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 Presi-
dent’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 re-
ferred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Com-
mittee 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 De-
fense, 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 com-
plete 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 im-
provements; 
(2) evaluating the coordination, management, and 
adequacy of the delivery of health care, disability, trau-
matic injury, education, employment, and other benefits 
and services to such service members by Federal agencies 
and by the private sector, and recommending needed im-
provements 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 or-
ganizations, nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, 
and other entities, as appropriate; 
Whereas over the course of 41⁄2 months, the Commission car-
ried out its mission and responsibilities as directed in the 
President’s Executive order; 
Whereas the Commission visited Department of Defense fa-
cilities, 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 mem-
bers of the Armed Forces, their families, professionals 
who provide medical and rehabilitative services, and ad-
ministrators 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 Depart-
ment 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 De-
fense, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs immediately 
implement those steps: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, that— 
(1) the House of Representatives expresses 
its— 
(A) appreciation and support for the work 
of the President’s Commission on Care for 
America’s Returning Wounded Warriors; and 
(B) deep appreciation for the continued 
sacrifice of United States service members and 
their families; 
(2) the House of Representatives reiterates its 
commitment to meeting the present and future 
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•HRES 656 IH 
needs of United States service members and their 
families; and 
(3) it is the sense of the House of Representa-
tives that— 
(A) the Congress should take immediate 
action to implement the Commission’s rec-
ommendations for which Federal legislation is 
required; 
(B) the Secretary of Defense should take 
immediate action to implement the Commis-
sion’s recommendations that require action by 
the Department of Defense; 
(C) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
should take immediate action to implement the 
Commission’s recommendations that require ac-
tion by the Department of Veterans Affairs; 
and 
(D) the Congress, the Secretary of De-
fense, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
should continue working together to ensure the 
proper continuum of care for returning wound-
ed members of the Armed Forces and their 
families. 
Æ 
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