Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation that would provide continuous care to those veterans that have been affected by Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst natural disasters that our country has ever experienced. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has played an integral role in the disaster relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina, beginning with the successful evacuation of patients, staff and family members, and now in the recovery stage of the aftermath.

Earlier today, I attended a briefing given by VA Secretary Nicholson and other VA officials on VA's response to the hurricane. VA truly stepped up in the midst of this crisis, and successfully evacuated all of their patients and staff without any loss of life. I commend VA for their coordination and execution of their relief effort. The Department should serve as a model for other government agencies in dealing with disasters.

There is one area, however, where I believe even more can be done to help veterans in Louisiana and Mississippi who have been affected by this tragedy. The legislation I'm introducing will extend a humanitarian hand to those middle-income veterans in the region who do not have access to VA health care because of a decision made by this Administration in 2003. The bill extends hospital care and medical services to the Priority 8 veterans affected by Hurricane Katrina, who have previously been denied access to the system.

Veterans residing in areas of New Orleans, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi; or Gulfport, Mississippi, during the hurricane -- who have most likely lost everything in this disaster -- will be able to find solace in knowing that VA will continue to be there for them even after the media attention fades. It would simply be wrong to exclude these men and women who have served our country from VA services, especially now in their time of need. This bill also serves to relieve some of the financial burden placed on the veterans by waiving copayments for care and medications.

Mr. President, VA's mission is to take care of veterans and also to provide support to other federal agencies during times of disaster. VA has upheld that mission by establishing a legacy of first rate health care for veterans and now through the response efforts to Hurricane Katrina. We can do more for these veterans by allowing VA to serve as a beacon of hope in their time of recovery.

I would like to thank the countless VA volunteers that have answered the call of duty to our nation, just as our veterans once did. These volunteers have left their duty stations to support efforts at the surrounding VA hospitals that have taken on the evacuated patients, as well as manning the mobile clinics currently touring the affected areas to provide care. These men and women are true heroes.

I ask Unanimous Consent that the full text of the bill be printed in the Record. Thank you, Mr. President.