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Vice Chairman of the Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs,
Michael Bilirakis (R-Fla.) received praise for his
tireless
advocacy on behalf of veterans in his 24 years of
service
as a member of Congress and the Veterans’ Affairs
Committee. |
Washington, D.C. — Today, the
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs heard the views of nine
veterans’ and military service organizations (VSOs and MSOs) in
the second of a two-day series of “Look Back, Look Ahead”
hearings which Committee Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) termed
“the opening of the Fiscal Year 2008 VA budget process.”
“Yesterday, we held the first of these hearings, at which 11 VSO
and MSO commanders and leaders testified. Their comments were
substantive and the session was very productive,” Buyer said. “I
look forward to today’s discussion.”
VSOs and MSOs detailed their legislative priorities, focusing
especially on funding for medical research, a reduction of the
backlog in disability claims, physical and mental health issues
of servicemembers returning from the war on terror, and the
seamless transition of those servicemembers into the VA and
civilian life.
“We have considerable work to do regarding traumatic brain
injuries, not only in protective equipment, but in the medical
research and development aspects. I look forward to working
together on this issue,” Buyer said in response to comments from
John Lopez of the Association of Service Disabled Veterans on
the importance of funding and advancements in medical research.
In testimony on the growing backlog of compensation at VA,
witnesses spoke in unison on the need for efforts and focus,
including additional personnel, more extensive training and
better use of technology to reduce the backlog. Buyer noted that
he would soon be meeting with the committee’s task force on
accountability, comprising of veterans’ advocates, which is
examining accountability issues across VA. Buyer thanked the
representatives for their insight, stating that this is an
opportune time for their views, as Congress and the
administration are beginning to develop the FY 2008 budget.
Veterans’ representatives shared the committee’s concerns that
information security and management be centralized within the
VA. Buyer linked the urgent need to reform VA’s information
technology and security to his top priorities, caring for
veterans who have service-connected disabilities, those with
special needs, and the indigent; ensuring a seamless transition
from military service to the VA and providing veterans every
opportunity to live full, healthy lives.
Witnesses praised the commitment and work of two departing
members for their tireless advocacy on behalf of veterans:
Michael Bilirakis (R-Fla.), vice chairman of the full committee
and chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations, and Ranking Member Lane Evans (D-Ill.).
Bilirakis and Evans will be retiring from Congress at the end of
the 109th Congress.
“We will miss their service and their heart for veterans,” Buyer
said.