I want to take this opportunity first to thank you for meeting with me yesterday.  With more than 105,000 veterans and the most military bases in any congressional district; I am duly committed to ensuring we care for our heroic service men and women during and after their service.  I am confident that you will bring an energy to this position that has been lacking in the past. 

I have always been a strong supporter of the GI Bill, and am excited to be a part of implementing the new Post 9/11 GI Bill.  Many of our veterans are unaware of the tremendous education benefits available to them under the new bill, and it would be a tragedy if they were not informed of them.  Mr. Secretary, how will the VA ensure that all aspects of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill are not only implemented on time, but that the program’s details are made available to all veterans?

I lived in Iraq for most of 2007, and I recently returned from a bipartisan CODEL to Baghdad.  While the violence in Iraq has subsided, the number of veterans will continue to climb. When active duty soldiers are discharged, the transition from a DOD based system to a VA based system can take months, and in some cases, years.   Section 1618 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act required “planning for the seamless transition of [Members of the Armed Forces] from care through the Department of Defense to care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.”  In light of recent reports of increased suicide by members of the Armed Forces and the pervasive issue of traumatic brain injury, what steps are you taking to ensure a more seamless transition for our heroic men and women?

As you know, more veterans who fought in Vietnam have committed suicide than were killed in action.  This is an absolute tragedy.  Recently, suicide rates among newly returned veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the highest in recorded history.  How can we better address mental health issues, and make certain our service men and women are receiving the care they deserve? 

In addition, I would like to invite you down to the Hampton Roads region of Virginia so you may witness firsthand how we are working together to better serve our veteran community.  One example is Vets House, a nonprofit organization that provides housing, food, clothing and counseling services to homeless veterans.  Vets House is an exciting project that has done great things for our local veterans and has helped facilitate their return to gainful and productive lives.

Again, Mr. Secretary, I want to thank you for taking the time to speak before our Committee today.  One of my main goals in Congress is to continually fight for the rights and benefits of the brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. The contributions they make to our lives cannot be overstated.  I look forward to working with you to accomplish this shared goal.  Thank you.