amend title 38, United States Code, to make various improvements to veterans benefits programs under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2540, the Veterans Compensation Rate Amendments of 2001, is a clean bill providing a cost-of-living adjustment to disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Most of the changes to other benefit authorities that were part of the bill when it passed the House will be taken up as part of the compromise agreement to H.R. 1291. Upon enactment of this vital legislation, all veterans or qualified survivors of veterans who receive disability compensation payment will receive a 2.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment beginning on December 1 of this year. This increase, which matches the Social Security COLA, will raise payments to disabled veterans by more than $400 million in the first year. In all, compensation payments will be increased by more than $2.5 billion over the next 5 years. For more than 170,000 veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, the average annual increase is $738. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank every Member who contributed to this bill. I especially want to thank the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), who is the chairman of our Subcommittee on Benefits, and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), who is the ranking member, for their excellent work on H.R. 2540. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo), my good friend and colleague, who was very, very helpful in the Persian Gulf War veterans provision.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am very proud and happy to bring to the floor H.R. 1291, as amended, the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001. Mr. Speaker, this bill is derived from measures which the House approved overwhelmingly earlier this year: H.R. 801, the Veterans Opportunities Act of 2001; H.R. 1291, the 21st Century Montgomery G.I. Bill Enhancement Act; H.R. 2540, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2001. It also includes a number of provisions contained in S. 1088, the Benefits Veterans Improvement Act of 2001. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans); former chairman of the Subcommittee on Benefits, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth); the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes); and the current subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), for working with me in crafting these bills. Little did we know last spring what terrorists would do to America on September 11. Although our resolve was already firm, the events of September 11 have heightened the Nation's concern that we provide adequate benefits for those who serve in our Nation's Armed Forces. I am proud that we have been able to respond so positively to their concerns. We had two goals in mind, Mr. Speaker, when we were preparing these bills. The first goal was to continue our Nation's commitment to those veterans who have already been in harm's way in past wars and conflicts. Second, we wanted to create a level playing field for the generation of veterans who protect our freedoms now and into the future. Our bipartisan legislation carried out these two broad goals in three primary ways: first, through improvements in the Montgomery G.I. bill and other VA education programs, so as to position our returning service members for long-term, sustained employment; second, through improvements in VA programs for disabled veterans and their widows and orphans, so as to honor our commitment to them; and third, by building on former Under Secretary Joe Thompson's initiatives to reach out to America's sons and daughters before, rather than after, they leave the military to ease their transition to civilian life. Mr. Speaker, with respect to veterans education, I am pleased that the compromise agreement contains no less than 11 provisions to improve the Montgomery G.I. bill and other VA education programs. Under current law, a full-time veteran-student receives $672 monthly under the Montgomery G.I. bill, from which the veteran-student pays the tuitions, books, supplies, fees, and subsistence, including housing, food, and transportation. H.R. 1291, as amended, would increase the $672 monthly amount to $800 per month effective this January; to $900, effective October 1 of 2002; and to $985 per month effective October 1, 2003. Mr. Speaker, this represents a 52 percent increase in the monthly benefit, phased in over 3 years. According to data furnished by the College Board this spring, the monthly G.I. bill benefit would have had to rise to $1,025 per month for a veteran-student to attend a 4-year student as a commuter student at an average cost of $9,229 per year. This figure includes tuition, fees, and living expenses. Veteran students are highly engaging and resourceful individuals, but the $1,025 per month figure has been shown to be woefully inadequate and that the Montgomery G.I. bill just simply did not cover those costs. That is what we are trying to rectify with this legislation. Frankly, we should not be surprised, Mr. Speaker, that only about half of the eligible veterans for the Montgomery G.I. bill have used it since 1985, one of the main reasons being the lack of funding in the actual benefit provided. The bill also builds on the wisdom and foresight of former chairman Sonny Montgomery, who, back in 1980, understood the linkage between the success of an all-volunteer force and a sound educational incentive to recruit high-quality individuals. Serving one's country literally has taken on a new meaning since September 11. Now more than ever we need a new G.I. bill that does reflect the selflessness of our service members who are putting their lives on the line to ferret out and to eliminate terrorism. This bill goes a long way to closing the gap between school costs and benefits. The compromise agreement also contains nine provisions that make improvements in VA programs benefiting disabled veterans and their dependents and keeps our commitments to veterans who suffer from chronic illnesses subsequent to their service during the Persian Gulf War. Effective April 1, 2002, the bill revises the definition of ``undiagnosed illnesses'' for Persian Gulf War veterans to include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic multisyndrome illnesses, and other illnesses that cannot be clearly defined. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer), the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) for their leadership on this particular provision. This bill keeps America's promise to disabled veterans by increasing specially adapted housing allowances for severely disabled veterans from $43,000 to $48,000 per year; increases the automobile and adaptive equipment grant for severely disabled veterans from $8,000 to $9,000; increases the payments for burial and funeral expenses for service- connected veterans from $1,500 to $2,000; and increases the burial plot allowance for eligible veterans from $150 to $300. Lastly, the measure makes the second improvement in as many years for spouses of children of 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans or their survivors of veterans who die from their service-connected disability. The monthly education benefit would increase from $588 per month to $670 per month. Lastly, following the recommendations of the congressional Veterans Claim Adjudication Commission and the congressional Commission on Service Members and Veterans Transition Assistance, the bill gives the VA greater authority to reach out to those service members defending our freedom around the world before they leave the military. The VA will now have the authority to create regional offices overseas, thus creating a vision for a world-class worldwide organization. And the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor will be able to make transition counseling available to first- time service members as early as 12 months before separation and 24 months prior to separation for retirees. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the Explanatory Statement on the House Amendment. Explanatory Statement on House Amendment to Senate Amendments to H.R. 1291 The House amendment to the Senate amendments to H.R. 1291 reflect a compromise agreement that the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs have reached on H.R. 801, H.R. 1291, H.R. 2540, H.R. 3240, and S. 1088. H.R. 801 passed the House on March 27, 2001. H.R. 1291 passed the House on June 19, 2001. H.R. 2540 passed the House on July 31, 2001. H.R. 3240 passed the House on November 13, 2001. The Senate considered S. 1088 (hereinafter known as the ``Senate bill'') on December 7, 2001. This measure was incorporated in H.R. 1291 as an amendment and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on December 7, 2001. The House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs have prepared the following explanation of H.R. 1291, as amended, (hereinafter referred to as the ``Compromise Agreement''). Differences between the provisions contained in the Compromise Agreement and the related provisions of H.R. 801, H.R. 1291, H.R. 2540, H.R. 3240, and S. 1088 are noted in this document, except for clerical corrections, conforming changes made necessary by the Compromise Agreement, and minor drafting, technical, and clarifying changes.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), distinguished chairman of our subcommittee and the former Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives. We are pleased to have a man of his caliber heading up the Subcommittee on Benefits.