November 2007

Dear Seniors:

As we approach Veterans Day we are reminded of how important it is to ensure that the service and sacrifice of local veterans is properly honored. Over the past year, the Democrat-led Congress has made significant strides on behalf of veterans, and, more specifically, veterans’ healthcare needs. Here is an update on a few of our key efforts.

As Chairman of the National Security Subcommittee, I chaired the first congressional hearing on the inadequate care and attention our soldiers were receiving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Since the first hearing on March 5, 2007, the Subcommittee has held three “follow up” hearings to ensure measures were being taken to fix these serious problems.

The hearings at Walter Reed led to the swift passage of legislation entitled The Wounded Warriors Act (H.R. 1528), which aimed to correct the wrongs at Walter Reed and to meet the needs of servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and which passed by a vote of 426 to 0.

In response to the findings of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors, which was led by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of The Health and Human Services Department Donna Shalala, I have pledged to continue intense scrutiny of veterans’ healthcare and to see that the important recommendations suggested in the report are implemented.

The reform efforts continued with the passage of a bill that substantially enhances investments to meet Veterans’ needs. We increased the Veterans Administration’s (VA) budget by $6.7 billion above last year’s level, which reportedly represents the largest single increase in the 77 year history of the VA. After investigating the treatment centers at Walter Reed, I am pleased with this historic increase in veterans funding which will hopefully go a long way toward ensuring our troops receive the care they deserve.

We will be exploring further, in upcoming hearings with the National Security Subcommittee, through my upcoming cable show featuring guest Representative Chet Edwards, a Chairman of on of Congress’ most important Subcommittees (watch for the show on your local cable channels) and by correspondence with you and through my website, about where our government stands in implementing needed improvements on behalf of veterans. Also, in the very near future, I will be announcing a web-based interactive contest for students and veterans on my website, so please keep your eyes on http://tierney.house.gov for details.

As always I encourage you to contact Cheryl Gresek, Constituent Service Representative, in the Office of Congressman John Tierney at 1-978-531-1669 if you need additional assistance.

Sincerely,



John F. Tierney
Member of Congress