NEWS FROM…
CHAIRMAN BOB FILNER
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

For more information contact:
Kristal DeKleer at 202-225-9756
http://veterans.house.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2007

House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation

House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Pleased at Bi-partisan Support

Washington, D.C. – A package of bills that honor our nation’s veterans won approval in the House of Representatives today.  Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) congratulated the members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee for their leadership on the issue of mental health care for our veterans, specifically legislation to implement a veterans suicide prevention program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  The House of Representatives passed the following legislation:   
 

1.      H.R. 327 – The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans

2.      H.R. 1808 – To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the "Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center"

3.      H.R. 2408 – To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as the "Milo C. Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic"

4.      H.Res. 680 – Condemning the actions of September 7, 2007, resulting in damage to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial

5.      H.Res. 237 – Supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year

H.R. 327 was passed by the House of Representatives as amended by the Senate and will be sent to the President to be signed into law. 

“One of the most pressing issues facing our returning service men and women is mental health care and I believe that H.R. 327 provides help to those in need,” said Chairman Filner.  “If we send our men and women off to war, we must, as a nation, do all we can to address their health care needs when they return. The stress of combat, combined with the stigma that exists for service members and veterans seeking mental health care services can have disastrous consequences.  H.R. 327 will provide the important tools to assist the VA in strengthening suicide prevention, education and awareness programs within the VA by mandating a comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans.” 

H.Res. 680 was approved by the House of Representatives.  This resolution condemns the actions that resulted in damage to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

“This memorial was conceived and designed to make no political statement about the war,” said Chairman Filner.  “It was designed as a place where everyone, regardless of opinion, could come together and remember and honor those who served – and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.  By doing so, the memorial has paved the way towards reconciliation and healing, a process that continues today.  That is why I was so disturbed to learn that someone walked along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and damaged the Wall with an unknown oily substance on the granite surface.  But more than just damaging the Wall, this disrespect of our nation’s veterans and their sacrifice damages the healing process and takes us, as a nation, back to a time when we shamefully did not honor or take care of our returning Vietnam Veterans.  Our nation is still healing from a divisive war.  Our nation, however, honors the sacrifices of its soldiers and veterans.  Let us remember the patriotism and valor of our Vietnam Veterans and let us condemn the discordant actions of those who seek to tarnish them.”

H.Res. 237 was approved by the House of Representatives.  This resolution encourages Americans to demonstrate support of veterans on Veterans Day each year by treating that day as a special day of reflection.  The resolution also requests the President to issue a proclamation in connection with the observance of Veterans Day.

“Our nation has a proud legacy of supporting the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this country,” said Chairman Filner.  “I encourage all Americans to reach out to veterans.  Thank them and their families for their amazing sacrifice.  Learn more about their great contributions to our country and gain the wisdom of their personal stories of our nation’s history.  Although we can never adequately thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice, we can humbly salute our brave veterans and soldiers.”

H.R. 1808 and H.R. 2408 name VA facilities after veterans and were passed by the House of Representatives.  These bills will be sent to the Senate for approval. 

“I am pleased that the Members of the House of Representatives came together to name two VA facilities after veteran heroes, Milo C. Huempfner and our former colleague Charlie Norwood,” said Chairman Filner.  “This is a fitting tribute to preserve the memories of these brave service members and honor their unselfish service to our country.” 

Attached is information on these veteran heroes.

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H.R. 1808 honors Charlie Norwood.  Norwood served as a Captain in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969, beginning with an assignment to the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  In 1968 he was transferred to the Medical Battalion of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, and served a combat tour at Quin Yon, An Khe, and LZ English at Bon Son.  During his tour, he participated in experimental military dental practices that are now standard procedure for the armed forces.  Norwood was one of the first participants in the Army's outreach program that delivered dentists to forward firebases in lieu of transferring patients to rear treatment areas.  He provided some of the first field-based dental treatment of military guard dogs, and assisted in non-dental trauma care in Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals. 

In recognition of his service under combat conditions, Norwood was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars.  After Vietnam, Norwood was assigned to the Dental Corps at Fort Gordon, Georgia, where he served until his discharge in 1969.  He remained a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the World Wars until his death.

H.R. 2408 honors Milo C. Huempfner.  Mr. Huempfner was the most decorated serviceman in Brown County during World War II.  In 1944, PFC Huempfner committed acts of extraordinary bravery and heroism during the final European campaign of World War II.  On December 20, 1944, in Belgium, PFC Huempfner was driving a truck loaded with ammunition that went off the road.  Sending his only comrade back to seek help and safety, Huempfner proceeded over the next 4 days and nights to wage war, single-handedly, against an entire German armored column.  During this time, he warned off numerous American and British troops from the area who otherwise would have been slaughtered by the Germans occupying the area. 

Mr. Huempfner was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military decoration, awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat.  After his military service he remained heavily involved in veterans activities.