Establishes as an independent commission the Commission on America and its Veterans to: (1) submit to the President and Congress suggestions for ceremonies and events to acknowledge the wars recently fought and the heroism displayed by members of the Armed Forces; (2) report to the President and Congress on Commission findings, conclusions, and recommendations with respect to any deficiency in how the United States welcomes back such members; (3) begin convening conversations on the effect of war on members, their families, and the local communities, as well as addressing the reintegration experience and the gap between the military, veterans, and civilian life; and (4) submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommendations regarding activities of the Office of Armed Services and Veterans Public Outreach (established under this Act).
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1492 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1492
To establish the Commission on America and its Veterans.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 11, 2013
Mr. McDermott (for himself, Mr. Blumenauer, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Farr, Ms.
Norton, Mr. Jones, Mr. Rush, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Ryan of Ohio,
Ms. Sinema, Mr. Enyart, Mr. Cicilline, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr.
Vargas, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Lee of California, and Mr. McNerney)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services,
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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Commission on America and its Veterans.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
There is established an independent commission in the executive
branch to be known as the ``Commission on America and its Veterans''
(referred to in this Act as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) After more than a decade of war, and much work to help
members of the Armed Forces returning home from the
battlefield, the United States needs a wider and more thorough
process for welcoming members back, taking care of their needs,
and reintegrating them into society.
(2) Many initiatives exist that provide help for the men
and women who have fought, but there are gaps in our support
for veterans that need to be addressed.
(3) The United States has waged wars, but not all are
involved in fighting those wars, and the United States needs to
be more deeply and regularly connected with members and their
experiences in war and returning from war.
(4) Veterans contribute mightily to the society of the
United States but many veterans endure ongoing psychological
trauma, challenges with employment, crime and dislocation, and
veterans' families and communities are also faced with the
after-effects of war in ways that need to be publicly
addressed.
(5) The Nation needs a whole-of-society approach to
improving the veteran's position in society, and improving how
we welcome veterans when they return, and improving veterans'
experience when they come back, and do so in a way that helps
veterans, their families, and their communities.
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall--
(1) not later than January 31, 2014, submit to the
President and Congress a report suggesting ceremonies and
events to be held throughout the United States to acknowledge
the wars recently fought and for the heroism displayed by
members of the Armed Forces and the costs in lives and injuries
paid by members, families, and communities;
(2) not later than December 31, 2014, submit to the
President and Congress a report on the findings, conclusions,
and legislative or other recommendations of the Commission with
respect to any deficiency in how the United States welcomes
back members of the Armed Forces returning home, including--
(A) by studying the entirety of the reintegration
experience on the member, the family of the member, and
the community of the member to identify any such
deficiencies that can be addressed to make such
reintegration a complete and positive experience; and
(B) with a particular emphasis on the effects of
post-traumatic stress and the other social and health
issues of members and veterans;
(3) not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, begin convening conversations throughout the
United States--
(A) on the effect of war on members, the families
of members, and the communities of members; and
(B) addressing the reintegration experience and the
gap between the military, veterans, and civilian life;
and
(4) beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and at regular intervals
thereafter during the life of the Commission, including a final
report at the end of such life, submit to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs recommendations regarding the Office of Armed
Services and Veterans Public Outreach established under section
9, including how to best conduct an ongoing interaction between
members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians,
particularly with young people, in which members and veterans
share their stories and the effect of their service and
reintegration experience directly with civilians and for
recorded history.
(b) Interim Reports.--The Commission may submit to the President
and Congress interim reports containing such findings, conclusions, and
recommendations as have been agreed to by a majority of Commission
members.
SEC. 4. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION.
(a) Members.--The Commission shall be composed of 18 members as
follows:
(1) One member, who shall serve as chairman of the
Commission, shall be appointed by the President.
(2) One member, who shall serve as vice chairman of the
Commission, shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(3) Four members shall be appointed by the majority leader
of the Senate.
(4) Four members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives (in addition to the one member
appointed under paragraph (2)).
(5) Four members shall be appointed by the minority leader
of the Senate.
(6) Four members shall be appointed by the minority leader
of the House of Representatives.
(b) Qualifications.--
(1) Expertise.--Members of the Commission shall be
appointed from among individuals who have personally and
professionally experienced the effects of war on the Armed
Forces, families, and society.
(2) Nongovernmental appointees.--Members of the Commission
may not be an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
(3) Veterans included.--Not less than one member of the
Commission appointed under each of paragraphs (3) through (6)
of subsection (a) shall be a veteran.
(4) Deadline for appointment.--Members of the Commission
shall be appointed not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(c) Vacancies.--Except as provided in subsection (e)(3) with
respect to a quorum, any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its
powers. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in
which the original appointment was made.
(d) Compensation.--
(1) Pay.--Except as provided by paragraph (2), members of
the Commission shall serve without pay.
(2) Travel expenses.--Each member shall receive travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, including section
5703.
(e) Initial Meeting; Rules of Procedure; Quorum.--
(1) Initial meeting.--The Commission shall hold the initial
meeting of the Commission not later than 60 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Meetings.--After the initial meeting under paragraph
(1), the Commission shall meet at the call of the chairman or a
majority of members.
(3) Quorum.--Ten members of the Commission shall constitute
a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.
(4) Rules of procedure.--The Commission may establish rules
for the conduct of the business of the Commission, if such
rules are not inconsistent with this Act or other applicable
law.
SEC. 5. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings.--For the purpose of carrying out this Act, the
Commission (or on the authority of the Commission, any subcommittee,
member, or designated staff thereof), may hold such hearings and sit
and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such
evidence, and administer such oaths as the Commission considers
appropriate. The Commission shall hold not less than one hearing in
each of the several States and the District of Columbia and may hold
hearings in any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United
States as the Commission determines appropriate.
(b) Contracting.--To the extent or in the amounts provided in
advance in appropriation Acts, the Commission may enter into contracts
to enable the Commission to carry out the responsibilities of the
Commission under this Act.
(c) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure
directly from any department or agency of the United States information
necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the
chairman of the Commission, the chairman of any subcommittee created by
a majority of the Commission, or any member designated by a majority of
the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish
that information to the Commission.
(d) Assistance From Federal Agencies.--
(1) General services administration.--Upon the request of
the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall
provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the
administrative support services and other services necessary
for the Commission to carry out the responsibilities of the
Commission under this Act.
(2) Other departments and agencies.--In addition to the
assistance described in paragraph (1), the head of any
department or agency of the United States may provide to the
Commission such services, funds, facilities, staff, and other
support services as they may determine advisable and as may be
authorized by law.
(e) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts,
bequests, or devises of services or property, both real and personal,
for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission.
Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of other
property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall be deposited in
the Treasury and shall be available for disbursement upon order of the
chairman, vice chairman, or designee.
(f) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.
SEC. 6. STAFF.
(a) In General.--
(1) Appointment and compensation.--The chairman, in
accordance with rules agreed upon by the Commission, shall
appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such
other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to
carry out the responsibilities of the Commission, without
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
governing appointments in the competitive service, and without
regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of
chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General
Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this
subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a
position at level III of the Executive Schedule under section
5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Personnel as federal employees.--The executive director
and any employee of the Commission (not including members
appointed under section 4(a)) shall be employees under section
2105 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of chapters
63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title.
(b) Detailees.--Any employee of the Federal Government may be
detailed by the head of the department or agency of the employee to the
Commission without reimbursement from the Commission, and such detailee
shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of the detailee's
regular employment without interruption.
(c) Expert and Consultant Services.--The Commission may procure the
services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of
title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate
paid a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(d) Volunteer Services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31,
United States Code, the Commission may accept and use voluntary and
uncompensated services as the Commission determines necessary.
SEC. 7. NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.
(a) In General.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)
shall not apply to the Commission.
(b) Public Meetings and Release of Public Versions of Reports.--The
Commission shall--
(1) hold public hearings and meetings to the extent
appropriate; and
(2) release public versions of the reports required under
section 3.
(c) Public Hearings.--Any public hearings of the Commission shall
be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information
provided to or developed for or by the Commission as required by any
applicable law, regulation, or Executive order.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
(a) Termination.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall terminate on May 31,
2016.
(2) Administrative activities before termination.--The
Commission may use the 60-day period preceding the date on
which it terminates under paragraph (1) for the purpose of
concluding its activities, including providing testimony to
committees of Congress concerning its reports and disseminating
the final report.
SEC. 9. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF ARMED SERVICES AND VETERANS PUBLIC
OUTREACH.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs an Office of Armed
Services and Veterans Public Outreach (in this section referred to as
the ``Office'').
(b) Duties.--The Office shall work with the Armed Forces, veterans
service organizations, the private and public sectors, nonprofit
organizations, local educational agencies, and other organizations to
help match veterans and members of the Armed Forces with civilian
audiences in order for private and nonprofit organizations to conduct
ongoing interactions between members, veterans, and civilians,
particularly with young people, in which members and veterans share
their stories and the effect of their service and reintegration
experience directly with civilians and for recorded history.
SEC. 10. FUNDING.
This Act shall not be construed to increase the amount of
appropriations that are authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal
year.
SEC. 11. VETERAN DEFINED.
In this section, the term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that
term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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