Sacred Contract
Democratic Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa has been working hard to pass the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act. The bill is named for a soldier from Grundy Center, Iowa, who took his own life after returning from Iraq. The bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to step up screening, counseling and other mental health services for returning war veterans. The bill passed the House unanimously. With a few small changes the bill in the Senate also passed unanimously.
Memories of combat haunt many of the brave men and women who have served our country. We have a responsibility to our veterans to make sure they have access to the mental health care they deserve. Every American should be looking forward to Bush signing this critical bill into law to ensure that programs are in place to meet the needs of all veterans.
Furthermore, legislation has been added to the Defense Authorization Bill, that will increase support for families of those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Senator Harkin was inspired to introduce this bill after Bush decided to escalate the number of troops deployed in Iraq. More than 600 soldiers with the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard were notified that their combat tours in Anbar Province would be extended to 16 months. He received scores of anguished letters and calls from their family members, who were already struggling alone with the stress of having their loved ones deployed in one of the most violent regions of Iraq. He realize that, while active duty families benefit from a number of family support programs, Guard and Reserve families do not have access to the same services, despite the fact that the Guard and Reserves are shouldering a significant burden of our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a veteran, Senator Harkin believes that our government has a sacred contract with those who have fought for our country and sacrificed so much and to their families.
Memories of combat haunt many of the brave men and women who have served our country. We have a responsibility to our veterans to make sure they have access to the mental health care they deserve. Every American should be looking forward to Bush signing this critical bill into law to ensure that programs are in place to meet the needs of all veterans.
Furthermore, legislation has been added to the Defense Authorization Bill, that will increase support for families of those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Senator Harkin was inspired to introduce this bill after Bush decided to escalate the number of troops deployed in Iraq. More than 600 soldiers with the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard were notified that their combat tours in Anbar Province would be extended to 16 months. He received scores of anguished letters and calls from their family members, who were already struggling alone with the stress of having their loved ones deployed in one of the most violent regions of Iraq. He realize that, while active duty families benefit from a number of family support programs, Guard and Reserve families do not have access to the same services, despite the fact that the Guard and Reserves are shouldering a significant burden of our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a veteran, Senator Harkin believes that our government has a sacred contract with those who have fought for our country and sacrificed so much and to their families.
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