The Nation - News from April 10, 1986

The Senate voted 94 to 3 to give the Vietnam Veterans of America a federal charter, a move hailed by one Senate member of the group as an important step in ending the bitterness of many who fought in the unpopular war. “For myself as a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, this is a very, very important day and a very gratifying day,” said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.). The federal charter would enable the 30,000-member VVA to represent Vietnam veterans before the Veterans Administration and other government agencies. The measure now goes to the House, where passage is expected.