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Saturday, April 25, 2009 3:00 AM Jones pushes bill to help vets By Matt Shaw | Times Staff Writer Veterans groups are rallying behind U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones' bill designed to help service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injuries. Jones, R-Farmville, was joined this week at a press conference by representatives from the National Association for Uniformed Services, the National Military Family Association, Military Officers Association of America and Air Force Sergeants Association, all of which are supporting House Resolution 1701: PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review for Heroes Act. The bill had already been endorsed by Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Marine Corps League. "Our nation has asked many of its military personnel to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan and, unfortunately, many of these service members are returning home with symptoms of PTSD and other mental health challenges," Jones said. One study found nearly 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have symptoms of PTSD or major depression, he said. Many will not seek treatment because they worry it will hurt their careers. The bill would create a special review board at the Department of Defense for service members who were less than honorably discharged. The board would be allowed to change the characterization of discharge to honorable if PTSD or TBI are found to have been contributing factors. Also, it would mandate a physical examination board before an administrative separation proceeding for active duty service members if the service member has been diagnosed with PTSD or TBI by a medical authority. Hagan fully moved in U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan has recently completed the move into her permanent office space in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. "The new senators and I got to know each other very well down in the basement, but I am sure I speak for all of us when I say how exciting it is to finally move into permanent quarters," said Hagan, D-N.C. Hagan's office has been used in the past by senators including Albert Gore Sr. (D-TN), Fred Thompson (R-TN) and, most recently, Wayne Allard (R-CO). Her contact info is 521 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; phone, 202-224-6342; and fax, 202-228-2563 Hagan has opened two N.C. offices and plans to open others in the coming months. Her state headquarters is 701 Green Valley Road, Suite 201, Greensboro, NC 27408; phone, 336-333-5311; fax, 336-333-5331. Her Raleigh office is 310 New Bern Ave., Raleigh, NC 27601; phone, 919-856-4630; and fax, 919-856-4053. Burr honors tar heels U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., had the U.S. Senate pass a resolution congratulating the University of North Carolina's basketball team for winning the 2008-2009 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship. "I am pleased the Senate has recognized the hard work and achievement of the players, coaches, students and staff whose perseverance and dedication contributed to the Tar Heels bringing home the national title. This is a team that all North Carolinians can be proud of," said Burr. |
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It's about time! said...
We need to meet the needs of those who have risked everything to do the work of this country. When you see a Vet, stop and thank them for their service. So easy to do but may mean everything to them.
Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 2:34 PM
We need to meet the needs of those who have risked everything to do the work of this country. When you see a Vet, stop and thank them for their service. So easy to do but may mean everything to them.
Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 2:34 PM
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