In discharging the nation's obligation to our veterans, during the past
eight years there have been:
The readjustment of World War II veterans was completed, and the five
million Korean conflict veterans were assisted in achieving successful
readjustment to civilian life;
Increases in compensation benefits for all eligible veterans with service
connected disabilities;
Higher non-service connected pension benefits for needy veterans;
Greatly improved benefits to survivors of veterans dying in or as a result
of service;
Authorization, by Presidential directive, of an increase in the number of
beds available for sick and disabled veterans;
Development of a 12-year, $900 million construction program to modernize
and improve our veterans hospitals;
New modern techniques brought into the administration of Veterans Affairs
to provide the highest quality service possible to those who have defended
us.