FOR RELEASE: July 23, 2001

EVANS WELCOMES BUSH ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT TO END HOMELESSNESS IN DECADE; 
REVITALIZE INTERAGENCY COUNCIL
Efforts of Illinois Congressman Gain Important Commitment 

Washington, DC – The Democratic leader of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Congressman Lane Evans (D-IL), has expressed strong approval of remarks by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel R. Martinez endorsing the goal of ending "chronic homelessness" in 10 years and reviving a federal panel aimed at improving services to the nation's homeless.  In March, Evans introduced legislation, H.R. 936, which established the goal of ending homelessness among veterans within a decade.  Evans’ legislation, the Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act, has earned the bipartisan support of more than 125 members of the House of Representatives.  

          More recently, Evans authored a letter to President Bush urging the President to revitalize the federal Interagency Council on the Homeless.  The letter to Bush was cosigned by 29 other members of Congress. 

          In announcing the reactivation of the Interagency Council on the Homeless, Martinez pledged the council will have a staff director within a week and be provided a budget of $500,000.  “The decision to staff and fund the Interagency Council on the Homeless is very welcome news,” Evans said.  “I am pleased President Bush has responded promptly to my recommendation to revitalize the Interagency Council on the Homeless.” 

Evans noted that on December 14, 2000, he sent his first letter to then President-elect Bush on behalf of ending homelessness among veterans.  In his letter, Evans told President-elect Bush, “Early in the 107^th session of Congress I will be introducing legislation to assist homeless veterans.  Specifically, this measure will establish a national goal of eliminating homelessness among veterans within a decade and authorize the programs and resources needed to achieve this goal.  I believe we are morally obligated to assist those who have served us in uniform and provide the full extent of programs and services needed to assist homeless veterans to once again become productive citizens.”

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