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Aloha! As the Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am determined
to honor this Nation's veterans by ensuring they receive the care and benefits they have earned
through selfless service. I take my leadership role seriously and am constantly looking for
new ways to assist veterans. I hope you find my Web site helpful. Should you need any additional
information or help, feel free to contact the Democratic Committee office at (202) 224-2074.
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October 2, 2006
COLA BILL FOR VETERANS COMPENSATION
PASSES BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS
September 21, 2006
REVIEW ON VETERANS BUDGET REVEALS FAULTY ACCOUNTING AND NEED FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY September 21, 2006
COLA BILL FOR VETERANS PASSES SENATE September 6, 2006
HAWAII’S SERVICEMEMBERS BENEFITTING UNDER NEW LAW August 9, 2006
VETERANS BILL PASSES SENATE WITH AKAKA PROVISIONS July 12, 2006
STATEMENT BY SENATOR AKAKA ON THE RESIGNATION OF
THE VA UNDER SECRETARY FOR HEALTH
June 30, 2006
Akaka Calls on President to Prioritize Funding for Veterans June 29, 2006
Senator Akaka Stresses Accountability in Light of VA Data Theft June 21, 2006
Akaka Applauds VA for Efforts to Secure Data Theft Information June 14, 2006
Ranking Member Akaka Leads Democrats on Addressing Vet Funding and Data Theft Prevention
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Ranking Member Akaka leads off at a press conference for new veteran legislation. |
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Ranking Member Akaka in Hawaii at a field hearing with Chairman Craig. B&W; |
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Ranking Member Akaka and a Hawaiian vet share a laugh. |
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Ranking Member Akaka at the podium. |
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Ranking Member Akaka listens to Under Secretary Perlin at a Hawaii field hearing. |
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Ranking Member Akaka and Senator Obama chat with Major Tammy Duckworth after a committe hearing. |
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Hawaii Senators are
greeted by Jose Genito,
Alberto Bacani, Jesse Baltazar and Alfredo Diaz of
the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans |
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Ranking Member Akaka with Secretary Nicholson visiting a Vet in the hospital. |
U.S. Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka is America's first Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry, and the only Chinese American member of the United States Senate.
Like many of his generation, Senator Akaka's youth was interrupted by World War II. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1943 to 1947.
First elected to the U.S. House in 1976, Congressman Akaka was appointed to the Senate when Senator Spark Matsunaga passed away, subsequently winning election to the office in 1990, and re election in 1994 and 2000.
At the start of the 109th Congress, Senator Daniel K. Akaka was tapped to serve as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. In this role, he leads the Democrats in the Senate with regard to policy and services for our nation's 25 million veterans.
A strong and vocal advocate for veterans, Senator Akaka has served on the Committee on Veterans Affairs each year of his tenure since his arrival to the Senate in 1990. Known for working in the spirit of aloha, Senator Akaka enjoys a productive working relationship with Chairman Larry Craig (R-ID), the veteran service organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and his Congressional colleagues.
During the week of January 9-13, 2006, Senator Akaka held Committee hearings on four different Hawaiian islands to examine "The State of VA Care in Hawaii." These hearings brought high-ranking VA and military officials from Washington to examine care for Hawaii's veterans and returning servicemembers. Senator Akaka articulated that VA must provide a unique strategy to care for Hawaii's veterans due to the state's geography. As it is not practical or financially feasible for veterans to travel between the islands for care, proper care and services are needed on each island. As a result of Senator Akaka's efforts, VA will provide $1 million for improvements in mental health initiatives in Hawaii, establish a home health care program on Kauai, lift the home care restrictions on Mauai, create telehealth capabilities on Molokai, and increase mental health services in Kona. Senator Akaka will continue his fight to ensure VA provides adequate care for Hawaii's veterans.
Senator Akaka is currently fighting to increase funding for the VA health care system. Veterans are seeking care at VA hospitals and clinics as never before, and Senator Akaka is working to ensure funding keeps pace with demand. In early 2005, Senator Akaka led the charge in sounding alarms that the VA health care budget was inadequately funded. It was not until months later, that the administration acknowledged the funding shortfall. Senator Akaka and his colleagues immediately took action to increase the funding level to ensure that all veterans receive top quality care.
In addition to health care issues, Senator Akaka is committed to assuring the protection of veterans' compensation. Last year, VA undertook a review of 72,000 files of veterans who receive the maximum rate of compensation for PTSD. Senator Akaka took the lead in bringing an end to this review that would have put some veterans at risk of losing their compensation - for many, the only way to provide for their families. On November 10, 2005, the day prior to Veterans Day, VA announced the discontinuation of the PTSD review. Senator Akaka will continue to oppose any efforts to reduce veterans' compensation.
Military Service
World War II U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (including service on Saipan and Tinian), 1945 47
Staff
Legislative/Policy Inquiries: Pat Driscoll (202) 224 2074
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