For Immediate Release
November 15, 2007

Contact: Dorinda White
(202) 225-7084

Lois Hill Hale
(323) 965-1422

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (D-CA) honored all veterans and fallen heroes of the 33rd Congressional District at an event held at Holman United Methodist Church on Veteran's Day. Congresswoman Watson emphasized how government can prevent veterans from being left behind and spoke of the transition from the battlefield to the work world.

“It is the true patriot that does not forget our brave men and women who have fought to defend our nation once they take off their uniforms and re-enter the civilian world,” said Rep. Watson. 

Keynote speaker James Maddox, President, Vietnam Veterans of America, described the mental health conditions that veterans suffer after seeing the aftermath of bombs, destruction, and death unfold before their eyes.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Director of the Veterans Administration, Leslie Marin, confirmed the longer a veteran awaits diagnosis, the longer the treatment. 

The House of Representatives and Senate recently approved the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Spending Bill.  Under this bill an additional $600 million dollars will be allotted for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

In addition, Congresswoman Watson introduced (H.R.1853), the Jose Medina Veterans Affairs Act to provide training for veteran affairs police officers who work with mentally ill veterans. 

“We must assure that every veteran is treated with dignity and respect,” said Watson.

Congresswoman Watson’s Veteran’s Day remarks follow:

“This Veteran’s Day, we honor the service of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with all American veterans. 
         
“This year, the House of Representatives passed a spending bill that provides the largest budget increase in the 77 year history of the Veterans Administration (VA), including increases for health care to ensure that our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive the quality health care and benefits that they have earned.

"Too many of our veterans from past and present wars are suffering from catastrophic illnesses as a result of their experiences.   The House and Senate passed the Military Construction and VA Spending Bill for Fiscal Year 2008, which includes $600 million dollars more for mental health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.), and Traumatic Brain Injury (T.B.I.). 
         
"We have also voted to increase military pay by 3.5 percent, and help the 60,000 survivors and widows of those who have died from service-related injures, who currently lose survivor benefits under the Military Families Tax.

"I introduced House Resolution (H.R. 1853), the Jose Medina Veterans Affairs Act.  This piece of legislation will provide training for veteran affairs police officers who work with mentally ill veterans.

"The Iraq War is costing the American people $12 billion a month, when you include money spent on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and C.I.A. operations.  How can we spend $12 billion a month on a war, but we cannot give the poorest children in this country health care?  There is something wrong with this picture.

"Our nation’s resources need to be focused on our domestic needs, like rebuilding New Orleans, which is still suffering after Hurricane Katrina, education, housing and health care, among others.

"We must end this war now and bring our troops home."

Congresswoman Watson held a moment of silence to honor the following fallen heroes of California’s 33rd District:

Corporal Jorge Alonso Gonzalez; Private 1st Class Francisco Abraham Martinez-Flores; Sergeant 1st Class John Winston Marshall; Staff Sergeant Eddie E. Menyweather; Chief Warrant Officer Christopher G. Nason; Staff Sergeant Abraham D. Penamedina; Lance Corporal Benjamin R. Gonzalez; Corporal Roberto Abad; Private 1st Class Geoffrey Perez; Specialist Omead H. Razani; Sergeant Edgar E. Lopez; Sergeant 1st Class Joselito O. Villanueva; Lance Corporal Victor R. Lu; Lance Corporal George J. Payton; Lance Corporal Luis A. Figueroa; Sergeant Trinidad R. Martinezluis; Staff Sergeant Juan de Dios Garcia-Arana; Lance Corporal Dion M. Whitley; Lance Corporal Veshna Muy; Corporal Carlos Pineda; Sergeant Milton M. Monzon Jr.; Corporal Carlos Arrelano Pandura; Lance Corporal Felipe D. Sandoval-Flores;Lance Corporal Salvador Guerrero.