Last year, at my direction, the Veterans Administration took its services to the battlefield for the first time. VA teams counseled 220,000 fighting men in Vietnam, before they left their post to return home. I have asked the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to step up this program. Late in 1966, the Veterans Administration began visiting sick and wounded servicemen at their bedsides in our military hispitals. Since then, over 17,000 applications for special training and disability payments have been processed on the spot. This program now operates in 110 military hospitals. I have directed the Administrator of Veterans Affairs immediately to expand the program to the entire system of military hospitals. Veterans Administration counseling is also now in operation at 150 military separation points. I have directed the Administrator to extend this program to all 257 such centers. Through these expanded services in hospitals and separation centers, the Veterans Administration can reach more than 70,000 servicemen each month. The remaining task is to make certain all veterans are reached once they have returned to their communities. Consider the man who comes home today. His Government has made a vast array of programs available to him. But what effect are the programs if he cannot find them? And in our major cities, where facilities are often scattered across widely-separated areas, this is a serious problem—particularly for those who need the programs the most. The answer, I believe, lies in an effort we have never tried before for our veterans-the one-stop center. I believe we should locate in one place the offices where a veteran can receive personal attention and counsel on all the benefits the law provides him-from housing to health, from education to employment. I have today ordered that U.S. Assistance Centers be opened in 10 major cities within the coming month. These cities are New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Boston and Atlanta. I propose to have one-stop centers in 10 other cities as soon as possibleBaltimore, Milwaukee, Houston, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Phoenix and Newark. Based on the experience gained in these 20 pilot locations, we look forward to establishing one-stop centers in other cities. We will seek and welcome participation in these centers by State and local officials, and by community organizations engaged in helping the veteran. Military Programs JOBS AND TRAINING A man who has fought for his country deserves gratitude. But gratitude can be no substitute for the job he wants and needs. Particularly is it necessary to assure job opportunities to the veteran who has received few other advantages from life. It is this man who must be the focus of our concern and our attention. We are beginning. We are helping him as he enters the Armed Forces-through Project 100,000— and as he prepares to muster out-in Project Transition. Project 100,000 extends the responsibilities of citizenship and the benefits of military training to young men who would otherwise be rejected because of educational or physical limitations. This program was launched at my direction by the Secretary of Defense in late 1966. In the first year, almost 50,000 disadvantaged young Americans were prepared in Army classrooms and clinics to take their place in basic training. The results of their special training speak in these statistics: 96 percent graduated from basic training, almost the same rate for all trainees, Some have gone on to Non-Commissioned Officer schools. All have gained self-confidence and a sense of achievement which will serve them all the years of their lives. I have asked the Secretary of Defense to enroll 100,000 men in this vital program during its second year. Project Transition gives a boost to disadvantaged men in the six months before they return to civilian life. Men without civilian skills and without education receive a concentrated program of preparation. In classrooms and at work benches, through counseling and job placement services, they are prepared for the road home. I have asked the Secretary of Defense to extend Project Transition-proven in practice at five bases last year-to all principal troop installations in the United States. Our target is to reach 500,000 servicemen in the year ahead and then follow their progress in civilian life. Federal-State Employment Offices Last year I was disturbed to learn that some veterans returning from service to their country had such difficulty finding jobs they had to rely on unemployment compensation. This ought to be corrected. To correct it, in August I directed the Secretary of Labor to give every returning veteran maximum assistance in obtaining useful and rewarding employment. Since that time, a system has been set up which operates in every State, through the network of more than 2,000. Federal-State Employment offices. That system has now made the names and addresses of 230,000 returning veterans available to Employment offices for personal contact. The Secretary of Labor recently told me that early reports from the men, their parents, and Veterans Organizations show the program is achieving good results. It is important that those results continue. It is in America's interest that this program succeed. Civil Service The Federal Government has long set an example for the rest of the nation as a good employer of veterans. Veteran's preference is deeply imbedded in our Civil Service system. But I am convinced that the Federal Government can be even a better employer. Last month I asked the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission to develop an action plan to accomplish this purpose. That plan is now completed. I will shortly sign an Executive Order putting the plan into effect. Its major impact will reach the veteran who needs experience, skill and education. He will be hired on a priority basis to fill jobs open in the first five levels of the Civil Service, without having to compete in the regular examination--provided he agrees to pursue a part-time educational program under the GI Bill. This plan will also help veterans with technical or professional skills who want to work in the middle and upper Civil Service levels. Their applications will be given immediate attention. Veterans In Industry Most veterans, of course, will go into private industry-where six out of every seven Americans are employed. Those returning to old jobs have rights protected under the law. Those seeking new employment—or their first jobs—sometimes find the road difficult. These young Americans, who have done so much for their country, merit the special consideration of the private employer. That consideration cannot be imposed by Government decree-nor should it. It is appropriate, however-particularly in these times when men are being called from their civilian pursuits to defend their country-for leaders of the Government to express their hope that right will be done to those who serve. To help enlarge the opportunities for veterans' employment, I urge the enactment of a joint resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that private employers should give job priority to our returning servicemen. Our objective is to make sure that every serviceman who returns to civilian life today and in the months ahead-no matter where he lives, what background he might have come from, what his hopes and ambitions are will have the education he wants, the training he needs, and the opportunities for the job he is best suited for. With the proposals I have outlined in this Message, I believe we can advance toward that day. VETERANS IN PUBLIC SERVICE If the veteran needs his country's help, the country needs his more. The veteran of Valley Forge knew better than most the value of the nation he was building. The veteran of Antietam knew better than most the value of the Union he helped to heal and save. The veteran of the battles that rage across the mountains and lowlands of Vietnam today knows better than most the value of the freedom he preserves. That man is an asset beyond measure to his nation. Wherever we can, we should containue to enlist him-in service to his community, when military duty is over. To do this, I propose the Veterans In the Public Service Act of 1968. This measure will provide incentives to channel the talents of the veteran to the most urgent needs of rural and urban America today: To teach the children of the poor; To help man understrength police forces and fire departments; To do meaningful work in local hospitals, where skills are short; To fill the ranks of VISTA, to work in Youth Opportunity Centers and in the Concentrated Employment Program. The pattern of benefits will vary, depending on the individual and the occupation pursued. Here is an example of how the program will work for the veteran who wants to teach in a deprived area: While he is getting the schooling that will qualify him for teaching, he will draw additional benefits of $50 a month for every month he agrees to teach-up to three years of such extra benefits. While he is actually on the job teaching, he will draw a special training allowance, in addition to his regular salary-$80 a month for the first school year, $60 a month for the second. Should he decide to pursue a graduate degree while he is still teaching, he could-by continuing to teach beyond the second year-earn additional GI Bill educational benefits. To launch this program, I have included $50 million in the Fiscal 1969 budget. THE HEALING WORK The Veterans Administration operates the nation's largest medical complex— 166 hospitals and their related clinics across the country. Last year, these hospitals and clinics treated almost 800,000 bed patients. Nearly 7 million veterans received outpatient care. Their treatment is of the best quality modern medicine can provide-and it is improving with greater advances in pre-hospital and post-hospital care. But VA medicine not only serves the veteran. Its benefits extend to the entire nation. In research, VA doctors have pioneered in such vital work as heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and organ transplant. In 1955, no money was spent for VA medical research. Now that amount exceeds $45 million. Its gains make it one of the nation's best investments. In medical manpower, the Veterans Administration helps to train nearly half of all the doctors who graduate from medical school today. The number of all medical specialists trained in VA hospitals each year totals some 40,000-including nurses, dentists, and other disciplines ranging from audiologists to social workers, who take their skills to the communities of this country. There is room in the VA system to train even more. And there is a pressing need in the nation for more. I have directed the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to step up the training of medical specialists. To help overcome the medical manpower shortages in America, and at the same time improve care to America's veterans, our goal will be to train as many as 80,000 specialists a year in the VA system. THE U.S. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION Last year, I asked the Administrator of Veterans Affairs-in consultation with veterans' groups-to conduct a comprehensive study of the pension, compensation and benefits system for veterans, their families and their survivors. I asked him to form an Advisory Commission which would evaluate these programs to assure that our tax dollars are being used most wisely, and that the Government is fully meeting its responsibilities. That Commission, composed of 11 distinguished Americans, has now held hearings in cities all across the country. We are looking forward to the recommendations of the Commission. Every veteran who wants it-those who risked their lives at Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima and the DMZ-should have the right to burial in a National Cemetery situated reasonably close to his home, I have asked the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to make certain that the recommendations of the Commission include proposals to assure this right in a meaningful sense. CONCLUSION. More than 20 years ago on the floor of the House of Representatives, I said that it is this nation's responsibility to see to it that "the veteran may return to his community as a free, upstanding and self-reliant citizen.” The times then, as complex as they seemed, were simple in perspective. As President, I have seen-and acted on-the responsibilities unique to our own day. The events of the past week have underscored their gravity. Today, as in times past, it is on America's fighting men that this nation must depend. Their service honors us all. We look to that good day when they will return "as free, upstanding and selfreliant citizens." It is in this spirit of concern for America's veterans that I submit this message to the Congress today. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 30, 1968. LYNDON B. JOHNSON EXCERPT FROM CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, MARCH 14, 1968, DEBATE ON H. RES. 1031 AMENDING HOUSE RESOLUTION 101, 90TH CONGRESS, TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION AND STUDY WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN MATTERS WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION Mr. MADDEN. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1031 and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: HOUSE RESOLUTION 1031 Resolved, That H. Res. 101, Ninetieth Congress, adopted February 21, 1967, is amended by designating the last two paragraphs of such resolution as "SEC. 4." and by inserting immediately preceding such section 4. the following new section: "SEC. 3. The committee is authorized to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of the establishment, operation, and maintenance of cemeteries of the United States in which veterans of any war or conflict are or may be buried, whether in the United States or abroad, except cemeteries administered by the Secretary of the Interior. For the purposes of this section the committee, or any subcommittee therefore, is authorized to sit and act during the present Congress at such times and places within the United States, including any Commonwealth or possession thereof, or elsewhere, as it deems necessary. The committee shall not undertake any investigation of any subject which is being investigated by any other committee of the House." The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Indiana is recognized for 1 hour. Mr. MADDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Smith), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this resolution amends House Resolution 101 of the 90th Congress, which authorizes the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to investigate certain matters within its jurisdiction, and to sit and act within the United States, including any Commonwealth or possession thereof. In addition, the resolution authorizes the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to send not more than five members and two staff assistants to the Philippines and South Vietnam to investigate and study various programs concerning American veterans and servicemen in those areas. On October 20, 1967, the House adopted House Resolution 241, which transferred jurisdiction from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs over cemeteries of the United States in which veterans of any war or conflict are or may be buried, whether in the United States or abroad, except cemeteries administered by the Secretary of the Interior. Consequently, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs now has jurisdiction over cemeteries located in a number of foreign countries such as France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, England, Tunisia, and Italy, to mention a few. House Resolution 1031 would authorize the Committee to investigate and study the establishment, operation, and maintenance of such cemeteries. Mr. Speaker, I urge that House Resolution 1031 be adopted. consume. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may I concur in and agree with the statements made by the gentleman from Indiana and associate myself with them. Mr. Speaker, yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Adair). Mr. ADAIR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, this resolution will amend the investigative authority of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, presently authorized by House Resolution 101, 90th Congress, adopted February 21, 1967, to permit the committee to conduct an investigation and study of the establishment, operation, and maintenance of cemeteries of the United States in which veterans are buried. Members will recall that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs assumed jurisdiction over legislation relating to cemeteries in which veterans are buried on October 20, 1967. Prior to that date, legislative jurisdiction had been vested in the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. I am hopeful that our committee can make a comprehensive study and investigation of the entire cemetery system and that from this study and investigation, a national policy on the burial of veterans and servicemen will evolve. If the committee is to realize this objective, the authority to conduct the investigation and study as set forth in this resolution is necessary. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of House Resolution 1031. (Mr. ADAIR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. SMITH of California. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the resolution. Mr. MADDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. TEAGUE]. (Mr. TEAGUE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks and to include extraneous matter.) Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the resolution which we are considering today is an amendment to House Resolution 101 approved by the House early in the first session which gave the Committee on Veterans' Affairs general authority to make a complete and continuing investigation of various programs coming within its legislation jurisdiction. Last October the House by unanimous vote transferred the subject of national cemeteries, with the exception of those within the Department of the Interior, from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. House Resolution 1031 would amend the original authorizing resolution by authorizing the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to conduct a full and complete investigation of the establishment, operation, and maintenance of cemeteries of the United States in which veterans of any war are or may be buried in the United States or abroad. At the present time there are 82 national cemeteries administered by the Department of the Army located throughout the United States, and 26 of these are presently closed for future burials. The Veterans' Administration operates 21 cemeteries in connection with its hospitals. These cemeteries were inherited at the time of the consolidation of the Veterans' Bureau with the Veterans' Administration back in 1930 from the National Home for Volunteer Soldiers. Five of these cemeteries operated under the auspices of the Veterans' Administration are now closed, and burial in these cemeteries is largely restricted to those dying in Veteran's Administration hospitals and not having suitable places for burial provided by their families. The American Battle Monuments Commission maintains cemeteries overseas in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, England, Italy, Tunisia, the Philippines, and Mexico. |