Chet Edwards For Congress - Veterans and Military Retirees

Fighting for America's Veterans and Military Retirees

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 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

Bill would help improve barracks, hospitals

Kat — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:36:08 -0700

Bill would help improve barracks, hospitals

The Army Times
By Karen Jowers | Times staff writer | Monday June 23, 2008

A $72.8 billion bill that would provide better barracks for some Marine and soldier trainees, fix antiquated military medical facilities, hire more veterans claims processors and increase access to care for veterans has cleared its first hurdle in the House of Representatives.

"There are not many lobbyists running around Capitol Hill fighting for better housing for 18- and 19-year-old young men and women who made the decision to serve and sacrifice for our country," noted Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas.

Lawmakers have added $200 million for extra troop housing for soldier and Marine trainees to the Pentagon's fiscal 2009 military construction request.

"We want to send the message to soldiers and Marines that we value and respect their decision to serve by improving the barracks they live in when they train," said Edwards, chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on military construction and veterans affairs.

The subcommittee passed the bill unanimously by voice vote.

The extra barracks funding is part of the overall $24.8 billion bill for military construction, barracks and family housing, and base realignment and closure actions, which is $400 million more than the Pentagon's fiscal 2009 budget request.

Edwards said lawmakers learned in recent hearings that there is an "enormous" need to refurbish military medical treatment facilities, many of which are old and do not meet current standards for care.

In a Feb. 7 hearing with the senior enlisted advisers, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston said that while military medical facilities generally are well-maintained and operated, they are old and are not configured or constructed to provide the full range of treatment available in modern medical facilities.

Of the 25 major Army hospitals or medical centers, eight are more than 50 years old, and many others are between 25 and 50 years old.

Edwards said he hoped lawmakers' efforts to provide more funding have brought the issue to the attention of top officials, and that future budget submissions will include funding increases to address the backlog.

The bill also provides funding to hire an additional 1,400 Veterans Affairs claims processors, in addition to the 703 new hires that were included in the VA's 2009 budget submission.

All told, the bill would provide $47.7 billion in discretionary funding for VA. That is $2.9 billion above the White House's 2009 budget request, and $4.6 billion more than this year's VA budget.

The bill includes $3.8 billion for specialty mental health services and $584 million for substance abuse programs. Edwards said lawmakers want to increase their oversight in those areas to ensure VA is able to provide the best care now and in the future for veterans with mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder, who are struggling with substance abuse or considering suicide, and those suffering from sexual trauma.

"One of the biggest challenges is to make sure VA follows through," said Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn. "The VA is a big bureaucracy. If Congress doesn't lead and direct and hold them accountable, all the money in the world is not going to lead to more efficiency. We're throwing a lot of money at them, [but] it's easier to appropriate or allocate money than it is to hold these agencies accountable."

Lawmakers added $11 million for VA's inspector general to restore a budget cut that was made in the administration's original request, and to provide additional personnel to inspect community-based outpatient clinics and vet centers.

The bill also would provide:

• $200 million to increase access to fee-based care for veterans in areas where VA does not offer services.

• $568 million to increase VA health care enrollment of middle-income veterans.

• $300 million to address a maintenance backlog at VA medical facilities.

• $58 million to restore a cut made by VA for medical research in trauma, mental health and other areas important to veterans .

Vote doubles education benefits for vets

Kat — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:11:13 -0700

Vote doubles education benefits for vets

By Matt Smith | Cleburne Times Review | June 23 2008

The GI Bill of Rights, an amendment to a bill funding the war on terror, passed the U.S. House Thursday by a 416-12 vote. The bill doubles veterans education benefits to fully cover four-year college costs for U.S. service members. The bill is funded by $68.2 billion over 10 years. Another $8.2 billion included in the bill will fund unemployment benefits for veterans for 13 weeks past the regular 26 week period.

President Bush, who initially threatened to veto the bill, has now indicated his intention to sign it into law. The bill must first pass the Senate later this week.

House members voted 268-155 to approve $162 billion in funding for the war on terror. The GI bill was an amendment to that bill. Both will be rolled into one bill for the Senate vote.

The education portion of the bill is tagged to the public university with the highest tuition rate in each state, said Josh Taylor, communications director for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco. The bill restores the promise of the original GI Bill, passed in 1944, to ensure a full four-year college education for America's veterans, Edwards said. The bill doubles the benefit from about $9,000 to about $18,000 per year.

"Not only will this strengthen our military," Edwards said. "It will also allow the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan to spur the American economic recovery, just as the original GI Bill did after World War II."

Under the bill, U.S. servicemen and women returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served three years of active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public tuition. They would also receive a monthly stipend of about $1,000 for living expenses and $1,000 annually for books. Veterans who serve six years or more may also transfer their education benefits to their children and spouses.

Current veteran education benefits only cover about 60 percent of the cost of a public school education, Edwards said.

"This new GI Bill must become the law of the land," Edwards said. "Our veterans deserve no less."

A Promise Fulfilled

Kat — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:46:41 -0700

The American Legion Vision | May 28, 2008

A Promise Fulfilled

Rep. Chet Edwards is living up to the legacy of the man known in Washington as "Mr. Veteran."

Texas Democrat Chet Edwards may never have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, but his 18 years in Congress have been shaped by those who did.

Until his district map was redrawn in 2003, U.S. Rep. Edwards counted among his constituents the massive Fort Hood Army community and a strong population of military retirees and veterans who make central Texas their home. He no longer has Fort Hood, but he does represent in Congress Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush's hometown of Crawford, and has fought diligently to keep the Waco VA Medical Center from closing.

On the national level, however, is where Edwards has made his biggest impact on the lives of veterans. He received The American Legion's 2008 Distinguished Public Service Award after shepherding the largest one-year funding increase in the history of VA – $11.8 billion – while serving on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. "Chet went above and beyond in keeping us informed and telling the truth," American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser said when presenting the award in early April.

"To be a politician accused of telling the truth – what a special thing," Edwards quipped in response .

The award, he said, "was an honor I will always cherish. I know the real heroes are our nation's veterans. I am simply fighting to provide the funding and services that our veterans have already earned through their service and sacrifice to our country."

Edwards told Legionnaires gathered during the 48th Washington Conference that morning that his efforts to raise the bar on VA health-care funding are not a one-time shot. "In the new Congress, with your partnership, it will be a new day for America's veterans. We know there is so much more that needs to be done." Edwards recently spoke with The American Legion Magazine.

Q: Your relationship with veterans runs deep. What's the source of that?

A: My political mentor was Olin E. "Tiger" Teague, who earned two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars in World War II, fighting in Europe. He chaired the VA committee for over a decade, and was known as "Mr. Veteran" in Congress. When he first approached me to run for office in 1978, he asked me to make one promise to him. He asked me to never forget veterans if I got elected. I don't make a lot of promises, but that's one commitment I intend to keep.

My father was a naval aviator in World War II, and having represented Fort Hood for 14 years in Congress, including the first war in Iraq, I have seen up close and firsthand the incredible sacrifices made by our servicemen and women and their families. Those are reasons why I am so passionate about honoring and respecting those who have served our country in uniform.

Q: The Waco VA Medical Center in your district was pegged for closure under the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services plan. Now, it's off the chopping block and looking to pick up patients from other VA facilities in the state. How did that transformation occur?

A: The CARES recommendation to close the Waco VA was based on faulty data – faulty data that did not take into account, among other things, the need for medical care for our returning Iraq and Afghan war veterans. I felt it would have been a moral outrage to close the Waco VA hospital during a time of war, when Fort Hood, with two divisions serving continuously in Iraq, was so close by. One other point: the Waco VA has long been a Center of Excellence for PTSD. It has one of the few in-house long-term PTSD programs in the country, and it's a very respected one. CARES got it wrong. This was an example of democracy working. The local veterans led the fight. Local officials, Sen. (Kay Bailey) Hutchison, and I joined with them. It was a great victory for veterans.

Now, the Waco VA is not just a key resource for Texas veterans. It is a key resource for blind rehab and PTSD all over the country.

Q: Veterans in many areas around the country still await hospitals recommended for construction under CARES. Isn't that an example of the gap between budget promises and actual funding?

A: The congressional budgeting process is confusing to most people. It's a three-step process. First, we have a budget resolution that sets out broad parameters of the federal budget. Then, the appropriations committee divides up the pie and says how much we get for the VA and Military Construction Committee, versus the other subcommittees. That's a critical part of the process that goes largely unnoticed. Then, finally, on my subcommittee, we go to work deciding exactly how those dollars are spent. The battle is won or lost at the budget committee level and at the ... allocation level. That is where the decisions are made about how much money goes into VA programs.

The other part is the authorizing process. Just because a project is authorized does not mean it's funded. There are projects that could have been authorized for decades that were never funded. Appropriations is where the rubber meets the road. When I came in as chairman in January of 2007, my frustration was that the veteran, veterans health care, and benefits programs had been on a treadmill for the past decade. While there were increases in the budget, they seldom kept up with inflation and population growth of veterans. Veterans were on a stationary treadmill at best, and falling backwards at worst.

Q: So you had some catching up to do.

A: We had some catching up to do. That is why I am so excited that we passed in just 12 months an $11.8 billion increase in VA health care and benefits programs.

Q: A few years ago, they revised the appropriations subcommittees, and The American Legion was concerned that VA and DoD would be put into competition with one another in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee you chair. How is the new subcommittee working out?

A: I think it was a good decision because now we don't have veterans competing with NASA and housing programs. The common bond of our subcommittee is we are fighting for quality of life and health-care programs for our servicemen and women for our veterans and their families. The key to our subcommittee's work is receiving a strong allocation of funding. Credit should be given where credit is due. Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi, along with Congressmen John Spratt and Dave Obey have been real champions in seeing that my subcommittee had an unprecedented amount of funding to spend on troops and our veterans.

Q: That subcommittee seems like one of many examples where VA and DoD are growing more united in government.

A: There is a tie. Jack Murtha's subcommittee on defense appropriations funds DoD operations and maintenance for hospitals. Our subcommittee funds military construction for new hospitals for major improvements for DoD. One of the things Mr. Murtha and I have discussed is pushing VA and DoD toward a more seamless transition in health care.

Q: In 2005, The American Legion and many members of Congress identified a looming shortfall in the VA budget. When it hit and emergency funding was needed, the problem was connected to unanticipated demand growth from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans entering the system. How do you prevent that from happening again?

A: Really good question. First, we adequately fund the VA health-care system. That $11.8 billion increase – about 95 percent of that goes to the VA health-care system. That's the first key step. The second is that I added report language to the VA appropriations bill two years ago to require the VA to report detailed information quarterly to the Congress so that we don't have to wait until the fourth quarter of a fiscal year to find out that the VA health-care system is in a crisis. The third thing I would add to that is I find The American Legion, along with our local hospitals and veterans, play an instrumental role in providing feedback to Congress on what's really happening in the VA system. The American Legion was an instrumental partner in passing the largest increase in VA health-care benefits funding in the 77-year history of the VA. The American Legion really does make a difference. A big difference.

Eleven days after Secretary (Jim) Nicholson was confirmed, he said the VA health-care system had all the money it needed. I said, "Well sir, with all due respect, your staff has not given you the true facts."

I knew that to be the case because I had heard from The American Legion and from our local veterans and from employees working in the VA hospitals. Those three things – adequate budgets, quarterly reports from VA, and constant outreach at the grassroots level– are the way we prevent a repeat of a VA health-care system in crisis.

Q: What has been done to improve VA demand projections, which at times have been outdated by the time the budgets are passed?

A: Demand projections, which were very flawed in the past, have been vastly improved. It's a difficult process. It's an art, not just a science. There have been significant improvements in the modeling for projecting the number of veterans needing VA health care ... plus, we need to be constantly vigilant in reviewing during the year whether the actual numbers meet the projected numbers.

Q: What are some of the most important accomplishments for veterans so far from the 110th Congress?

A: We increased funding for VA more in one year than in the previous six years in Congress. By the end of this year, we will have increased it more in two years than in the previous 12. Most of that funding was focused on improving VA health care. As a result, the VA has hired 1,335 new doctors and 4,968 new nurses and nurse assistants. They are in the process of plussing up medical services personnel by 15,000. What that means to an individual veteran is better health care and shorter waiting times for their medical services.

We provided a huge increase, and an important one, for VA mental health care services because of the needs of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans coming home. We added funding for 3,100 new claims processors to reduce the unfair six-month waiting times for veterans to have their benefits decided. For the first time since 1979, we increased VA gas mileage from 11 cents to 28.5 cents per mile, for veterans who have to drive long distances to receive their care. To some veterans, that may not seem like a lot. For some veterans, it's the difference between being able to afford to go to the VA hospital or not. We increased medical research, in real dollars, above inflation for the first time in over a decade. We committed over $1 billion for major construction projects to ensure we don't have a Walter Reed Annex 18 tragedy at VA. Those are just some of the things.

Q: Why have these funding improvements been so long in coming?

A: At the end of the day, this isn't just about dollars and programs, it's about respect. Veterans have always been respected by Congress, in our hearts and our words. I thought it was time to show our respect through our deeds, as well. When it comes to veterans, the moral principle is very simple. Our nation should keep its promises to those who have kept their promises.

Q: Do you foresee a day when all veterans are once again allowed to use VA health-care services?

A: Yes, I do. We can't do it overnight because it would result in a massive increase in waiting times and a reduction in the quality of health care for veterans. But I am hoping that the unprecedented increases for VA hospitals in our last budget was the first step toward opening up our hospitals to more veterans. It's just flat unfair to say that a veteran in some parts of the country making $30,000 a year is too wealthy to receive VA health care. His neighbor might be making $150,000 a year because he didn't make the sacrifices of service that a veteran did. I am hopeful we can start phasing in higher income thresholds for veterans to receive VA care.

Q: What about mandatory funding for VA health care?

A: The ultimate goal is to adequately fund the VA and to do it on a timely basis. Mandatory funding could be a plus or a minus. If mandatory VA health-care funding had been in place last year, the pay-as-you-go rules would have made it virtually impossible to provide an $11.8 billion increase in VA discretionary spending. The goal of mandatory funding – adequate funding and funding on time – is absolutely laudable, and I support that goal 100 percent. We could continue to have unprecedented increases in VA funding through the appropriations process – and if we could get that funding on time each year – then a case could be made that would be more beneficial to veterans. I am glad The American Legion has pushed the goal of mandatory funding because that puts pressure on Congress to increase VA funding and to do a better job of getting these bills passed on time.

'09 budget increases funding for vets

Kat — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:37:32 -0700

'09 budget increases funding for vets

Cleburne Times Review | Jun 10 2008

Edwards: "When it comes to veterans, our nation has a moral obligation to keep its promise to those who kept their promises to serve our nation in uniform. After years of veterans budgets that barely, if at all, kept pace with inflation, leaving America's heroes with inadequate health care and benefits, it is now a new day for our vets."

Final passage of the fiscal year 2009 budget passed the U.S. House Thursday after having passed the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. The budget increases veterans' spending over last year by $4.9 billion.

"When it comes to veterans, our nation has a moral obligation to keep its promise to those who kept their promises to serve our nation in uniform," U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, said. "After years of veterans budgets that barely, if at all, kept pace with inflation, leaving America's heroes with inadequate health care and benefits, it is now a new day for our vets."

Edwards, a senior member of the House Budget Committee, was a member of the House-Senate conference committee that wrote the final budget plan that included the increase in veterans' spending.

"Starting in 2007, the new Congress increased veterans health care and benefits by $11.8 billion, the largest increase in the 77 year history of the Veterans Administration," Edwards said. "Today, I am proud to say that the 2009 budget plan keeps faith with America's veterans by increasing VA funding to $48.2 billion, $3.3 billion above the Bush administration's request and $4.9 billion above the record 2008 level."

Major veterans groups strongly supported the budget, including the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Edwards said.

Passage of the 2009 budget resolution puts America on a path to a balanced budget by 2012, Edwards said. The budget passed the Senate by a 48 to 45 vote. It passed the House by a 214 to 210 vote.

Vets Champ Edwards Honored with VFW Cong. Award ...

Kat — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:59:38 -0700

Veterans Champion Edwards Honored with National VFW Congressional Award Given to Only One Member of Congress

One of Only Four Texans to Ever Receive Prestigious Award (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Chet Edwards was honored this week by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) with their national 2008 Congressional Award, given to only one member of Congress annually for outstanding service to veterans, troops, and their families. In his first year as Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee in 2007, Edwards authored $11.8 billion in increased veterans’ health care and benefits, the largest increase in veterans funding in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“It is a privilege to work alongside the VFW to improve health care and benefits for America’s veterans, and I am deeply humbled by this honor,” said Edwards. “There is much more work to do, but this historic $11.8 billion funding increase represents a new day for America’s veterans and their families, who have earned every dime of it through their service and sacrifice for country.”

The VFW Congressional Award has been presented annually to only one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans. VFW National Commander George Lisicki presented the award to Edwards at the annual VFW Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. on March 3rd.

"Our military, our veterans, and our families of past and present have no better friend in Congress than Chet Edwards," said Commander Lisicki. "I am honored to present this prestigious VFW national award to him."

Edwards is only the fourth Texan to receive the Congressional Award from the VFW, America's oldest major veterans' organization established in 1899. The others were Rep. Olin Teague (D-6th), Edwards’ former boss and mentor, in 1969, Rep. George H. Mahon (D-19th) in 1974, and Sen. John Tower (R) in 1983.

VFW selects Chet Edwards for National Award

Kat — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:24:57 -0700

January 24, 2008

Waco Trib: VFW Selects Chet Edwards for National Award

Waco Tribune | From staff reports

"...a champion in our corner..." , "... no better friend in Congress than Chet Edwards."

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, has been selected to receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ 2008 Congressional Award for his outstanding service to veterans, servicemembers and their families.

Edwards, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, will be presented the award March 3 at the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Community Service and Legislative Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in northwest Washington.

“This award is extremely important to the VFW,” said VFW National Commander George Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J., “because it recognizes a champion who is in our corner in Congress.”

The VFW Congressional Award has been presented annually since 1964 to one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of those who have worn the uniform. Past recipients include strong national security and veterans’ advocates, such as Mississippi’s Sen. John Stennis (D) and Rep. “Sonny” Montgomery (D), and South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond (R), among many others. Last year the award went to Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent.

According to a VFW press release: “Edwards, now in his ninth term, has been a staunch supporter of the 50,000 veterans within his district, and for the tens of thousands of soldiers and family members at nearby Fort Hood. His successful fight to keep the Waco VA Medical Center from closing served not only his constituency, but is now benefiting those returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through a research partnership with the Army to examine post-traumatic stress disorders. He helped block Pentagon efforts to raise military retiree Tricare medical premiums, eliminated the Survivor Benefit Plan reduction for military widows, and is working to ensure every disabled military retiree receives their VA and military pay concurrently without offset.”

According to Lisicki, Edwards was a driving force behind the record $6.6 billion increase to VA’s discretionary budget this year.

“Our military, our veterans, and our families of past and present have no better friend in Congress than Chet Edwards,” said Lisicki. “I am honored to present this prestigious VFW national award to him.”

Edwards is the fourth Texan to receive the VFW Congressional Award. The others were Rep. Olin Teague (D) in 1969, Rep. George H. Mahon (D) in 1974, and Sen. John Tower (R) in 1983.

Edwards Honored by American Legion

Kat — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:08:22 -0700

April 2, 2008

Edwards Honored by American Legion with Distinguished Public Service Award Given to Only One Member of Congress

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Chet Edwards was honored by the American Legion this week with the Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor given by the nation’s largest veterans organization. In his first year as Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee in 2007, Edwards authored $11.8 billion in increased veterans’ health care and benefits, the largest increase in veterans funding in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“It is a privilege to work alongside the American Legion to improve health care and benefits for America’s veterans, and I am deeply humbled by this honor,” said Edwards. “There is much more work to do, but I am proud of the unprecedented $11.8 billion VA increase last year. Our veterans deserve every dime of that funding.”

The American Legion’s Distinguished Public Service Award has been presented annually to only one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans. American Legion Commander Marty Conatser presented the award to Edwards on April 1st in Washington D.C. during their annual conference.

"The American Legion thoroughly appreciates Congressman Edwards’ assistance in achieving this record appropriation for America’s veterans," said American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser. “Chet was steadfast in getting additional funding for the VA. I thank him for his friendship, and I thank him for what he does for us.”

Edwards: House Passes 21st Century GI Bill of Rights ...

Kat — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:04:40 -0700

Edwards: House Passes 21st Century GI Bill of Rights to Cover Veterans’ Cost of College Education

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Chet Edwards, Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, today supported House passage of a historic new GI Bill for the 21st Century that covers the cost of a college education for U.S. service men and women.

“For the 1.7 million brave men and women who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this legislation will make a college education a reality, not a dream,” said Rep. Edwards. “This new GI Bill for the 21st Century restores the promise of the GI Bill to pay for a full four-year college education for America’s veterans by doubling the current benefit from approximately $9,000 per year to $18,000 per year. Not only will this strengthen our military, it will also allow the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan to be part of spurring the American economic recovery -- just as the original GI Bill did after World War II.”

Under the new GI Bill, servicemembers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served 3 years on active duty, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school, along with a stipend for housing, books and other expenses. Education benefits would be available to troops who have served at least 3 months of active duty service since September 11, 2001, including members of the National Guard and Reserve. Right now, veterans’ education benefits cover only about 60 percent of the cost of a public-school education.

The new GI Bill is broadly supported by all major veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
In his first year as Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Edwards authored a historic increase of $11.8 billion in veterans’ health care and benefits, the largest increase in veterans funding in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Crawford man selected for Gulf War veterans committee

econnor — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Monday, May 05, 2008

Waco Trib: Crawford-area man selected for national Gulf War veterans committee

Waco Tribune
By David Doerr

A Crawford-area resident will occupy one of 13 seats on a recently formed national committee examining the needs of Gulf War veterans.

Gulf War veteran Kirt Love received word last week that he has been selected as a committee member after lobbying lawmakers to request the secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to create the committee. He said he hopes the committee works to end a dearth of information about the conditions of Gulf War veterans.

“It’s necessary to go back out and re-establish a new base line as of 2008 where do we really stand on Gulf War veterans,” said Love, 44. “Are they getting the benefits and the treatment? Are their family members being addressed? What are the current problems they are having right now? They really have no idea. It’s just a black hole, and what little information there is is certainly not provided to the public.”

Love said seven years have passed since a national committee focused on the treatment of Gulf War veterans. The new committee is to assess the effectiveness of benefits and services and to provide the VA secretary with recommendations for improvements.

A meeting schedule and means for veterans to communicate with the committee have not yet been established. Love said these details might not be worked out until the committee has its first meeting, which he hoped would happen by the end of June.

The committee’s charter gives it 18 months to complete its work, although Love hopes that time line can be extended. He said he would like the committee to offer a number of quick, short-term recommendations in addition to a larger package of long-term reform proposals.

Love said he hopes the committee will recommend the creation of new clinics in Texas capable of treating the complex and difficult-to-diagnose conditions associated with the Gulf War.

Although veterans may not yet be able to contact the committee, Love said once it is set up veterans’ input will be crucial.

“This is a revival, and I’m wanting to get people in the door because I know . . . that this issue is still alive,” he said. “It’s just that it has been so severely beaten down and mistreated over the years that these people are now carrying around multiple wounds. First it was the wounds of the Gulf and now it’s the emotional wounds of being treated like we didn’t serve in a real war.”

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, who nominated Love to serve on the committee, said he will bring a strong voice to the table and will represent Central Texas well.

“(Love) brings a deep passion to address needs of Gulf War veterans that are facing serious health problems, and he is not afraid to step on toes on behalf of veterans,” Edwards said.