IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 656 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and the Congress should 

take immediate action to implement the recommendations of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors, 

and other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 

Mr. WALSH of New York submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined 

by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 

within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Defense, and the Congress should take immediate action 

to implement the recommendations of the President’s 

Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded 

Warriors, and other purposes. 

Whereas the President, by Executive Order 13426, dated 

March 6, 2007, established a Commission on Care for 

America’s Returning Wounded Warriors; 

Whereas the President authorizes the Commission to complete a comprehensive review of the care provided to 


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•HRES 656 IH 

members of the Armed Forces returning from the Global 

War on Terror from the time they leave the battlefield 

through their return to civilian life; 

Whereas the mission of the Commission includes— 

(1) examining the transition of returning wounded 

members of the Armed Forces from the Global War on 

Terror to their successful return to productive military 

service or civilian society, and recommending needed improvements; 

(2) evaluating the coordination, management, and 

adequacy of the delivery of health care, disability, traumatic injury, education, employment, and other benefits 

and services to such service members by Federal agencies 

and by the private sector, and recommending needed improvements to ensure that programs provide high-quality 

services; 

(3) analyzing the effectiveness of existing outreach 

to such service members regarding such benefits and 

services, evaluating service members’ awareness of and 

their ability to access these benefits and services, and 

identifying ways to reduce barriers to and gaps in these 

benefits and services; and 

(4) consulting with foundations, veterans service organizations, nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, 

and other entities, as appropriate; 

Whereas over the course of 41⁄2 months, the Commission carried out its mission and responsibilities as directed in the 

President’s Executive order; 

Whereas the Commission visited Department of Defense facilities, Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, and 

other care sites across the United States; 


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•HRES 656 IH 

Whereas the Commission took testimony from injured members of the Armed Forces, their families, professionals 

who provide medical and rehabilitative services, and administrators of programs serving such service members, 

among others; 

Whereas following the Commission’s investigation into the 

care provided to America’s returning wounded warriors, 

the Commission briefed the President on July 25, 2007; 

Whereas on July 31, 2007, the Commission transmitted its 

final report to the President, the Congress, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, 

and veterans service organizations; and 

Whereas the Commission recommended six action steps and 

recommended that the Congress, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs immediately 

implement those steps: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, that— 

2 (1) the House of Representatives expresses 

3 its— 

4 (A) appreciation and support for the work 

5 of the President’s Commission on Care for 

6 America’s Returning Wounded Warriors; and 

7 (B) deep appreciation for the continued 

8 sacrifice of United States service members and 

9 their families; 

10 (2) the House of Representatives reiterates its 

11 commitment to meeting the present and future 


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•HRES 656 IH 

1 needs of United States service members and their 

2 families; and 

3 (3) it is the sense of the House of Representa4 tives that— 

5 (A) the Congress should take immediate 

6 action to implement the Commission’s rec7 ommendations for which Federal legislation is 

8 required; 

9 (B) the Secretary of Defense should take 

10 immediate action to implement the Commis11 sion’s recommendations that require action by 

12 the Department of Defense; 

13 (C) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

14 should take immediate action to implement the 

15 Commission’s recommendations that require ac16 tion by the Department of Veterans Affairs; 

17 and 

18 (D) the Congress, the Secretary of De19 fense, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

20 should continue working together to ensure the 

21 proper continuum of care for returning wound22 ed members of the Armed Forces and their 

23 families. 

Æ 


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