Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today with great joy to congratulate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on its 75th anniversary. Through its tireless work on behalf of this Nation's veterans, VA has certainly lived up to the words of the great President Abraham Lincoln, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and his widow, and his orphan." During its first 75 years, VA has done much to benefit not only veterans and their families, but also the nation as a whole.
On June 22, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Montgomery GI Bill into public law. Since then, the GI Bill has been updated and modernized several times. This far-reaching legislation has helped improve the lives of over 20 million veterans through educational programs, home loan guarantees, unemployment compensation, and other benefits. It is estimated that over the lifetime of the average veteran, the U.S. Treasury receives 2 to 8 times the income tax from the average veteran than was spent on the veteran's GI Bill benefits. The GI Bill is undoubtedly one of the most important pieces of legislation in this Nation's great history.
VA has also established a legacy of first rate health care for our veterans. A recent study by the RAND Corporation found that VA outpaces private health care systems in delivering care to patients. RAND observed that VA patients were more likely to receive recommended health services than patients using a private provider. The study also concluded that VA patients consistently receive better care across the board, including screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Additionally, VA's Medical and Prosthetics Research Program has led to substantial advances in prosthetics, traumatic injury, post traumatic stress disorder, as well as many other areas that have helped our veterans over the years. This research has also led to discoveries in medicine that effect both veterans and the general population, such as cancer, aging, mental illness, and heart disease. In fact, past VA research projects have resulted in the first successful kidney transplant performed in the U.S., as well as the development of the cardiac pacemaker, a vaccine for hepatitis, and the CAT and MRI scans.
Another function of VA is overseeing our National Cemetery System. VA has helped create and manage a network of Federal and state cemeteries that provides deceased veterans with a respectful and peaceful final resting place.
Mr. President, the far-reaching accomplishments that I briefly highlighted are just a few cornerstones of the Department's legacy. With the current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, we appreciate even more the quality work that VA does for our veterans. And the current operations should also be a reminder to VA and Congress of the burdens our veterans face because of their sacrifices to protect our freedoms and liberties.
I am extremely proud of the work VA has done, and I hope that through greater cooperation between Congress and the Administration, we can expand upon VA's legacy and address the current needs of our veterans. I must also highlight the dedication of the staff that has worked at VA over the years. An agency as massive as VA would cease to function without quality leadership and staff. Many of VA's staff have a deep and passionate commitment to providing quality health care and benefits for our veterans.
Our nation's veterans and servicemembers deserve nothing less than top quality health care and benefits. I am sure that Congress and VA can work together to fulfill this obligation. Once again, I congratulate VA on 75 years of service to our veterans. Thank you, Mr. President.
