Veterans

▸ Agencies

Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington, 3700N. Capitol St. N.W. 20011-8400; (202) 730-3556. Fax, (202) 730-3492. David Watkins, Director. Toll-free, (800) 422-9988.

General e-mail, publicaffairs@afrh.gov

Web, http://www.afrh.gov

Gives domiciliary and medical care to retired members of the armed services or career service personnel unable to earn a livelihood. Formerly known as U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. (Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Miss., is being rebuilt and will reopen in 2010.)

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Center for Minority Veterans (Veterans Affairs Dept.), 810 Vermont Ave. N.W. 20420; (202) 461-6191. Fax, (202) 273-7092. Lucretia M. McClenney, Director.

Web, http://wwwl.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans

Advises the secretary on adoption and implementation of policies and programs affecting minority veterans, specifically Pacific Islander, Asian American, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian, veterans.

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Center for Women Veterans (Veterans Affairs Dept.), 810 Vermont Ave. N.W., #435, MC-OOW 20420; (202) 461-6193. Fax, (202) 273-7092. Irene Trow ell-Harris, Director.

Web, http://wwwl.va.gov/womenvet

Advises the secretary and promotes research on matters related to women veterans; seeks to ensure that women veterans receive benefits and services on par with those of male veterans.

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Veterans Affairs Dept. (VA), 810 Vermont Ave. N.W., MC-00 20420; (202) 461-4800. Fax, (202) 495-5463. Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary; W Scott Gould, Deputy Secretary. Press, (202) 461-7500. Locator, (202) 273-5400.

Web, http://www.va.gov

Administers programs benefiting veterans, including disability compensation, pensions, education, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation, medical care at veterans' hospitals and outpatient facilities, and burial benefits.

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Veterans Affairs Dept. (VA), National Cemetery Administration, 810 Vermont Ave. N.W., #400 20420; (202) 273-5146. Fax, (202) 273-6709. Steve Muro, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs (Acting). Information on burial eligibility, (800) 827-1000.

Web, http://www.cem.va.gov

Administers VA national cemeteries; furnishes markers and headstones for deceased veterans; administers [Page 535][Page 536]state grants to establish, expand, and improve veterans' cemeteries. Provides presidential memorial certificates to next of kin.

Veterans Affairs Department

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Veterans Affairs Dept., (VA), Policy and Planning, 810 Vermont Ave. N.W., #300, MS 008 20420; (202) 461-5800. Fax, (202) 273-5993. Karen W. Pane, Assistant Secretary (Acting).

Web, http://www.va.gov

Serves as the single, departmentwide repository, clearinghouse, and publication source for veterans' demographic and statistical information. Manages policy and planning processes; supplies policymakers with analytical reports on improving services for veterans and their families.

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Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), (Veterans Affairs Dept.), 1800 G St. N.W. 20223 (mailing address: 810 Vermont Ave. N.W., #520, Washington, DC 20420); (202) 461-9301. Fax, (202) 275-3591. Patrick W Dunne, Under Secretary. Toll-free insurance hotline, (800) 669-8477.

Web, http://www.vba.va.gov

Administers nonmedical benefits programs for veterans and their dependents and survivors. Benefits include veterans' compensation and pensions, survivors' benefits, education and rehabilitation assistance, home loan benefits, insurance coverage, and burials. (Directs benefits delivery nationwide through regional offices and veterans' insurance offices in Philadelphia and St. Paul.)

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Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), (Veterans Affairs Dept.), Compensation and Pension Service, 810 Vermont Ave. N.W., #645, MS 21 20420; (202) 461-9700. Fax, (202) 275-5661. Brad Mayes, Director. Toll-free, (800) 827-1000.

Web, http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/index.htm

Administers disability payments; handles claims for burial and plot allowances by veterans' survivors. Provides information on and assistance with benefits legislated by Congress for veterans of active military, naval, or air service.

▸ Congress

For a listing of relevant congressional committees and subcommittees, please see page 513 or the Appendix.

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