NEWS FROM….

CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS

RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

    U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Washington, DC - Congressman Lane Evans of Illinois, Democratic Leader of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, is being given special recognition for his leadership in Congress in back-to-back ceremonies by two significant organizations – the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) and the Gold Star Wives of America. "I am deeply grateful for these awards, and thankful I could be of help," Evans said.

"NCHV has selected Lane Evans as a winner of a Legislative Leadership Award for influencing public policy for the benefit of homeless veterans," according to Linda Boone, executive director. "His leadership in obtaining reauthorization and appropriation, in the highest amount ever, for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, will enable an estimated 7000 veterans to receive employment services that will aid them in transitioning out of homelessness."

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans was formed in 1990 by leaders of community-based nonprofit organizations to serve as a liaison and resource center for homeless veteran service providers, other community-based groups, homeless veterans, Congress, and Executive Branch agencies. Today NCHV is made up of community organizations in 43 states and the District of Columbia that provide the day-to-day, frontline services to homeless veterans. Services fall within the full continuum of care system including drop-in centers, emergency shelters, transitional supportive housing, and permanent housing.

"Last year," said Evans, "we authorized step increases in the funding for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program beginning at $10 million in FY 2000 and increasing to $30 million in FY 2004. I am proud to be recognized with several of my colleagues for our success. But there is a great deal more to do. Nearly a quarter of America’s homeless are veterans – twice the percentage of veterans in our general population. Reducing homelessness among veterans requires a greater commitment and more federal resources."

Gold Star Wives, the national military widows organization, thanking Evans for his leadership in Congress on behalf of the survivors of American servicemen. Evans is being recognized, according to Rose Lee, board chair of the group, for his "leadership role in assisting Gold Star Wives obtain DIC [Disability and Indemnity Compensation] reinstatement for remarried widows whose marriage ended, thus assisting desperate widows in improving their quality of life."

Evans was a co-sponsor of key legislation enacted in 1998. He took reinstatement of DIC benefits a large step further last year, putting reinstatement of these widows’ eligibility for CHAMPVA medical care, education and housing loans into the massive Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.

"If we cannot look after the widows of those who gave our Nation the last full measure of devotion," Evans said, "we would never rest easy. I am proud to have helped reinstate these benefits, taken away as a budget measure by a careless Congress. I am deeply honored to be given this award by these fine ladies."