From: Ralph Thomas
Subj: Taps for
"Hi Team:
Murray Schooner died yesterday. I don’t know how many of you actually knew Murray Schooner. Please see the emails below as well as the attached article. He was a faithful colleague and good friend of mine
for 17 years. I met him when I was Associate Administrator of NASA’s Small Business Program.
He came to my law firm’s 25th anniversary in October 2009, and we took a picture together.( See below). A short time afterwards, he wheeled himself out of the building and went to see a movie in Tyson’s Corner. He was independent to the end, refusing to let his condition get the best of him. The last time I saw him was at his house in November 2009, I believe, where he threw a party for all of his friends. Perhaps it was to serve as his farewell party. What else can I say?
I pray that God will richly bless
------------------------------------------------
VA News for Tuesday, March 2, 2010
1. Shinseki, Akaka Agree On Need To Reform VA Disability Claims System. In continuing coverage, the AP (3/2) reports Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and
2. Review Said To Offer Chance For Gulf War Syndrome Victims To Be Treated Fairly. In continuing coverage, an editorial in the St. Petersburg (FL) Times (3/2) says that if the "victims of Gulf War syndrome are ever to be treated justly" by VA, the "first step came last week," when the agency "said it would review potentially thousands of disability claims and update regulations affecting veterans, suggesting that some may finally get the compensation they deserve for service to their country." The Times notes that the Obama Administration has "charged a task force with redefining how ill veterans are treated," then adds, "VA Secretary Eric Shinseki calls the task force's recommendations a 'new approach' to how these veterans will be compensated by the VA. Those are promising words and hopefully not empty ones."
3. Rural Veterans Health Care Advisory Committee To Meet In
4. DOD, Shinseki Criticized For Burn Pit Statements. In an entry on the Huffington Post (3/2) columnist R. B. Stuart notes, "Defense officials say that health effects as a result of exposure to burn pit smoke are likely to be 'temporary' and should 'clear-up' once troops return home" from Iraq. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki "concurred, 'Most toxic materials from burn pits may be eliminated from the bodies of exposed veterans in a matter of days or weeks.' If burn pit smoke is so harmless, then I invite VA Secretary Shinseki and DoD officials to take their kids to
5. OPM Director Praises Shinseki. In a Government Executive (3/2) column profiling Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, Alyssa Rosenberg notes that Berry "says it's been easy to reach out to senior administration leaders -- including Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, who are chairing the council overseeing the veterans hiring initiative -- because they see human capital issues as a priority."
6. VA Hospitals In
7.
8.
9. VA Psychologist Encourages Vets Suffering From PTSD To Undergo Treatment. On its website, the National Journal (3/2, 12K) notes that it met with Dr. Stacey Pollack, a clinical psychologist with the Department of Veterans Affairs, "for her perspective on the battle against" post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which "has increased in recent years." Pollack, "who also serves as trauma services director" at the VA hospital in Washington, DC, "says that although she tries to encourage vets suffering PTSD to undergo treatment, 'I don't ever pretend to understand exactly what they go through.'"
10. Court Offers Chance To Veterans Who Commit Non-Violent Crimes. According to a report aired by CBS Evening News
11.
12.
13. Study: Small Cut In US Sodium Consumption Would Save Lives, Money. HealthDay (3/2, Gardner) reports, "A combined government-industry initiative to reduce US sodium consumption by as little as 10 percent would save thousands of lives and billions of dollars, according" to a "study in the March 2 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine." The study's lead author, Dr. Crystal Smith-Spangler, "with the Veterans Administration Palo Alto Healthcare System," commented on the findings, stating, "If manufacturers were able to work with us and decrease sodium in processed food, it would be easier to decrease sodium intake." Science Daily (3/2) and Reuters (3/2, Steenhuysen) publish similar stories.
14. VA Funding Diabetes Research. The Dallas Morning News (3/2, Weiss, 350K) reports Dr. Robert Unger, a "longtime diabetes researcher at UT Southwestern Medical School," is "setting up human tests for a new treatment he says might have fewer side effects than standard insulin therapy." The "tests using leptin, a natural hormone produced by fat cells, would build on results of experiments performed by Unger's research team and published" Monday "in a major scientific journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences." According to the Morning News, the research that led to the paper "was funded by the Veterans Administration, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and several private donors."
15. Value Of VA's Aid And Attendance Program Noted. The Hartford (CT) Courant (3/2, Labossiere) says the US Department of Veterans Affairs' Aid and Attendance pension program "may be the lifeline some veterans need to continue living in nursing facilities without depleting their savings." After noting, "Aid and Attendance as been around since 1953, but most veterans don't know about it, officials said," the Courant adds, "In a state with one of the oldest populations in the country, knowledge of this kind of special funding would help many residents, said Julia Evans Starr, executive director of the Connecticut Commission on Aging."
16. Bicyclists Pushing For Restored Access To
17.
18. SAVAHCS Hosts Four Chaplains Memorial Service. The Green Valley (AZ) News And Sun (3/1, Ford, 13K) notes that on February 21st, the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System "hosted the Four Chaplains Memorial Service," which honored "four courageous World War II chaplains: Lt. Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed clergyman; Lt. Alexander David Goode, a rabbi; Lt. George Lansing Fox, a Methodist clergyman; and Lt. John Washington, a Catholic priest."
19. Hagan Visits Hefner VAMC, Sees Work Being Funded By Stimulus. The Salisbury (NC) Post (3/2, Jenkins, 21K) reports US Sen. Kay R. Hagan (R-NC) "stopped in
The NEWS14-TV Charlotte, NC (3/1) website said hospital renovations "that were expected to take five years will be done in one thanks to $6 million in economic stimulus funding, and the work will be done by veteran-owned companies. Rene Guerrero, the owner of one of those companies," led Hagan "through one of the projects...Monday, giving her a firsthand look at how the stimulus money was being put to use."
20. VA Hospital In
21. Bowling Tournament Raises Money For
22. Overton Brooks VAMC To Raise Funds By Hosting Run. The Shreveport (LA) Times (3/2) reports the
23. Students Make Cookies, Cards For Veterans. In a front page story, the Albany (NY) Times Union (3/2, A1, Patterson) reports, "A dozen students" in "Dixie Almy's Family and Consumer Science program," a "new culinary class at Schoharie Central School," recently "made more than 300 heart-shaped sugar cookies, decorating each with frosting, while" those in Almy's "seventh-grade class -- all 78 students -- made more than 100 cards that pertained to the history of the Schoharie Valley." The cookies, a "Valentine's Day treat," were "then bagged and delivered with the cards to the
24. Researchers Find Alternative Treatment For PTSD. The Daily Texan (3/2, Noble), the student newspaper for the University of Texas at Austin, reports, "UT professors have discovered possible alternative treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, which currently affects at least one out of every eight veterans, according" to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The Texan adds, "Ivan Ponomarev and R. Adron Harris, both researchers with UT's
25. Veterans Need A New Bus For Transport To VA Hospital. The Hudson (NY) Register Star (3/2, Olsen, 5K).
26. Soldier From Stuart Ready To
27. 2,000 Slots Left For March 21 LA
28. Vet Benefits. The Daily Vanguard (3/2, Hannan), a student newspaper for
29. Gratitude At The Slopes. The Gettysburg (MD) Times (3/1, Messeder).
30. WWII Veteran, 84, Gets Diploma. McClatchy (3/2, Smith).
31. Honoring The 'Forgotten.' The Fort Dodge (IA) Messenger (3/2, Mutchler, 16K).
32. Treasure Trove. The Altoona (PA) Mirror (3/2, Kibler, 32K) reports "extraordinary items" have been found "in a collection that recently came to the attention of leaders at
33. Operation Proud Eagle IV Fundraiser In Stuart To Benefit Veterans Group. The Stuart, Florida-based Treasure Coast Palm (3/2).
34. Fundraiser Set To Support Service Members And Families. The Jamestown (ND) Sun (3/1).
35. New Rules Considered For
36.
37. The Art Of War: Works Connect Past To Present And Help Tell Warriors' Stories. The Salt Lake Tribune (3/2, LaPlante, 120K).
38. On the Hill for March 2, 2010:
The Senate is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on a judicial nomination. A vote on confirmation is also possible.
The Senate may then continue consideration of a bill to extend several expiring tax provisions and other programs.
The House votes on a number of minor resolutions as well as a bill to reauthorize a program to plan for and respond to natural hazards.
House: Convenes 2 p.m.
Under suspension of the rules:
H Res 1097 — National Engineers Week
HR 3820 — Natural hazards risk reduction
H Res 747 —
H Res 699 — Military recognition
H Res 812 — Military working dogs
H Res 1072 —
H Res 1117 —
H Res 1111 — Read Across
H Res 1112 —
H Res 362 — School lunch program
Senate: Convenes 10 a.m. / Weekly caucus lunches: 12:30-2:15 p.m.
Roll call votes expected.
Nomination — Barbara Milano Keenan to be a
HR 4213 — Extending various programs (tentative)
Markup
House Rules considers rules for floor debate for a bill on the use of physical restraint on students ( HR 4247 ). 5 p.m., H-313 Capitol
Hearing Highlights
Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2011 funding for the Agriculture Department, with Secretary Tom Vilsack . 10 a.m., 192 Dirksen
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on the government response to the
House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2011 funding for the Homeland Security Department. 2 p.m., 2359 Rayburn
Senate Veterans’ Affairs and House Veterans’ Affairs joint hearing to receive legislative presentations from the Disabled American Veterans. 2 p.m., 345 Cannon
House Education and Labor hearing on federal child nutrition programs. 2:30 p.m., 2175 Rayburn
39. Today in History:
----------------------------------------------------------
VA News for Monday, March 1, 2010
1. Generally Favorable Reaction Meets VA New Look At "Gulf War Illness" Disability Claims. Generally favorable reaction greeted the decision of VA Secretary Shinseki, reported in a widely picked-up AP (2/27, Hefling) article yesterday, to "take a second look at the disability claims of what could be thousands of Gulf War veterans suffering from illnesses they blame on their war service, the first step toward potentially compensating them nearly two decades after the war ended. In addition to the favorable response, reported in the original article, of the American Legion's legislative director, most other reported reactions were positive.
KXXV-TV Waco, TX (2/26, Talbert) reports that Robert Carter, an area Vietnam-era and Gulf War veteran "spoke with Secretary Shinseki last week, pleading with him to take a look at the Gulf War again. 'He said, I'll do just that. I guess he certainly did,' said Carter."
WCMH-TV Columbus, OH (2/26, Lee) reports on a local Gulf War Air Force veteran, who experienced medical problems, including tumors, upon returning from the war zone, and was ultimately diagnosed as having Gulf War syndrome, following which "things at the VA changed. 'They quit talking about it. It's seems like something came down and said this isn't established, don't use this term,' he said." The veteran figures that, now the agency has several decades of added research and the physicals of thousands of veterans of that theater. "If this announcement is a result of hey we've got the data now, we think we can figure what this is. How to treat it, that's good." He said.
At least one state veterans agency was quick to pledge cooperation with the new VA effort. The Springfield (IL) State Journal Register (2/26, Hopf) reports, "Illinois veterans officials say they will do whatever they can to help Gulf War veterans who have been denied aid for illnesses related to their war service."
A Dallas Morning News (2/26, Mitchell) editorial opined, "It's never easy to read the intent of the Department of Veterans Affairs, especially when they're talking about 'Gulf War illness.' However, this mention from VA secretary Eric Shinseki caught my eye. He's promising a 'fresh. bold look' to help vets who complain of Gulf war illness. This supposedly includes training clinic staffers who work with Gulf War vets to make sure that they simply don't tell vets that their symptoms are imaginary." He questions, however, how the VA's new policy "with the VA's decision to cut research ties with the UT Southwestern Medical Center," which he done much early and controversial work on the "Gulf War syndrome." Taking a noncommittal stand, he concludes, "A lot of what Shinseki is saying depends on whether vets trust the VA as their ally and continue to see it as an agency primed to deny expensive disability claims. We'll see."
The most negative reaction comes from the Salt Lake Tribune (2/26, LaPlante), which says that "Gulf War veterans suffering from illnesses they blame on their service say the Department of Veterans Affairs has a lot to prove." After noting Shinseki's remarks to the AP that the agency will take a "fresh, bold look" at previously disallowed claims, the Tribune adds, "But after dealing with years of government denial, and nearly two decades in which many former
military members have been unable to win compensation for a slew of symptoms often called 'Gulf War Illness,' advocates say they're not ready to praise the VA for its plan." It also cites wait-and-see reactions from the commander of the
2. Shinseki, Veterans Affairs Committee Discuss Agency Budget. The website of KITV-TV Honolulu (2/26) reports that VA Secretary Shinseki and Senate Veterans Affairs chairman HI Sen. Daniel Akaka (D) "discussed reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims system at a hearing Friday on Capitol Hill. Akaka said he is encouraged by the Obama administration's 'commitment to add thousands of staff to process veterans' disability claims, but we should be candid: it appears that the situation will get worse before it gets better.'" The account notes that the $125 billion requested by Obama's budget is "an increase of nearly $11 billion from the previous year," including $4 billion more for the VA's medical care account.
The Air Force Times (2/26, Maze) adds that "Key senators said Friday they are pleased that the Veterans Affairs Department is hiring more than 4,000 more claims processors, but they are worried this won't result in most veterans getting their disability benefits any faster. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki acknowledged that immediate progress might be elusive. It will take up to two years to fully train the new workers, even as the number of claims being filed continues to climb, he said in testimony before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee."
3. Veterans Affairs Review Outlines Changes In Addressing Gulf War Issues. In a press release (2/27), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Shinseki "announced that the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force has nearly completed a comprehensive report that will redefine how VA addresses the pain and suffering of ill Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991." Charged with identifying gaps in services and opportunities to better serve Gulf War veterans, the VA's Gulf War Task Force, chaired by VA chief of staff John Gingrich, recommended review, and if necessary, revision of regulations affecting Gulf War veterans. In addition, the Task Force also called for: improved data sharing with the Department of Defense to identify potential exposures and monitor and inform veterans; expanded training for VBA examiners on how to handle disability claims with multiple known toxin exposure; improving VA healthcare through interdisciplinary health education and training; moving to proactive surveillance of potentially hazardous exposures; increasing long-term, veteran-focused studies of healthcare quality; new research on treatments; and improved outreach and guidance to veterans on associated benefits and services. The Department's release also noted that of the nearly 700,000 Gulf War veterans, "there have been 300,000 Gulf War Veterans with claims decisions, over 85 percent were granted service connection for at least one condition, and over 14 percent were not granted service connection for any condition."
4. Pentagon Criticized For How It Treats Vets But VA Praised. In continuing coverage, the Seattle Times (3/1, 225K) complains in an editorial that too often, news coming out of Washington, DC, reveals poor treatment of veterans, as was demonstrated when the Pentagon "abruptly pulled the plug on a popular program that gave military spouses financial aid for college tuition and professional licenses and certification." The Times adds, however, that Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki "struck a different note last week, when he announced he would reopen review of disability claims filed by Gulf War veterans." The Times, which says the VA is also "moving quicker on preliminary data showing dramatic increases in veterans suicides," is pleased that these "vital topics are getting a closer, respectful review."
5. Resource Directory Compiles Sources Of Aid. Covering a February 25 announcement, the NavyTimes.com (2/26, Kennedy) reports, "To help wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families navigate the multitude of Web sites offering help, several federal agencies have launched the free National Resource Directory, which organizes more than 10,000 Web sites into user-friendly bites." In a press statement, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said that his agency "is committed to tapping into the full powers of the Internet to provide accurate, timely, easy-to-find and easy-to-understand information that improves the lives of veterans, service members, their families and all who care for them." Besides the VA, the Departments of Defense and Labor coordinated to create the site.
6. Senate Veterans' Affairs Schedules Hearing On Mental Health, Suicide Prevention. The AP weekly news calendar (2/26) noted that Senate Veterans' Affairs will hold a hearing on Wednesday, March 3 on mental health care and suicide prevention for veterans."
7. Writing, Therapy Help
8. "Alarming" Increase In
9. VA's IT Patient Safety Program Noted. Government Health IT (3/1, Mosquera) says that while electronic health records (EHRs) are "considered key to improving the quality of healthcare," they "can also be a risk to patient safety, and government and industry officials are calling for better use practices and possible closer oversight of EHRs by regulatory agencies." A "Feb. 25 hearing of the Health IT Policy Committee's adoption and certification work group, a Health and Human Services Department advisory panel," was "called specifically to examine HIT safety concerns and how to handle them." Government Health IT adds, "The Veterans Affairs Department has had an IT Patient Safety program for several years, said Jean Scott, director of the Veterans Health Administration's Information Technology Patient Safety Office."
Hospitals, Medical Offices Moving Toward Electronic Records. In a front page story, the Fresno (CA) Bee (2/16, A1, Anderson) reported on a "sweeping move toward electronic medical records at hospitals and medical offices across the country," including in
VA Official Touts Benefits Of Electronic Records. In a letter to the editor of the Fresno (CA) Bee (2/22), Veterans Affairs Central California Healthcare System Director Al Perry, praised the Bee's story, then noted that a VA hospital "actually introduced computerized records" to
10.
11. Army Chief Of Staff Promises More Time Between Deployments. The Washington Post /AP (2/26, 10:04 PM, McAvoy) reports, "Soldiers are getting to spend more time at home between combat deployments as the U.S. military draws down in Iraq and the Army grows in size, the service's chief of staff said Friday. Gen. George Casey told reporters during a visit to
12. Veterans Groups Seek Mobile Clinic For
13. VA Working "Diligently" On
14.
15.
16. Elderly Man Walking Away From State Veterans' Home Is Tasered. WITI-TV
17.
18.
19. VA Program Helps Homeless
20.
21. VA Awards Claims Processing Contract. Signal Magazine (2/26, Kenyon) reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs "has awarded CSC a contract to provide health care claims processing systems and services. The task order has a one-year base period and four one-year options. Under the contract, CSC and its subcontractor, Plexis Healthcare Systems, will provide the Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center with software for a healthcare claims processing system."
22. State Veterans Agency Seeks
23. VA Announces $41 Million in Construction Contracts for San Antonio VAMC. The San Antonio Business Journal (2/27) reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that two contracts had been awarded to create a "polytrauma center" for the most severely injured veterans and to improve the existing wards of the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center. The contracts together totaled $41.5 million, with $37.2 million slated for the polytrauma center and $4.3 million for the other improvements.
24.
25. Financing Secured For
26. VA
27.
28.
29. Commemorative Coin Issued To Honor Disabled Veterans. In an Enhanced Online News (2/26) release, the United States Mint announced that a commemorative 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar was issued Thursday at a reception at the Russell Senate Office Building, with proceeds from sales of the coin going to support construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington.
30.
31. Palo Alto Chaplain Profiled. The Catholic News Service (2/25, DelVecchio) profiles a chaplain at the Palo Alto VAMC, a Capuchin who until age 40 was a corporate lawyer, who "does all he can to put the veterans at ease and in a good mood."
32. Haley Veterans Hospital Sponsors Welcome Home Event For Veterans. The Northeast Tampa News & Tribune (2/26, McKenzie) reports, "Returning to civilian life after serving years in the military can be stressful, if not mind-boggling, for many veterans. The staff at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital is on a mission to help make the adjustment less worrisome by sponsoring the third annual
33. Non-Profit To
34. Disabled American Veterans Transportation Services Is Topic Of Seminar Talk. The Ellwood City (PA) Ledger (2/28) reports that the volunteer coordinator for the Veterans Affairs Health Care in
35. Veterans On The Street Grow. The Norwalk (CT) Hour (3/1, Kobak, 14K) reports, "As more soldiers come home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the number of homeless veterans is expected to rise dramatically, and the need for outreach programs is on the rise. The current economic environment paired with the stress and psychological trauma of combat heighten the susceptibility of veterans to homelessness, according to Laurie Harkness, the director of the
36. UA Film Documents Veterans' Problems. The Tuscaloosa (AL) News (2/28, Boyd).
37. Rising Threat Of Infections Unfazed By Antibiotics. The Tuscaloosa (AL) News (2/27) ran a story that originally appeared in the New York Times (2/27, B1, Pollack, 1.09M).
38. Dream Of A Good Slumber? Adapt To Sleep Changes. The Seattle Times (3/1, Graham, 225K) reports, "Evidence-based recommendations for addressing sleep disorders in older adults, published late last year in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, are the latest significant contribution to the science of sleep in seniors." The Times adds, "'Implementing behavioral changes is very difficult for people to do without help,' said Dr. Cathy Alessi, a sleep expert at the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System."
39. Glenbrook North Students Seek WWII Vets For Documentary Video. The Northbrook (IL) Star (2/27, Krochmal).
40. Veteran Walking Across
41. Wounded Heroes Fundraiser Boosts Spirits. The Bakersfield Californian (3/1, 57K).
42. Cookbook Raises $17,000 For Injured Marines, Families. The Annapolis (MD) Capital (2/27, Stephenson, 42K).
43. Veterans Memorial Planned In Clear Spring. The Hagerstown (MD) Herald-Mail (2/28, Dearth, 31K).
44. On the Hill for March 1, 2010:
The Senate resumes consideration Monday of a bill that would extend several expiring tax provisions and may also extend unemployment and COBRA health care benefits, as well as Medicaid funding.
A relatively light week is planned in the House, with the main floor action being on a bill intended to reduce the use of physical restraint on students.
House
Monday: Not in session.
Tuesday: Convenes 2 p.m.
Under suspension of the rules:
H Res 1097 — National Engineers Week
HR 3820 — Natural hazards risk reduction
H Res 747 —
H Res 699 — Military recognition
H Res 812 — Military working dogs
H Res 1072 —
H Res 1117 —
H Res 1111 — Read Across
H Res 1112 —
H Res 362 — School lunch program
Wednesday: Convenes 10 a.m
Thursday: Convenes 10 a.m
H Res 1096 — Census Awareness Month
H Res 1079 —
H Res 1082 —
HR 2554 — National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
H Con Res 239 , H Con Res 236 — Use of Capitol grounds
Subject to a rule:
HR 4247 — Physical restraint of students
Friday: No votes expected.
Senate
Monday: Convenes 2 p.m.
No roll call votes expected.
HR 4213 — Extending various programs
Tuesday – Friday: Convene times TBA.
Roll call votes expected.
Nomination — Barbara Milano Keenan to be a
S 1451 — FAA authorization (tentative)
Markups
House Rules considers rules for floor debate of a bill on the use of physical restraint on students ( HR 4247 ). 5 p.m. Tuesday, H-313 Capitol
Senate Energy and Natural Resources votes on nominations. Time TBA, Wednesday, 366 Dirksen
House Transportation and Infrastructure marks up legislation on building naming ( HR 4275 ), the Coast Guard ( H Res 1062 ), and draft bills on reauthorizing the National Transportation Safety Board, clean estuaries, and National Public Works Week. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 2167 Rayburn
House Agriculture marks up bills on state agricultural mediation programs ( HR 3509 ) and
House Financial Services International Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee marks up a bill on debt relief for earthquake recovery in
House Foreign Affairs marks up a resolution on Armenian genocide ( H Res 252 ). 10 a.m. Thursday, 2172 Rayburn
Senate Judiciary marks up bills on cocaine sentencing disparities ( S 1789 ), concealed weapons for law enforcement officers ( S 1132 ), criminal justice grants ( S 2772 ), medical bankruptcy ( S 1624 ) and hate crimes against the homeless ( S 1765 ); also votes on pending nominations. 10 a.m. Thursday, 226 Dirksen
Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship marks up a bill on small-business contracting ( S 2989 ). 10 a.m. Thursday, 485 Russell
Hearing Highlights
Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2011 funding for the Agriculture Department, with Secretary Tom Vilsack . 10 a.m. Tuesday, 192 Dirksen
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on the government response to the
Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2011 funding for the Army. 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 192 Dirksen
House Education and Labor hearing on the fiscal 2011 budget for the Education Department, with Secretary Arne Duncan . 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 2175 Rayburn
House Budget hearing on fiscal 2011 budget requests. 10 a.m. Wednesday, 210 Cannon
Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the fiscal 2011 budget for the Interior Department, with Secretary Ken Salazar . 10 a.m. Wednesday, 366 Dirksen
Senate Finance hearing on the 2010 trade agenda, with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk . 10 a.m. Wednesday, 215 Dirksen
House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel hearing on repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding gay and lesbian military servicemembers. 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, 2118 Rayburn
Senate Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2011 spending for the Transportation Department, with Secretary Ray LaHood . 9:30 a.m. Thursday, 124 Dirksen
Joint Economic hearing to receive the unemployment statistics for February. 9:30 a.m. Friday, 106 Dirksen
45. Today in History:
From: Kevin Secor at VA
Sent: Mon 3/1/2010 4:32 AM
Subj: HAVE YOU HEARD?
March is Social Work Month, a big month for social workers and the VA! There are over 8,000 master's prepared social workers serving as licensed independent practitioners in the VA healthcare system. They are an integral and vital part of the Department of Veterans Affairs health care team and serve Veterans in all inpatient and outpatient settings. They support and advance the mission of the Veterans Health Administration by providing high quality psychosocial services to Veterans and their families. These services include assessment, crisis intervention, high-risk screening, discharge planning, case management, advocacy, education, supportive counseling, psychotherapy, resource referrals and resource acquisition. Social work services are a key component in the continuum of clinical services provided to Veterans in VHA facilities. Social workers are assigned to VA health care facilities, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and
Following received from our good friend Katie Sonntag at State of
Honor Flight Network.
This is URGENT REQUEST FOR WWII VETERANS IN THE
If you have questions please contact Earl Morse, Captain, USAF Retired at 937 409-8387 or toll free at 877-FLY-VETS.
A major national corporation is presenting a wonderful opportunity for hundreds of WWII veterans to finally visit THEIR memorial. These senior heroes fought for the freedoms that we all enjoy today as Americans. They waited over 60 years to visit a memorial that honors their service and the ultimate sacrifices of their friends. Over 418,000 of their friends didn't make it home; please help us honor those who did. Time is of the essence. One deluxe motor coaches (56 passengers) will depart
Important details:
- Veterans will participate in a ceremony at the WWII Memorial at 11:00 a.m. on 11 March.
- These veterans will then be spending the night of 11 March in
- We are ACTIVELY searching for survivors of WWII who fought in the Pacific.
- The buses are scheduled to depart 8:00 a.m. March 11, return midday on March 12.
- The Honor Flight Network has secured funding from a major national corporation to make the dreams of veterans who fought in the Pacific (from
- Other cities targeted for this opportunity include
- All expenses will be paid. There is NEVER a cost to any WWII veteran.
- Please partner with us in an ALL POINTS BULLETIN to notify WWII veterans in the area of this opportunity.
- Interested veterans should contact our national office at 1 877-FLY-VETS.
**We appreciate your assistance and urge you to get this wonderful news out to your community immediately, as there will be logistical information that needs to be planned (securing wheelchairs, oxygen, etc) for this incredible event. Please call me or those listed above with any questions or concerns.
My personal cell phone number is 937 409-8387. Thank you for your time,
Sincerely,
Earl Morse, Captain, USAF Retired
Physician Assistant - Certified, MPAS
President and Co-Founder, Honor Flight Network
Office: 937 521-2400
---------------------------------------------
From: Kevin Secor at VA
Sent: Tue 3/2/2010 4:16 AM
Subj: HAVE YOU HEARD?
The Prosthetics Section at
MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JOINT HEARING OF SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS SEEKS INPUT FROM THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART (MOPH).
On Thursday, March 4, 2010, National Commander Jim Sims will testify on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) before a Joint Hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
This annual event brings together the leaders of all of the major Veteran Service Organizations, and allows those Members of Congress directly responsible for Veterans’ Affairs to hear first-hand the issues of most concern to veterans. This year, Commander Sims will address many of the issues that veterans face, especially the top MOPH priorities for the remainder of the 111th Congress:
IMPROVEMENT OF THE TIMELINESS AND ACCURACY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN’S (VA) CLAIMS SYSTEM:
The VA continues to receive an almost overwhelming number of claims, and the MOPH believes that the backlog and the processing time for disability claims remain unacceptable. . MOPH is pleased to note that the Administration’s budget request for 2011 includes an increase of $460 million and more than 4,000 additional claims processors for Veterans benefits. MOPH firmly believes that the VA must aggressively embrace modern technology, in some cases with “off the shelf” technology, to address this problem, including the hiring of trained and qualified personnel.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (TBI/PTSD):
A 2008 RAND study indicated that approximately twenty percent of
ELIMINATION OF THE SURVIVOR BENEFIT PROGRAM (SBP) AND THE DEPENDENT INDEMINITY COMPENSATION (DIC) OFFSET:
MOPH continues to believe that the current law codifies serious inequities. Retired Members of the Armed Services continue to pay for the SBP coverage with their own monies. This benefit should not be reduced for their survivors when their demise is due to injuries/illnesses incurred by the service member while in military service of the
CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF MILITARY RETIRED PAY AND VA DISABILITY COMPENSATION:
In past years, Congress has granted authority for military retirees with a VA disability rating of fifty percent or higher to receive both military retired pay and their VA compensation. It has also expanded Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) to Title 6l retirees. MOPH believes that there are no differences between a military retiree with a ten percent disability rating and a retiree with a one hundred percent rating. In other words, if the process is good for one retiree, why is it not good for all retirees regardless of that individuals retired status or percentage of VA disability?
PURPLE HEART PERPETUAL (FOREVER) STAMP:
MOPH has a long history of the pursuing the issue of a “forever” Purple Heart Stamp that would recognize the service and the sacrifice of those who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds that they received in service to the United States of America. MOPH, its 44,000 members, and many other VSOs remain steadfast in our belief that the Purple Heart stamp should be accorded the same status as the Liberty Bell Stamp that is a “Forever Stamp”.
On March 18, 2010, because of the importance of this singular issue and the extraordinary support and advocacy by Chairman Filner and the House Veteran Affairs Committee, Commander Sims will personally participate in a special hearing entitled “Claims Summit 2010: A Call for Solutions.”
The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS program, MOPH volunteers provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA sites and State Veterans Homes.
For information contact:
National Legislative Director, Hershel Gober, 703-354-2140
Or
National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, 352-753-5535
Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org
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From: VA Media Relations – Passed along by Kevin Secor, USMC Ret at VA
Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 11:19 AM Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Secretary Shinseki Announces Gulf War Task Force Report
Comprehensive approach to delivering care and benefits to Veterans
WASHINGTON (Feb. 27, 2010) – Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that the department’s Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force has nearly completed a comprehensive report that will redefine how VA addresses the pain and suffering of ill Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.
“At VA, we advocate for Veterans – it is our overarching philosophy and, in time, it will become our culture,” Secretary Shinseki said. “Every day we must challenge our assumptions to serve our Nation’s Veterans.”
The mission of VA’s Gulf War Task Force is to identify gaps in services as well as opportunities to better serve Veterans of the Gulf War. Of the almost 700,000 service members who deployed to Operation Desert Shield in 1990 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, there have been 300,000 Gulf War Veterans with claims decisions, over 85 percent were granted service connection for at least one condition, and over 14 percent were not granted service connection for any condition.
“We must learn from the past and take the opportunity to anticipate the future needs of our Veterans,” Shinseki said. “This new approach is the first step in a still unfolding comprehensive plan of how VA will treat and compensate Veterans of the Gulf War era.”
The chairman of the Gulf War Task Force is John R. Gingrich, Chief of Staff at Veterans Affairs and retired Army officer who served during the Gulf War. “Reaching out to Gulf War Veterans is not only essential to our transformation of VA, for many of us it is also personal,” said Mr. Gingrich. “Having commanded troops in Gulf War, and then witness some of them fall to mysterious illnesses has been very difficult to watch. With this Task Force, I am hopeful we can provide these men and women a better quality of life.”
VA’s Gulf War Task Force recommendations build on the findings from the 2008 VA Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illnesses. The Task Force’s recommendations include:
· Improve data sharing with Department of Defense to notify Veterans of potential exposures, monitor their long-term health and inform them about decisions regarding additional follow up.
· Improve the delivery of benefits to Veterans with Gulf War-related disabilities by
a. Reviewing, and if necessary, updating regulations affecting Gulf War Veterans.
b. Expanding training for VBA examiners on how to administer disability claims with multiple known toxin exposure incidents.
· Improve VA healthcare for Veterans through a new model of interdisciplinary health education and training.
· Increase number of long term, Veteran-focused studies of Veterans to enhance the quality of care VA provides.
· Transition from reactive to proactive medical surveillance to help better manage Veterans’ potential hazardous exposures.
· Find new treatments for Gulf War Veterans through new research.
· Enhance outreach to provide information and guidance to Veterans about benefits and services available to them for injuries/illnesses associated with Gulf War service.
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From: Katie Sonntag, Executive Assistant to the Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs
Sent: Tue 3/2/2010 11:03 AM
Subj: Women Veterans Event (See attachments)
The information provided on the attached Power Point sheet says it will be held of March 20 from 10:00 am to 4 pm at the VFW Post 10028,
It is an Informational Fair and will offer information regarding legislation for women, health care, pampering, health information, counseling and networking – to name a few.
If you have questions, please call 443.866.0533. The event is sponsored by the VFW She Serves campaign.
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Godspeed all!
Attachment:
Federal_Report_2010_03_01.pdf
Description: Federal_Report_2010_03_01.pdf
Attachment:
Federal_Report_2010_03_02.pdf
Description: Federal_Report_2010_03_02.pdf
Attachment:
BGen WilmaVaught.doc
Description: BGen WilmaVaught.doc
Attachment:
WWMS Flyer.ppt
Description: WWMS Flyer.ppt