Chet Edwards For Congress - Veterans and Military Retirees

Fighting for America's Veterans and Military Retirees

Kat — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 12:00:56 -0700

Fighting Hard for America's Veterans and Military Retirees

Congressman Chet Edwards believes America has a solemn commitment to America's veterans and military retirees - to see that they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and to see that our government honors their service and sacrifices not just in words, but in deeds.

In 2007, Congressman Edwards became the Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. In his first year as Chairman, Chet authored a historic increase of $11.8 billion in veterans' health care funding, the largest increase in the 77-year history of the VA. This groundbreaking funding increase will help improve services, reduce waiting times, ensure proper maintenance at VA hospitals, hire more than 3,100 claims processors to reduce the current 400,000 claim backlog.

Fighting to Save the Waco VA Hospital

Chet Edwards has led the fight to save the VA Hospital since the day the CARES Commission recommended closing the historic, 73 year-old facility in 2003.

Working alongside area veterans, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and local leaders, Chet spearheaded the fight to keep the Waco VA open, and expand its mission as a National Mental Health Center of Excellence.

Since 2006, Chet has secured $5.7 million for innovative Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) research at the Waco VA. The record level budget also increased the number of employees at the Waco VA by 127, the Waco Regional office by 138, and made possible $49 million for five new construction projects on the Waco VA campus starting in 2008.

In 2007, Chet authored and passed the largest budget increase in the history of the VA:

Historic increases for the VA health care and benefits system

$11.8 billion in overall increases for VA health care and benefits since January 2007
$3.4 billion increase for the VA Fiscal Year 2007 budget
$1.8 billion in Supplemental funding in May 2007 Iraq war spending bill
$6.6 billion increase in Fiscal Year 2008 VA Appropriations bill

Other key increases in the VA budget since January 2007:  

Medical Services $29.1 billion (from $22.5 billion, a 29% increase)
Medical Administration $3.5 billion (from $2.9 billion, a 21% increase)
Medical Facilities $4.1 billion (from $3.3 billion, a 24% increase)
Medical Research $480 million (from $412 million, a 17% increase)
Substance Abuse $428 million (from $358 million, a 20% increase)
Homeless veterans $130 million (from $63.6 million, a 104% increase)

A 240% increase to $1.08 billion in the 2008 VA maintenance budget to improve VA facilities and prevent a Walter Reed-like tragedy from occurring in the VA system

Supporting our rural veterans who live far from VA facilities

Increased the travel reimbursement from 11 cents/mile to 28.5 cents/mile. (First increase since 1979, when gas was 95 cents/gallon.)

Focusing on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury

$2.9 billion on VA mental health care, a 32% increase since 2006
$66 million for a new Level 1 Polytrauma Center in San Antonio
$100 million in the Iraq supplemental for mental health care
$8 million for additional Polytrauma support clinic teams and $5.4 million for additional Polytrauma needs

Focusing on the 400,000 claims backlog by hiring additional claims processors

Added 3,100 new claims processors to the VA
400 new hires funded through FY07 CR
800 new hires funded through Iraq Supplemental
1,800 new hires funded by FY08 Omnibus

Fighting TRICARE Premium Increases for Military Retirees

In March 2006, Chet introduced the Military Retirees' Healthcare Protection Act which would block the Administration's plan to double and triple health care premiums for 3 million enlisted and officer retirees under TRICARE. Parts of Chet's legislation were included in the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 and 2008.

Eliminating the Disabled Veterans Tax

The only federal retirees that are penalized for collecting VA disability benefits are military retirees, who are taxed a dollar of retirement pay for every dollar of VA disability pay they get. Overcoming a veto threat, Chet and other Members of Congress were able to partially phase out this tax, but there are many veterans left out and the fight is not over.

Opening a State Veterans Cemetery in Central Texas

Chet authored the Field of Honor Act, which was passed by Congress, setting aside land for the new State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. The cemetery was opened in late 2005, providing an eternal resting place for those who served our nation in uniform.

Nation's Top Veteran & Military Organizations Salute Edwards for Leadership on Veterans and Military Issues

Chet has repeatedly been recognized by top veterans and military organizations for his tireless work on behalf of America's veterans and the men and women who wear the uniform today. Chet has been honored with:

2008 American Legion Distinguished Service Award given to only one member of Congress
2008 Veterans of Foreign War Congressional Award
2007 Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Award
2006 Military Coalition Award of Merit
2006 National Guard Association Charles Dick Medal of Merit
2006 Exemplary Legislator – National Association of Mental Illness’ Veterans Council
2005 Military Order of the Purple Heart’s National Inspirational Leadership Award for work in Congress on important veterans’ issues.
2005 National Inspirational Leadership Award from the Military Order of the Purple Heart
2004 American Legion Unsung Hero Award
2004 American Legion Meritorious Service Award
2004 “Going to Bat for Veterans” Award –- National Disabled American Veterans
2004 Support of Military Families Award from The National Military Family Association (NMFA). The award recognizes service and dedication to improving the quality of life for uniformed service members and their families.
2004 “Going to Bat for Veterans” Award -- National Disabled American Veterans
2004 Champion for Children -- Military Impacted Schools Association
2003 Legislator of the Year -- Association of the United States Army
2003 Harry S. Truman Award -- National Association of Federally Impacted Schools
2002 USO Quality of Life Award
1998 Legislator of the Year from the bipartisan National Security Caucus
1996 L. Mendel Rivers Award of Excellence from the Air Force Sergeants Association for stopping the plan to reduce military retirement pay
1996 True Champion for Military School Children Award by the National Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA)
1995 FRIEND OF IMPACT AID NATIONAL AWARD from The National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS)
1995 National Security Leadership Award from the American Security Council

Edwards discusses veterans legislation

econnor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Cleburne Times-Review: Edwards discusses veterans legislation

Published: November 16, 2009
By Matt Smith

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, discussed recent veterans legislation while visiting Cleburne on Friday.

“I’ve served as chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs for three years,” Edwards said. “But none of what we’ve been able to do has been a Chet Edwards accomplishment, it’s been a team accomplishment,” Edwards said. “And the most important members have been the members of the service organizations.”

The Veterans Administration was facing tough times three years ago, Edwards said, having corners cut that shouldn’t have been cut.

“That was wrong and bad for our long-term national security,” Edwards said. “With an all-voluntary military, we can’t attract and retain the best and brightest if we don’t keep our promises to them.”

Although much remains to be done, things have improved, Edwards said.

Chief among those, Edwards said, is a bill increasing VA discretionary spending by $23 billion. That translates to hiring 3,200 new doctors, 13,000 new nurses and opening 145 new community care clinics, Edwards said.

Edwards said the first increase in the mileage rate since 1979 from 11 cents per mile to 41 cents per mile should help many veterans who otherwise might not be able to travel to veterans hospitals and clinics.

In the last three years, funding for mental health care has doubled as has the amount provided for the homeless grant program, Edwards said.

“But I won’t sleep well until there are no homeless vets,” Edwards said. “I know there are still a lot of unmet needs out there, but as long as I’m in Congress we’re going to work together to keep those promises.”

...Veteran receives awards earned in Vietnam

econnor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Cleburne Times-Review: Long time coming, Veteran receives awards earned in Vietnam

Published: November 16, 2009
By Matt Smith

U.S. Army Cpl. Roger Black served from June 1969 to March 1971 and was injured June 24, 1970, while serving in Vietnam.

On Friday, at the Booker T. Washington Community and Recreation Center, Black finally received some long overdue awards earned during his time in service.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and Sgt. Gib Rosetter, Black’s platoon sergeant in Vietnam, presented Black with the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the Expert Badge and Machine Gun Bar and Rifle Bar and the Marksman Badge and Auto Rifle Bar.

“One of my favorite parts of my job is when I get the rare privilege to present medals to veterans who earned them many years before,” Edwards said. “While our nation may have been slow in recognizing you with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, I hope you know we’ll never forget the service and sacrifice of you and your comrades.”

Rosetter pinned the medals on Black before the two saluted one another and embraced.

Army Lt. Scott Tekell read the names of members of those killed in action who served with Black in the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, Company Delta, Vietnam.

“I don’t have much to say, except that I’m very glad and honored to have been able to serve my country,” Black said. “I’m glad to have my staff sergeant who was there with me here today. He had it worse there than I did.”

Edwards closed the ceremony by thanking all Vietnam veterans for their service.

“I know you were not honored the way you should have been when you came home,” Edwards said. “But your service in Vietnam was a huge part of making communism pay a terrible price. And you helped the United States win the 50-year Cold War.”

Working to treat our veterans better

econnor — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Bryan-College Station Eagle: Working to treat our veterans better

Bryan-College Station Eagle
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

By U.S. Rep. CHET EDWARDS

Veterans Day is not just another shopping day or holiday. November 11th is a sacred day when all Americans take time to thank, salute and pray for our nation's veterans.

At least once a year, my wife and I take our two young sons to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to thank our wounded troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We want J.T. and Garrison to understand the sacrifices that have been made to protect our nation and their future.

Recently, I spent an hour speaking to a young soldier who has three young children, and yet has served two tours of duty in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan. Words cannot express the debt of gratitude we as Americans feel for this soldier, his family and all our troops making personal sacrifices to keep our nation safe.

The truth is we can never fully repay the debt we owe our service men and women. Nevertheless, as a nation, we have a moral obligation to support them in a meaningful way.

As someone who represented Fort Hood, the Army's largest installation, through three combat deployments, I have seen first-hand the sacrifices of our troops and their families who are truly the unsung heroes of our nation's defense.

The tragic shooting at Fort Hood last week has deeply touched our nation.

I am hopeful that the memorial service and the outpouring of support from all across our land will allow the loved ones of our fallen heroes to know that they will not be alone in the days, months and years ahead.

Even amidst this terrible tragedy, I believe the world is seeing the Fort Hood I know, a special and unique place where the American spirit is alive and well and where the values of courage, patriotism and service to country are a way of life, every day.

It is important for Fort Hood to be known by the service and sacrifice of tens of thousands of soldiers and their families and not by the actions of one deranged person.

For the past three years, it has been my privilege to chair the House Military Construction and Veterans Appropriations Subcommittee. During that time, Congress has taken unprecedented steps in improving military family housing and day care, and more has been done to improve health care and benefits for our veterans than ever before, but there is more work to be done.

Since becoming chairman in January 2007, my focus has been to see that Congress honors veterans with deeds not just words. Once the 2010 VA Appropriations bill becomes law, Congress will have provided in less than three years:

A 60 percent increase in funding for veterans health care and benefits.
A new income threshold that allows 500,000 middle income veterans the opportunity to access VA health care services for the first time since 2003.
3,384 new VA doctors, 14,246 new nurses, 145 new community-based outpatient clinics, 70 new Vet Centers, 8,300 new claims processors to shorten the wait time for vets to receive their earned benefits.
An increased travel reimbursement from 11 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile. (First increase since 1979, when gas was 95 cents/gallon).
New GI Education Bill that covers the full cost of college for America's troops and veterans.
Two-year Advance Appropriations for 2011 for VA medical care, the single highest priority for major veterans service organizations.

We must always remember our military families whose service during wartime is a powerful example of personal sacrifice. Perhaps the most gratifying thing I have ever done in Congress is to have written the new law this year that will provide a full college scholarship to every child who has lost a parent in military service since Sept. 11, 2001.

The families who have lost loved ones in service to our country deserve our nation's everlasting respect and support.

I am grateful to represent a district in which citizens and families never take for granted the sacrifice of our troops, our veterans and their families.

This Veterans Day, let us never forget that in 2009, we are the land of the free, because we are still the home of the brave.

May God bless our soldiers, our veterans and our families, and may God bless America.

Chet Edwards is chairman of the U.S. House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. He represents the 17th Congressional District, which includes Brazos, Grimes, Madison and portions of Burleson and Robertson counties.

Edwards hails law for vets

econnor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Nov 2, 2009

Burleson-Crowley Connection: Edwards hails law for vets

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, attended the White House signing ceremony on Oct. 22 for the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, legislation that provides the Department of Veterans Affairs advance appropriations to craft its health care budget a full year in advance.

“For the first time ever, Congress has passed, and the president has signed into law, legislation that provides an advance appropriation for VA medical care,” Edwards said. “This new law keeps America’s promise to our veterans who have kept their promise to defend and protect our great nation and sends a clear message that we appreciate and respect their service and sacrifice.

“This was a top priority of America’s veterans’ service organizations because it will allow the VA to invest taxpayers’ dollars more effectively and efficiently while delivering health care benefits to veterans in a more timely manner.”
Edwards, as chairman of the House Military Constructions and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, authored $48.2 billion in advance appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for three medical accounts. They include medical services, medical support and compliance and medical facilities. Advance appropriations passed the House for the first time in history on July 10 under the 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.

“By providing advanced appropriations for 2011, the VA will now have sufficient, timely and predictable funding,” said Raymond C. Kelley, national legislative director of AMVETS. “This will allow the VA to better coordinate for the use of valuable resources, to include hiring of key medical staff and other demands that are unique to the health care setting.”

Local leaders also praised the bill.

“The veterans of Johnson County can rest easy knowing that when they travel to the nearest VA facility for medical needs, those needs will not be delayed for‘lack of funding,’ ” said Joel Franklin, commander of Cleburne’s C.E. DeLario Post 50. “This is another example why membership in the American Legion directly affects the lives of veterans and their families. When our national commander goes before Congress with veteran related concerns, numbers matter and the larger our organization is, the more attention the American Legion garnishes on Capitol Hill”

The bill addresses important veterans issues, said Kathryn Fasci, Johnson County Veterans Service officer.

“I am so very pleased to see our government respond to the real needs of our veterans,” Fasci said. “My role as advocate affords me the privilege of providing assistance with obtaining federal and state benefits for our veterans, their widows and their dependents. The signing of HR 1016 impacts not only the 7.84 million veterans currently enrolled in the VA health care system but also future veterans — the brave men and women currently serving in our military. It makes good on the government’s promise to provide quality health care to our veterans and their families.”

Clarene Hill, national commander of the American Legion agreed.

“No longer will VA and the veterans in its care have to suffer from the ‘check’s in the mail’ syndrome,” Hill said. “Now the VA will know a year in advance what resources will be available to it so plans can be made accordingly. Advance appropriations will go a long way toward minimizing compromises in the delivery of the high quality VA health care our veterans expect and deserve.”

...World War II vet finally awarded medals for service

econnor — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Waco Trib: Long overdue, World War II vet finally awarded medals for service

Waco Tribune-Herald | By Regina Dennis, Tribune-Herald staff writer | Tuesday, October 13, 2009

West native Ed Snider served for four years in the Army during World War II, interpreting the words and plans of the German regime and providing pivotal information to his fellow soldiers in the 2nd Armored Division.

“That was a pretty sweet job that I had,” said Snider, 90. “There would be times when they’d capture a soldier and someone would say, ‘Where’s Snider? Get him up here right now,’ and there would be questions that I’d have to ask them to get information.”

In fact, Snider was honored with a Bronze Star for his service — more than 60 years after the war’s end.

On Monday, Snider was presented 12 service medals relating to his World War II service, including the Bronze Star. The Bronze Star is given to members of the military for heroic or meritorious achievement in combat after 1941, according to the Institute of Heraldry, which produces the medals.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, whose own father was a World War II veteran, thanked Snider for his service at an intimate gathering of Snider’s family and friends at his Waco office.

“The world would be a different place today had it not been for a generation of Americans who stood up to the tyranny of Adolf Hitler,” Edwards said. “It inspires me to know that you had sacrificed so much so that we would be able to maintain freedom.”

Part of the delay in awarding Snider the medals was that his service records are missing. Snider’s Army records were among the nearly 18 million military personnel files destroyed in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Mo.
Prior to then, however, Snider had not sought the medals to which he was rightfully entitled.

“He just came home from the war and just wanted to put it all behind him, and he got married, started a family, and worked to provide for his family, and it was forgotten,” said Rose Ann Chudej, Snider’s oldest daughter.

Chudej said Snider joined a local ex-POW chapter 20 years ago and suddenly began sharing his military experiences with his family for the first time. He lamented that while some members had received Purple Hearts for their accomplishments in World War II, his sacrifices were not acknowledged, she said.

Chudej began filing out paperwork for the Purple Heart but found out last year that he would not receive the medal, despite losing hearing in his right ear and having portions of his mouth ripped during a blast from a German land mine. However, she was told that Snider qualified for a host of other medals.

“I faxed the other documentation the next day, and it kind of started rolling from there,” Chudej said. “I reached out to Edwards’ office and asked him to help us expedite the paperwork for the process so that he could get the medals sooner.”

The medals arrived in the mail three weeks ago and were intercepted by Chudej. She arranged a surprise meeting to have Edwards present the medals to her father.

Edwards also said he wants to work with Snider to capture his memories of the war in the Library of Congress’ “American Memory” oral history project.

War memories

Snider served in the Army from 1941 to 1944 and participated in missions in Africa, Sicily, England, France, Belgium and Germany. He was part of the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France on June 6, 1944.

“There was shooting, lots of bloodshed, dead bodies — over there, right there, over there and there,” Snider said, pointing around him. “It was a sight to see. A lot of Americans were killed or captured that day.”

Snider, whose family immigrated from Germany to West in the 1800s, learned to speak fluent German as a child. He used those skills to gather information from captured German soldiers as well as interpret speeches Hitler broadcast over German radio.

Snider was also part of a team that delivered food and supplies to soldiers fighting on the front lines. He recalls one mission to find fresh eggs and was able to trade a German man a carton of cigarettes for as many eggs as he could carry.

“He walked me to his house and said come in, and I looked in the door and there were four German soldiers in the living room,” Snider said. “He told me that they had come to him that night because they were afraid of the American army in the area . . . and as I walked away, they told me to take them with me so they could surrender.”

Snider was captured in Hanover in 1944, weeks before the war’s end, when his convoy got lost on the way back from a food delivery. Under enemy fire, he shouted to the German soldiers to stop shooting, and he was mistaken for a German resident and taken to a headquarters for questioning.

“They said to me, ‘You are German, why are you fighting with the Americans?’ ” Snider said. “I told them, ‘I’m fighting to serve my country and for freedom.’ ”

After he received the medals Monday, Snider remarked that he was grateful and overwhelmed by the honors.

“I didn’t know all of this was coming,” Snider said. “This is something here, to be awarded all these medals after all these years.”

New hospital at Fort Hood will be completed...earlier...

econnor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Waco Trib: New hospital at Fort Hood will be completed 6 years earlier than first planned

Waco Tribune-Herald | By Michael W. Shapiro, Tribune-Herald staff writer | Wednesday, September 30, 2009

New plans announced Tuesday for the construction of a military hospital to replace Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood move up the completion date by six years to 2013.

The Department of Defense originally planned to build the hospital in two phases, finishing the second phase in 2019, but Reps. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and John Carter, R-Round Rock, both announced in news releases that the facility would be built in one phase and at a savings to taxpayers.

Edwards’ release put the new cost of the hospital at $927 million, with $621 million coming from the federal stimulus bill and $306 million from Congress’ 2009 supplemental appropriations bill.

Edwards added a provision to pay for military hospital modernization in the stimulus legislation and for military hospital construction in the appropriations bill.

Edwards and Carter also co-signed a letter sent in July asking the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs to consider combining the construction phases.

The hospital’s public affairs officer, Jeri Chappelle, said in March that Darnall suffered from an acute lack of space.

The five-story hospital, which opened in 1965, was built with a 17,000-person capacity. Its last major expansion was a two-story wraparound added in 1984.

Today, Darnall serves two full Army divisions: the 1st Cavalry and the 4th Infantry (Mechanized). At 554,000 square feet, the current building is 33 percent too small for the amount of traffic it handles, forcing soldiers and their families to seek care elsewhere, Edwards said.

Waco VA Hospital to get national pharmacy contact center

econnor — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Waco Trib: Waco VA Hospital to get national pharmacy contact center

Waco Tribune-Herald |
By Ken Sury | Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 10:33 AM

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki are at the Waco Veterans Affairs Hospital announcing that a National Pharmacy Contact Center will open there, creating 224 new full and part-time jobs in the local economy by 2010.

In a prepared statement, Edwards said, “I salute Secretary Shinseki for making the decision to open a National Pharmacy Contact Center and to locate it here in Waco. This is a clear statement that the Department of Veterans Affairs sees the Waco VA as a vital resource for veterans throughout Texas and across the nation.

“Not only will adding a national call center at the Waco VA create local 224 new jobs in tough economic times, the men and women who are employed will know they are giving something back to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation.”

The National Pharmacy Contact Center, which will help veterans with questions regarding their prescriptions, is part of a Department of Veterans Affairs initiative to improve customer service to veterans and enhance access to care at VA medical centers.

The center will be housed in Building 90. The $4.5 million renovation project will begin in September.

The plan calls for the first administrative staff of eight to 10 people to start work in less than three months. Training for the next 16 workers will begin in December of this year; and all 224 new employees will be hired by October 2010.

“The National Pharmacy Contact Center brings us one step closer to realizing the dream of those of us who fought so hard to keep the Waco VA open — the dream that this campus one day be fully utilized for the benefit of America’s veterans,” Edwards said in his statements. “I believe that dream is coming to reality far faster than any of us might have imagined just a year or two ago.”

With the new call center, more than 400 new jobs at the Waco VA have been created since January 2007.

The call centers in Waco and Topeka will provide back-up support to each other to ensure uninterrupted service in the event of natural disasters or other events that cause service interruptions.

Edwards announces funding for Waco VA, L-3, Baylor

econnor — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Waco Trib: Edwards announces funding for Waco VA, L-3, Baylor

Waco Tribune-Herald |
By Ken Sury | Friday, July 31, 2009

The office of U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) has sent out an announcement that the congressman has secured funding for national defense projects at the Waco VA, L-3 Communications, and Baylor University under the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill, which passed the House Thursday.

The news release continues below.

“These priority programs will strengthen our nation’s defense, and support jobs and economic growth in Central Texas. I will continue working with local leaders in McLennan County to make our area a major center for good-paying defense jobs that contribute to our nation’s security,” said Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Edwards secured $3 million for a joint Waco VA Hospital-Ft. Hood-Texas A&M health research program that will examine the underlying causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Edwards created the program in 2006 and has secured $8.9 million total for this project to date.

“The Waco VA and Fort Hood are uniquely positioned to conduct world-class research with the Department of Defense to find improved treatments and cures for veterans suffering from mental illness and post traumatic stress disorder. The close proximity of a military installation that has sent over 40,000 soldiers to Iraq and a VA hospital that is a nationally recognized center of excellence for veterans’ mental health care cannot be matched anywhere else in the country,” said Edwards, chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee.

Waco’s largest private employer, L-3 Communications, will receive $6.3 million requested by Edwards to fund a Technology Integration Lab at L-3 where new technologies for the EP-3E spy planes can be “pre-tested” before installation. These aircraft are heavily engaged collecting intelligence in theater and this will dramatically decrease the time they must be pulled away from their missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere to receive important systems upgrades.

“This research program will help us increase the intelligence gathering capabilities of our Navy EP-3 surveillance planes, vital intelligence tools that protect our troops on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Edwards.

Baylor will receive $500,000 added to the bill by Edwards to help military families cope with the stresses of loved ones serving in combat. The project will involve research into the poorly understood aspects of the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on the families of soldiers, specifically the long term impact on older veterans and on their children who are currently serving in the military. The study would be done in conjunction with the VA Center for Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans (COE).

“Military families are the unsung heroes of our nation’s defense,” said Edwards. “Ensuring they have the support they need to cope with the stress of their loved ones’ deployment and return to civilian life is the least we can do to honor their service and sacrifice.”

Dr. Truell Hyde, Vice Provost for Research at Baylor University said, “With funding secured in the Defense Appropriation bill by Congressman Edwards, Baylor University and the VISN 17 Center for Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans will address the correlation between coping strategies within families and the impact of the adjustment of soldiers returning from combat. This project will also look to more effectively target assistance for military personnel — both before and after deployment.”

Baylor will also receive $1 million added to the bill by Edwards for research targeted toward extending the life of legacy avionics systems, specifically the F/A-18. The project will build on previous avionics life extension developments with the C/D model and apply them to newer models. The extension of existing avionics systems will allow the deferral of upgrades that could save the Department of Defense millions of dollars.

Dr. Truell Hyde said, “The funds secured by Congressman Edwards in will support the purchase of necessary equipment to advance the research at Baylor Avionics Research and Development (BARD) laboratory, which will help meet the analytical needs of aerospace and aviation companies in central Texas. With this equipment, BARD will be able to conduct specific research related to extending the life of legacy systems, as well as reducing costs and improving performance of aeronautical systems. Additionally, this project will support new jobs in the greater Waco area and better prepare students for employment in the region’s avionics industry.”

The bill must still pass the Senate, and be sent to the president for his signature.

Lawmakers push for new Darnall proposal

econnor — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Killeen Daily News: Lawmakers push for new Darnall proposal

Special to the Daily Herald | Killeen Daily Herald | Thursday, Jul. 23 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. John Carter, R-Round Rock, and Chet Edwards, D-Waco, recommended to Pentagon officials on Wednesday that the new Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood be built in its entirety starting in 2010, rather than in two phases as planned.

Fort Hood officials have told the two congressmen that more than $100 million could be saved if their proposal is adopted by the Pentagon.

Carter and Edwards submitted a bipartisan request to the Defense Department to complete Phases I and II of the replacement project simultaneously with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the supplemental appropriations bill, which became law earlier this year, that funds U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Carter and Edwards added $488 million to renovate military hospitals under the bill as members of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriations.

"Combining Phases I and II would be a win for the taxpayer and our military families," Carter said. "We would save on construction costs and improve health services more quickly. With the majority of Recovery Act funds remaining unspent and unclaimed, we could put those funds to use right now on this project for the benefit of all."

Current construction plans call for Phase I of the project to break ground in September 2010, with completion set for 2013 at the current site of Fort Hood Stadium, and will include a three-story clinic building and a three-story ancillary building.

The buildings will house numerous departments including primary care clinics and general surgery. Phase 2 of the project is currently set to begin in 2016 with completion by 2019. It will include a five-story tower that will house the emergency department, the medical surgery center, intensive care units and other departments.

Carter currently represents Fort Hood. Edwards represented the facility before congressional redistricting in 2004.