Statement of Honorable Lane Evans March 18, 1998; 9:30 a.m. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to welcome all of you this morning. It is always a special privilege to hear from the DAV. Nearly 50 years ago President Franklin Delano Roosevelt reminded the good citizens of America that, "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." You, the members of the Disabled American Veterans, remind us that the men and women of our Armed Forces stand ready to make extraordinary sacrifices in order to preserve and protect the freedoms and liberty we too often take for granted. I read your testimony, Commander McDonald, and I share many of your concerns about the Administration's proposed fiscal year 1999 VA budget. On the VBA side, I'm very disappointed that the budget links long, over-due increases in the GI Bill and the education benefits provided for the spouses and children of 100% disabled veterans to enactment of legislation which would eliminate compensation for service-connected tobacco-related disabilities. This is wrong. It is wrong because veterans' programs should be directly funded - and it is wrong to refuse compensation to veterans with disabilities resulting from tobacco addiction acquired while in the military. I am also concerned about the effect of this budget proposal on the future of health care for America's veterans. Eligible veterans - particularly service-connected disabled veterans - must know that they have access to health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. No eligible veteran should have to wonder if his or her care is dependent of VA's ability to collect money from sources other than the Federal government Now it is up to us - the Congress - to ensure that America does not forget the veterans who have suffered and died to protect the privileges we all enjoy. We MUST provide the benefits and services that our veterans - all of YOU - have more than earned. But we cannot do our job without your strong efforts and support. I know the DAV has been persistent in its efforts to remind the Members of the Budget and Appropriations Committees of their responsibility to America's veterans. Keep up your good work. You must fight as hard to preserve and improve the benefits you have earned as you fought for our country. Without your committed work in the legislative arena, your share of the budget and appropriations pies will surely be consumed by others. Again, thank you all for meeting with us today. Commander McDonald, I look
forward to your testimony. |