VFW Washington Weekly
December 7, 2007

In This Issue:

1. Senate VA Committee Holds Hearing on Peake Nomination
2. VFW Testifies in Support of Vietnam Education Center
3. House Passes Small Business Legislation for Vets
4. Army Hotline Puts Soldiers First

1. Senate VA Committee Holds Hearing on Peake Nomination:

On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee heard testimony from VA Secretary Nominee Dr. James Peake. Peake, a retired Army lieutenant general and the former Army surgeon general from 2000 to 2004, was nominated by President Bush in October after then VA Secretary Nicholson resigned. The committee members questioned Peake on his positions on several critical issues facing today's VA to include VA funding, claims backlog, mental health, GI Bill, seamless transition and updating the VA ratings schedule. A vote to confirm Dr. Peake by the Committee and full Senate has not yet been schedule but is expected to occur before Congress adjourns for the year.

For more on the hearing go to the Senate VA website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?pageid=16

2. VFW Testifies in Support of Vietnam Education Center:

This week, the VFW testified before the National Planning Commission in support of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center. The center will teach America's youth about duty, honor and sacrifice and educate every visitor on the true history of the Vietnam War. In November of 2003 Congress passed a bill authorizing the construction of the underground educational center near the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The Wall' is the most visited site in Washington, with more than 4 million people visiting annually to honor those who served and died in the Vietnam War.

3. House Passes Small Business Legislation for Vets:

VFW supported legislation that would expand Small Business Administration programs for veterans and military reservists by authorizing $4.4 million to support Veterans Business Outreach Centers passed the House 407-2. The legislation would also extend the deadline for small businesses to apply for economic injury disaster loans for military deployments from three months to a year, something the VFW has called critical to the guard and reserve units serving. Currently 4 million veterans own small businesses, making up about 14 percent of all such enterprises.

4. Army Hotline Puts Soldiers First:

The Army's Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline has answered more than 8,000 calls from soldiers, veterans and families since it was created March 19 in the aftermath of the Walter Reed debacle. The hotline gives wounded, injured or ill soldiers and their families a way to share concerns about the quality of their care. It does not circumvent the chain of command, but gives soldiers additional means to resolve medical-related issues. The majority of calls are about medical issues, but the hotline also receives calls about personnel, legal, financial and other issues, most of which fall under the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The toll-free Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline is 1-800-984-9523 or DSN 312-328-0002. It is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.