SOURCE Press release issued March 8th
http://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/coffman-kilmer-praise-va-move-to-increase-mental-health-services-for-at-risk-veterans_-
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) praised an announcement from Veterans Affairs Secretary, David Shulkin, that the VA will move to immediately increase mental health services for at-risk veterans. At a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing VA Secretary Shulkin committed to providing mental health services for veterans with other than honorable discharges.
“I was delighted to hear Secretary Shulkin say that he is authorizing mental health assessments and urgent mental healthcare services for our veterans with “other than honorable” discharges. This will particularly help those suffering from the “invisible” wounds of combat that can lead to behavioral and other mental health conditions and, sadly in too many cases to an other than honorable discharge.” Said Representative Coffman, adding “This is a great first step, but Representative. Kilmer and I will continue to press for the passage of our Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act to make this authorization permanent.”
“Two years ago I met with a group of young veterans in Tacoma who described how some of our most at risk veterans were those struggling with mental health issues because of their experiences on the battlefield, and how in many cases those who need our help the most were being denied access to the medical professionals that could help them heal,” said Representative Kilmer. “This is good step forward and builds on the legislation I introduced with Representative Coffman to let more veterans facing a crisis know they are not alone. These folks should have a place to turn for expert support and treatment.”
A service member receives a less than honorable discharge, or “bad paper” discharge, when released from the military for relatively minor forms of misconduct. In many recent instances, however, this misconduct resulted from a service member’s experiences during a combat deployment.
Last year the New York Times reported on the experiences of service members like Kristofer Goldsmith, who was discharged from the Army for missing a plane to Baghdad while he was hospitalized. He was never screened for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and overdosed after coming home. Thomas Burke, currently at Yale Divinity School was charged with misconduct for drug use while serving in the Marines but was never evaluated for PTSD.
Since 2009, the Army has separated at least 22,000 combat veterans diagnosed with mental health disabilities or TBI for alleged misconduct. This has occurred despite congressionally mandated reforms intended to halt the administrative separations of veterans suffering from service-related conditions.
The bill also requires a third-party study of veteran suicide to review: The effect of combat service on veteran suicide rates; the rate and method of suicide among veterans who have received healthcare from VA; and the rate and method of suicide among veterans who have not received healthcare from the VA.
According to the VA’s 2016 veteran suicide report, an average of 20 veterans per day commits suicide. However, evidence collected suggests that there is a decrease in rates of suicide among veterans receiving VA health care, as opposed to veterans who do not.
More news from our Congressional Delegation to Washington DC
Senator Murray Statement on Meeting with Agriculture Secretary Nominee Sonny Perdue
(Washington, D.C.) — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after meeting with President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, Governor Sonny Perdue.
“At a time when the families I represent have so many questions about the Trump Administration’s divisive and extreme agenda, I appreciate Governor Perdue sitting down with me today to discuss his thoughts about serving in the Cabinet and about programs at the Department of Agriculture that help working families in both the rural and urban areas of Washington state. I’m proud to come from a state that has a strong agricultural economy, which is supported by several Department of Agriculture programs that address issues from crop insurance to conservation and rural development. Continued commitment to these programs is critical to agricultural producers and rural communities, and I urged Governor Perdue to commit to protecting these. Just as important are food support and nutrition programs run by the Department of Agriculture, including SNAP, the school breakfast and lunch programs, and other key programs that offer a helping hand to fight hunger. Over 300,000 kids in Washington state are at risk of going hungry, and these programs are essential for working families who are one crisis away from going hungry.
“Republicans have targeted these programs for years, and I am concerned that under the pressure of President Trump’s extreme agenda, programs that help the most vulnerable members of our society are even more at risk. I asked for Governor Perdue’s commitment to continue supporting SNAP, school nutrition programs, and the summer nutrition programs that help kids during the summer months. I made very clear that decreased access or reduced benefits would be unacceptable – and that in order to earn my support, I needed assurance that he could be a voice for families and not simply another voice for millionaires and billionaires in this Trump cabinet. I hope Governor Perdue considers our discussion as he moves through the confirmation process, and that he publicly makes his support for these programs clear before his nomination comes before the full Senate.”
http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=61D0727D-28BE-4CC7-B7EF-5C5902185021
Sen. Murray, Sen. Collins, and Rep. Langevin Renew Bipartisan Push to Expand Veteran Caregiver Services to Veterans of All Eras
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) to reintroduce bipartisan legislation in both the Senate and the House to expand a successful program that helps those who care for wounded, ill, or injured veterans. The Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act would open the program to veterans of all eras, making resources available to more of the family members and other loved ones who have taken on a caregiver role for veterans.
A RAND study commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, titled “Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers,” demonstrated that caregivers, often a spouse, parent, child, or even a close friend, sacrifice their own physical, emotional, and financial well-being in order to provide care to servicemembers and veterans that improves quality of life and can result in faster and improved rehabilitation and recovery. The legislation being reintroduced today recognizes that sacrifice and offers support services.
“Even though military caregivers don’t wear uniforms or go overseas, they still serve our country – and they need to know their country is there to support them when they put their own lives on hold to care for a loved one who served,” Senator Murray said. “This bill is an important step in ensuring caregivers and veterans of all eras can access this critical program, allowing veterans stay with their loves ones and out of hospitals and nursing homes.”
http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=C09E2133-9BE8-4290-AF9D-729FC9AEC387
VETERANS: Two Leading Groups Honor Senator Patty Murray for Her Work on IVF Legislation
(Washington, D.C.) — Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) was honored to receive national recognition today from two leading groups for her work to ensure veterans with service-connected injuries have access to assisted reproductive technology, including IVF. Last December, President Obama signed legislation into law that gave the Department of Veterans Affairs the authority to cover the costs of assisted reproductive technology for the first time since the early 1990s. Sen. Murray thanked both groups, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the National Military Families Association, for their partnership in making the legislation a reality, as well as for supporting Sen. Murray’s newly-reintroduced bill to expand the Caregivers program.
http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=AC73A908-E854-4A28-9EA4-BEE91433E7FE
Cantwell, Burr & Tillis Reintroduce Bill to Identify Solutions for Inadequate Doppler Radar
Cantwell: Better weather forecasting means first responders can better protect human life and property
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Burr (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) re-introduced legislation to identify solutions for areas across the country that lack sufficient severe weather detection.
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-burr-and-tillis-reintroduce-bill-to-identify-solutions-for-inadequate-doppler-radar
Senators to Trump Admin: Coast Guard Critical to National, Economic Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Gary Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) led a bipartisan group of 23 senators urging Office of Management and Budget Administrator Mick Mulvaney not to make a $1.3 billion dollar cut to the budget of the United States Coast Guard. According to reports, the FY 2018 Presidential Budget Request could amount to almost 12 percent of the service’s budget being cut.
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-to-trump-admin-coast-guard-critical-to-national-economic-security
Cantwell, Murray Push for Better Worker Safety Protection, End Retaliation Against Hanford Workers and Whistleblowers
Senators Ask IG to Address Workers’ Concerns with Compensation Claims Following Chemical Vapor Exposures
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) wrote the Acting Inspector General in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to urge implementation of safety recommendations for Hanford workers and to encourage protection of whistleblowers. The senators also requested that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) review the third-party company who handles workers’ compensation claims at Hanford, Penser North America, Inc.
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-murray-push-for-better-worker-safety-protection-end-retaliation-against-hanford-workers-and-whistleblowers-
Cantwell, House & Senate Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Timber Innovation Act
Legislation will help spur economic development through the construction of tall wood buildings
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senator Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and several of her Senate and House colleagues, reintroduced the Timber Innovation Act – bipartisan, bicameral legislation that aims to find new and innovative uses for wood as a building material. The legislation will accelerate the research and development of wood for use in construction projects – such a cross-laminated timber – focusing on the construction of buildings over 85 feet in height.
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-house-and-senate-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-timber-innovation-act-
Local stories making headlines...
Peninsula Daily News: Clallam County renews contracts for mental health, chemical dependency treatment
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/clallam-county-renews-contracts-for-mental-health-chemical-dependency-treatment/
Peninsula Daily News: Port Angeles Civic Field improvement expected to be place in time for first Lefties game
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/port-angeles-civic-field-improvement-expected-to-be-place-in-time-for-first-lefties-game/
Peninsula Daily News: Port Angeles city manager concerned about upcoming second-class-city vote
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/port-angeles-city-manager-concerned-about-upcoming-second-class-city-vote/
Editorial Comment: I say again, I bet half if not all of those who signed that petition now regretting the did, and probably vote against the change. Now more so after the city agreed to put the issue of fluoridation to the voters, and agreed to go along with what the voters decide on. So this whole issue of changing to a second class city is a moot point.
Peninsula Daily News: Port of Port Angeles in talks with new airline; Zephyr proposal still on table
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/port-of-port-angeles-in-talks-with-new-airline-zephyr-proposal-still-on-table/
Peninsula Daily News: Clallam County sends letter to Department of Natural Resources on timber harvests, marbled murrelet
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/clallam-county-sends-letter-to-department-of-natural-resources-on-timber-harvests-marbled-murrelet/
Peninsula Daily News: Subsidy would be needed for passenger air service in Port Angeles, official says
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/subsidy-would-be-needed-for-passenger-air-service-in-port-angeles-official-says/
PORT O CALL: Create our own airline, here’s how.
http://portocallpublishing.com/2017/02/create-our-own-airline-heres-how/
KONP RADIO: McKeen Reviews PA's Overall Health To Chamber Of Commerce
http://konp.com/the_full_story.php?news_id=12350
KONP RADIO: Fire burns part of mill power generating plant
http://konp.com/the_full_story.php?news_id=12352
Sequim Gazette: Is Clallam opening the door to tiny houses?
http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/is-clallam-opening-the-door-to-tiny-houses/
Forks Forum: Makah Cultural and Research Center receive $232,000 grant from National Endowment for the Humanities
http://www.forksforum.com/news/makah-cultural-and-research-center-receive-232000-grant-from-national-endowment-for-the-humanities
PT LEADER: PT high schooler rescues boaters
http://www.ptleader.com/news/pt-high-schooler-rescues-boaters/article_6987c9e4-038d-11e7-84a0-0f7df0047c4f.html
News from Across the Strait (Victoria BC)
TIMES COLONIST: Working group set up to establish Langford-Victoria commuter rail service
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/working-group-set-up-to-establish-langford-victoria-commuter-rail-service-1.11324219
TIMES COLONIST: Wrongful dismissal nets fired Oak Bay Marina employee $89,349
http://www.timescolonist.com/business/wrongful-dismissal-nets-fired-oak-bay-marina-employee-89-349-1.11324217
VICTORIA NEWS: Senior care will improve, health minister vows
http://www.vicnews.com/news/415818354.html
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
Free bible study offered by World Bible School
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
NEWS NOTEBOOK
You probably have already guessed I changed back to a single page format, not all these pages on the side panel menu I had even got me confused at times, so the front page is back being the report for that day. The side panel pages will be for short stories and special features.
