Rep. Chet Edwards Holds a Hearing On Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations for Agencies Under the Subcommittee On Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies' Jurisdiction

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Rep. Chet Edwards Holds a Hearing On Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations for Agencies Under the Subcommittee On Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies' Jurisdiction

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES HOLDS A HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2008 APPROPRIATIONS FOR AGENCIES UNDER ITS JURISDICTION

MARCH 21, 2007

SPEAKERS: REP. CHET EDWARDS, D-TEXAS CHAIRMAN REP. SAM FARR, D-CALIF. REP. NORM DICKS, D-WASH. REP. ALAN B. MOLLOHAN, D-W.VA. REP. PATRICK J. KENNEDY, D-R.I. REP. ALLEN BOYD, D-FLA. REP. SANFORD D. BISHOP JR., D-GA. REP. MARION BERRY, D-ARK. REP. DAVID R. OBEY, D-WIS. EX OFFICIO

REP. ROGER WICKER, R-MISS. RANKING MEMBER REP. ANDER CRENSHAW, R-FLA. REP. C.W. BILL YOUNG, R-FLA. REP. JOHN CARTER, R-TEXAS REP. KAY GRANGER, R-TEXAS REP. JERRY LEWIS, R-CALIF. EX OFFICIO

WITNESSES: CHRISTOPHER COLENDA, FORMER PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY

AMY S. PALLER, PROFESSOR, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY FOR INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY

STEVEN J. BRECKLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SCIENCE, AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

CAROLYN RABINOWITZ, PRESIDENT-ELECT, AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION,

SUZANNE C. LAREAU, REGISTERED NURSE, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CLINIC, TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY

JESSICA PERDEW, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS, NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION

JOHN R. DAVIS, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMS, FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION

RICHARD F. WEIDMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR POLICY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA TERRI E. WEAVER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

RODNEY C. LESTER, FORMER PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS

RICK JONES, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES

GALEN TOEWS, PROFESSOR AND CHIEF, DIVISION OF PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF FRIENDS OF V.A. MEDICAL CARE AND RESEARCH

RICK CURRY, JESUIT BROTHER, AND FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, NATIONAL THEATER WORKSHOP OF THE HANDICAPPED

JERRY COCHRAN, DISABLED NAVY VIETNAM VETERAN, AND FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VETERANS OUTREACH FOUNDATION

STEVE ROBERTSON, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIVISION, THE AMERICAN LEGION

KIMO HOLLINGSWORTH, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, AMVETS

JOSEPH VIOLANTE, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

CARL BLAKE, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA

DENNIS CULLINAN, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

[*] FARR: Good afternoon. The subcommittee will come to order.

My name is Sam Farr. I am going to be chairing this committee today because Mr. Edwards is unable to attend the hearing because he is chair of another hearing that he is at.

This afternoon, we are going to hear from public witnesses representing various nongovernmental organizations. It is really a highlight for this committee to be able to have so many people who are interested in veteran's issues and issues in the Department of Defense.

We have had a lot of people that wanted to speak today, but because of time constraints, we have asked each of you to limit your testimony to no more than five minutes. The only way we can ever get through this hearing is to be really strict about that time. I will have to gavel you down. We will try to hold the questions of committee members until the end.

We have copies of your testimony, and it would really be beneficial to our committee if you really just didn't read the testimony, but just stated your point, sort of what I call people come to see us; they want an "ask." What is it you want us to do?

I would like to ask our ranking member, Mr. Wicker, if he has any opening remarks that he would like to make before we hear from the witnesses.

WICKER: No, sir. I am just delighted to be here and have these wonderful Americans with ...

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