>> i do. >> in general, thank you once again, i enjoyed the testimony from senator moran, why do you think the veterans are reluctant to share their experiences with a clinician, and you're finding that during -- your situation the semper fi odyssey, and during that week, you found that so many folks have actually opened up? why do you think that -- is it a trust issue, is it just -- what is it? >> yes, it's a trust issue. the issue, the combat -- obviously there's operational stress -- >> can i add one thing to that? >> what do you think the va could do to establish the bond that you have? >> i think the issue is a lot -- it is a trust issue. a lack of trust. it's the fact that quite honestly, many clinicians do not understand the nuances of combat stress. some of the tools that have been built now are much like a

traumatic event. combat stress is very different and very personal. it's something that people have to have a feeling of trust with someone else to share those experiences. the longer the person waits for the reconciliation process, the more difficult the problem may be. the answer to what i think they can do, i think we need to provide more opportunities like we're doing at semper fi odyssey for some of these people in the mental health community. i don't think that 1900 more people or 3400 more people are going to solve the problem, unless you're hiring a person that really can in fact connect to the individual that will inspire him or her to share their perspective. >> thank you. thank you all very much. >> dr. scohn, at this committee's mental health committee meeting, you said you were not aware of not fully

reporting waiting times. you heard the testimony about the manchester va regularly using loopholes to meet their mental health measures at the expense of veterans. now that you've listened to his testimony, i want to ask you the same question that i asked you in november. do you believe that va facilities are gaming the system and not fully reporting wait times? >> senator, i would say that we have zero tolerance for that, and we are going to continue our audits and reviews to ensure with additional training of scheduling practices, that this is not occurring. this is certainly not a practice that can be condoned. >> well, you heard mr. torentino, he talked about the manchester va increasing their mental health work load numbers in order to get additional

resources, despite not having enough staff to support that growth. the quality over quantity that i believe you stated. and the result is, veterans not getting the care they need. i'm really shocked that the va allowed providers to be put in that kind of dilemma where they have to chose following directions from their leadership or following the ethics of their profession. what are you going to do to ensure that the quality of care is not being sacrificed as you continue to meet these timeliness standards. >> i think it's a multifold approach going-forward that we are underway and have been implementing here. first, we need to ensure with the staffing model that we will continue to perfect, that we have sufficient staffing on board to serve the veterans needs. we also need to look as dr. day said earlier at the productivity event. there's a productivity directive

that is being developed to ensure that care is being rendered in a productive way. second, we need to make sure that we have the measures in place to ensure that the veterans are receiving timely care in accordance with their condition. and if i might just go back to an earlier discussion with senator brown, as we were discussing those veterans who are most critically at need who are urgently in need of crisis, i feel so strongly that we should be sure to respond to those, but certainly in the case where we would not have an in patient psychiatric bed available we would feed that out to the private community. that is something that should happen in order to ensure the veteran is cared for, but it's fundamentally important that we get disability for this, and in

the conversation with senator brown, what i was trying to emphasize is that we must have visibility and we must respond to those who are most in crisis. and if that requires that we fee out, because we don't have a bed available or something we would do that, we do do that. but we would only do that after making sure we don't have the capacity. because candidly, part of the risk is the handoff to the private sector, and it's important we get visibility. we bring those veterans in, and we take care of them. >> let me go back to the scheduling issue. >> yes. >> because that is a critically important piece of this. back in 2005 and again in 2007, problems were reported with scheduling, in terms of wait

times. despite having heard about this for seven years now, here we are today. why is it so difficult to address these problems and should we be more optimistic it's going to happen this time? >> well, vha has established the business needs, madam chairman for scheduling, including a vision of a modern scheduling package that would among other things provide patients the ability to make their own employments. >> and the implementation thing. >> we have published in rfi, december of 2011, would like to take for the record when we will be implementing, we are underway if this new initiative. >> do you believe that's going to happen. >> i don't have enough information to comment, ma'am. i'd have to check and see where they are with this. i would just say that it -- this has been an issue for a number of years and it hasn't been solved. i'm not aware of the specifics of what they're talking about.

>> okay, i have several other questions i'm going to submit for the record. i want to say, i want to thank all of you for being here today and sharing your views, critically access to va health care in a timely fashion is absolutely essential. especially as we have a growing number of men and women who are returning from a war, where this is a signature issue, and a signature wound that we are very cognizant of, we need to be prepared for, and this committee is focused on this, wants answers and follow-up, and not just this to be another hearing, but real action is taken. so mr. schoenhard, i appreciate the va stepping up to this today, i appreciate them accepting the i.g. report, i really appreciate the i.g. for all the work you did. a large number of your resource

focused on this, there were other witnesses, thank you very much for being here today, i want to make it clear, this is not something we're going to have a hearing on, and leave and go do something else tomorrow, this has to be taken care of, we owe it to these men and women, i don't want to continue to hear that anyone's gaming the system, i want to know that the action plan that's being put in place to make sure that the hiring you have announced is actually taking place. if there are barriers to that, we want to know about it, and i want to know how you decided which visns are going to get the practitioners you have outlined and i want to know from on the ground there is a real connection to the va here at central office and this is not just another hearing here in washington, d.c., and the action on the ground continues to be the anecdotes that this committee and i have heard and too many committee members have

been continuing to hear, this is very critical, i think we've made some progress, but boy do we have a lot of work ahead of us. and i think the nation expects that of us, i intend to stand up to it, and i expect all of you to stand up to it as well. i want to take a second and congratulate miss halladay to her recent promotion as assistant inspector general. we look forward to working with you. with that, this hearing is adjou adjourned. thank you. next on c-span3, a memorial service at the capital for congressman donald payne. the senate commerce committee looks at how technology is changing the media landscape. and a hearing on efforts to combat the lord's resistance army in central africa. born in a north korean work camp, it's the only world shin had ever known. he's the only one to ever escape from camp 14.

>> his first memory at the age of around 4 was going with his mom to a place near where he grew up in the camp to watch somebody get shot. shootings, public executions in the camp were held every few weeks, and they were a way with of punishing people who violated camp rules and of terrorizing the 20,000 to 40,000 people who lived in the camp to obey the rule rules from then on. >> sunday author blaine harden on shin's journey out of north korea and learning about society and civilization. and may, look for our q & a interview with robert caro. the passage of power, volume four in the years of lyndon johnson. his multiyear biography of the 36th president 37.

congressman donald payne died last month at the age of 7. his colleagues honored him with a memorial at the capital. he represented new jersey's tenth congressional district for over two decades. this is just over an hour. ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of colors by the united states capital police ceremonial unit.

>> forward march. present. ♪ o, say can you see by the dawn's early light ♪

♪ what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was with still there ♪ ♪ o, say does that star spangled banner yet waive ♪

♪ o'er the land of free and the home of the brave ♪

>> ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. >> good morning and welcome to the old hall of the house. thank all of you for joining us for the memorial for donald m. payne. with us today are members of representative payne's family as well as many colleagues and friends, all gathered just steps from the chamber where he served with great distinction. just as the body -- the house is the body that is closest to the people, is the body of people who are close knit.

the loss of one is felt by all. this is particularly true in the case of this distinguished gentleman from new jersey. this morning we will hear of a man who grew newspaper humble circumstances and devoted himself to lifting up others. whether they lived just down the block in newark's northward or thousands of miles away in africa. we will hear of a believer who wrote the book on what it means to be a public servant. don payne never settled for being a sympathetic ear or a helping hand. he immersed themselves in a plight that he sought to help. he gave it all through it all. we'll hear of a teacher who passed on this passion with such commitment that the great john lewis would say, don's heart was big enough to serve all mankind.

through his story we see how much we're capable of and how much we have left to do. we are again drawn to that line in luke, to whom much is given, much is expected. each of us has been at risk by don payne's example, we must be expected to honor it with service and sacrifice. god bless his family and god bless all of you for being here with us today. this time, the invocation will be given by the rev rant patrick conroy, the chaplain of the house of representatives. >> let us pray. god of heaven and earth. the work of your hands is made known in your bountiful

creation, and in the lives of those who faithfully live their lives in service and in your grace. today we especially remember the life and work of our departed brother donald payne trusting your promise of eternal and ever lasting life and love. we remember his 30 years of service in elected office. in his 12th term of congress you called him to yourself. his voice on behalf of the millions who suffer on the continent of africa, and for so many here at home will be sorely missed. may his example give courage to those of us who continue on to similarly dedicate our lives and our energies for the service of

so many in need of a champion. comfort those who mourn. most especially his family but also his lifelong friends and the many people who remembered donald as a man of stature and position who never lost sight of his call to service of others. donald's bethlehem baptist congregation of newark and his roman catholic alma matter seton hall university can both be proud of this faithful son who answered the call of his master, to serve others and now intercedes for us all in god's presence. eternal rest grant unto him oh, lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.

amen. >> our first series of tributes we'll hear from some of donald payne's colleagues in the house, starting with the delegate donna christensen from the virgin islands. she'll be followed by representative emanuel cleaver of missouri, representative lynn woolsey of california, and representative chris smith, the dean of the new jersey delegation. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> it's hard getting used to donald payne not being around. we may never get used to it, and i hope we don't. no more "hey girl, where you been" or "hey girl, what you been up to" as only donald could ask. but what will always be with us is what donald always the teacher taught us through his life and service. teaching was obviously his first love, and he never left it, even

when he came to washington. from his work to close education gaps on the committee of education in the workforce, to the many young people from all over our country and the world that he mentored in and outside of his office, on street corners or in classrooms, to his commitment to the interns and fellows training the next generation of leaders as he led the city sea foundation to understand that this was its important core mission. as much as he was involved in the life of africa, its struggles and its victories, trusted counsel to rebels as much as governments, his active on caribbean development and peace in ireland, he was still never far from his district, to which he also gave his all, and where he was so much loved. his commitment to global health had its beginning in those major health events he held in newark. i would always join the new jersey and new york folks, and it was always wonderful to see donald in his element and to be part of helping him bring health

care information and services to the thousands who came. he believed in and respected this institution and its rules and traditions and taught all of us who served with him to do the same, or else. and he was a loyal and loving friend who was always there when you called and even when you didn't. but he also didn't mind ripping into you to keep you on a straight and narrow. i was privileged as well as burdened, but gladly so to be one of the few that donald told of his illness. but he did so well that we, even i were lulled into thinking he would beat that illness. and he did for a long time. through ups and down, therapies and adverse reactions, he kept going like an energizer bunny here. here at home, at the foundation, across this country, and even abroad, i just don't know how he did it. so what did donald payne, congressman donald payne teach us? that you can and have an

obligation to do it all, that we must serve all of humanity, even beyond the best of our ability and capacity, and we must do so with courage but humility, but determination, quiet when possible, but also to go newark, as our chair terms it, when the situation demands. to never let anyone or anything stand in the way of living life to the fullest and giving your all until you have nothing more to give. donald payne gave his all to his family, who will always be in our thoughts and prayers. his friends, his colleagues, his country, the continent of africa, the caribbean, and the world. and so he will always be with us in that special part of himself that he shared with each of us so selflessly. and so we can each say as we gather here today for this memorial, thank you, donald payne, my colleague, my teacher, and my friend. [ applause ]

>> it falls to me as chair of the congressional black caucus to speak a few words about our friend and colleague donald payne. he was indulgent with his family, intolerant toward injustice, invisible during credit-taking time, incorruptible in a city of temptation, and indistinguishable as a human spirit who is much loved. and now i'm compelled to utter something that is perhaps counterintuitive. washington, d.c. is a city of heroes. yes, i challenge the late-night

comedians and the midday commentators. washington, d.c. is a city of heroes. this is the city of washington, lincoln, jefferson, roosevelt, roosevelt, kennedy, reagan. this is the city where leaders have gathered since 1790 to create the most democratic republic in the history of the planet. this is the city that attracted courageous leaders who slammed slavery into the junk pile of days gone by. the leaders of washington suffered from and eventually stabilized the scariest domestic downturn in world history, 1929. it was from this city that the political will was harvested to win not one but two world wars. it was in this city with civil rights leaders in the lead that

jim crowe laws were liquidated. donald payne sowed seeds of civility and thus enjoyed a bountiful harvest of good will from all sides. this is the city where in 1983 ronald reagan and tip o'neill came together and added two decades to the solvency of social security. the forceful but civil words of donald payne spoke in the hallowed halls of congress were short to speak, but their echos are endless. heroes in washington, d.c. are made by the men and women who, win or lose, and at no small risk to themselves, place their names on ballots for the place or a place in the people's house. donald payne was a hero. he defeat adhere row to get here. and once here, he remained true to his ideals and beliefs.

donald payne was a hero because he never landed on the evening news because of some caustic comment. he is a hero because he forced congressional attention on africa. he became a hero because in a town filled with hot air, he taught us to say nothing often. he is a hero because he won more washington battles with his ears than his mouth. he is a hero because his life is measured not by its duration, but by its donation. i'm united methodist, and john wesley who laid the foundation to what we call today methodism said our people die well. donald payne is a hero because he died well. blessed are the dead which die in the lord.

they rest from their labor and their works do follow them. let me conclude by just telling you that i was really impressed when i saw the funeral of leonard brezhnev, the former soviet leader. his widow, without the knowledge of the leaders of the party or the kgb stood by his casket after all were seated. and just before they pulled the lid down, she did the unthinkable. in the soviet union. she put her hand over in the casket on her husband's chest. she made the sign of the cross. in the citadel of the war on religion, she made the sign of the cross on her husband's chest. and so i know that we're not

supposed to do religious stuff in congress. but taking a cue from mrs. brezhnev, donald, there is no need to newark anymore. you're in the right place now. [ applause ] >> i am truly honored to be here today to pay tribute to a man i loved and respected, a friend for life and a mentor. to his family, i say, we say thank you for sharing your father, your father-in-law, your dad, your brother, your grandpa,