Vets for Chet

August 4, 2006

We are writing you today to ask you to join with us and thousands of other veterans and spouses of veterans in supporting the reelection of an incredibly strong and effective voice for veterans, their families and our military, Congressman Chet Edwards of Waco.

Chet Edwards is the son of a World War II veteran and got his start in politics working for the legendary Chairman of the VA Committee, Congressman Tiger Teague. Because of the profound influence Chet’s dad and Mr. Teague had on him, Chet is an unwavering supporter of veterans and their families. While every political candidate in America will say they support veterans, Chet has a proven record of being a national leader on our issues and is one of the most respected and influential voices in the entire Congress for veterans.

Because of his loyalty to our troops and veterans and his effectiveness in advocating for us, Chet has received numerous awards and recognitions from leading veterans and military organizations including the “Unsung Hero” Award from the American Legion in 2004 and “Legislator of the Year” from the Association of the U.S. Army in 2003.

Chet is the Ranking Member of the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees $136 billion for annual defense and veterans programs and funds the entire Department of Veterans Affairs. In this capacity, Chet led the successful fight last year to add $2.5 billion to VA health care, preventing what would have been a devastating cut in veteran health care services. Because of Chet’s leadership, tens of thousands of veterans will be able to receive the health care they were promised and earned through their service and sacrifice.

Chet has also led the fight to keep the Waco VA hospital open, galvanizing local opposition and asking hard questions of the VA as they attempted to justify closing the historic facility. The fight is not over, but thanks largely to Chet’s leadership, the Waco VA has an expanded mission and will be conducting critical PTSD research, vital to the health and well-being of thousands of young veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Chet’s subcommittee has also provided the funding for a major expansion of the Brazos County VA Clinic and the creation of a new VA clinic in Southern Tarrant County, which will serve veterans across North Central Texas.

This year Chet introduced legislation to block the Administration’s proposed doubling and tripling of TRICARE premiums for military retirees. Over 100 members of Congress have cosponsored Chet’s legislation, which would transfer the power to increase premiums and fees from unelected bureaucrats at the Pentagon to our elected representatives in Congress. Chet has also led the fight to repeal the unfair “Disabled Veterans Tax,” also known as the concurrent receipt issue. With Chet’s leadership, Congress repealed the unfair provision of the Survivor’s Benefit Plan that penalized survivors of military retirees at age 62. And Chet wrote and passed the legislation that made it possible to have a state veterans cemetery for Central Texas in Killeen, which opened last year. Because it is so important to keep Chet Edwards in Congress fighting for us, we have all volunteered to serve as co-chairs of Vets for Chet 2006. We encourage you to join with us and become involved in Vets for Chet.

Chet Edwards has gone to bat over and over again for us; now it’s our turn to go to bat for him. Thanks in advance for your support, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Chris Adams Major General (Ret.), USAF	John Brieden Veterans Advocate
Michael Gravens Command Sgt. Major (Ret.), U.S. Army Former CSM, III Corps & Fort Hood	Kathryn Henson Former State Commander Disabled American Veterans
Randy House Lt. General (Ret.), U.S. Army Former Commanding General, the Big Red One	Clayton Hueske Former State Commander American Legion
Alvin W. Jones Major General (Ret.), U.S. Army Former Commanding General, 377th Theater Support Command	Dr. Mike O’Bric Marine Corps Mustang
Pete Taylor Lt. General (Ret.), U.S. Army Former Commanding General, III Corps & Fort Hood	Alexander Vernon Former State Commander Veterans of Foreign Wars