The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VETERANS CONSORTIUM
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HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 30th anniversary of The Veterans Consortium, a nonprofit organization providing pro bono services to our nation's veterans with cases pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).
The Veterans Consortium was established after the first Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims encouraged Congress to create a program to provide veterans with suitable legal representation before the Court--and help them receive every dollar in benefits they are entitled to.
A competitive grant was awarded to The Veterans Consortium for the formation of a legal services corporation to carry out Congress's wishes. Although today it is an independent nonprofit, The Veterans Consortium's founding members are four hallmark veterans advocacy organizations: The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, National Veterans Legal Services Program, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Over the past 3 decades, The Veterans Consortium has become one of the most prominent organizations providing pro bono services for veterans' claims, with almost 6,000 volunteer attorneys having delivered over $400 million in rightful benefits, care, and compensation to American veterans. They did so by astoundingly winning over 83 percent of their appeals cases.
While this number demonstrates the effectiveness of the Consortium, it also underscores significant room for improvement in the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits determination process. That's what makes the work of The Veterans Consortium so important.
As Chair of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations subcommittee, I have the distinct honor and responsibility of leading the only committee in Congress that cares for our servicemembers through their entire lifecycle: both during and after their service.
I'm proud to work with our VSOs to ensure those who have risked their lives for this Nation are supported throughout their transition to civilian life and are able to age with dignity. A critical component of that work is ensuring the Veterans Benefits Administration is adequately funded and that our veterans receive the benefits they need and are entitled to.
We know the benefits and claims process is in dire need of reform, and it has been for years now. That is why I will continue working with VA Secretary McDonough to improve upon the existing system, and by conducting rigorous oversight of all VA agencies to ensure they are spending the money we provide effectively.
Congress can honor our veterans--and the decades of committed work of The Veterans Consortium--by legislating and using the power of the purse to make sure the benefits and claims process is working for those who served their country. For all that veterans sacrifice for this Nation, the least we can do is ensure they receive the benefits they were promised and deserve.
Congratulations to the Veterans Consortium and the TVC National Volunteer Corps on 30 impactful years, and I thank them for all the critically important work they do.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 112(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 112(2)
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