Statement on Walter Reed Army
Medical Center
It is high
time the Pentagon admits
its mistake and takes
action to improve outpatient care at Walter Reed. The
removal of the three top officials overseeing Walter Reed at
the Pentagon is only the first step in accepting
responsibility for the treatment of our wounded soldiers.
The
events reported at Walter Reed were a break in faith with
our troops. We must be able to rely on the chain of command
in order to address the serious problems not only at Walter
Reed, but at the military facilities across the country.
My
concerns are focused on how we serve our troops when they
turn from the Pentagon to the VA for their healthcare. In
order for our troops to experience the seamless transition
they deserve, the bureaucratic problems that prevent many
from getting the care they need must be fixed.
I am
committed to preventing situations similar to Walter Reed
from striking the VA system. Clearly, we need an oversight
and inspection system that is separate from the agency that
is being overseen.
House Veterans Affairs Committee
Holds Hearing
on Equity for Filipino Veterans
On
February 15, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs held a
hearing on the issue of equity for WWII Filipino Veterans
and on my bill, H.R. 760, The Filipino Veterans Equity
Act of 2007.
Filipino
service members played a critical role in the U.S. victory
in the Pacific during World War II, serving under the direct
command of General Douglas Mac Arthur. In 1946, Congress
mandated that Filipino soldiers would not be considered
active military for the purposes of veterans benefits.
For more
than sixty years, a wrong has existed that must be righted.
The Rescission Acts of 1946 took away rightfully earned
benefits and the honor and respect due these veterans who
served our country.
A number of witnesses delivered testimony before the
Committee, including Representatives Michael Honda (D-CA),
Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). Also
testifying, VA Under Secretary for Benefits Ronald R. Aument,
Victor Soretta of the Embassy of the Philippines, and
representatives from Filipino veterans associations and
veterans service organizations.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Ramsey testified, When we
inducted the Filipinos into the guerrilla forces, we
required that they swear an oath of allegiance to the United
States of America and the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
It is impossible to see how these troops could be
federalized and not be part of the United States Army.
It is time
our nation adequately recognizes Filipino veterans for their
contributions to the successful outcome of World War II and
acts to correct this injustice. I am hoping that the 110th
Congress will finally correct the injustice inflicted on
Filipino veterans over 60 years ago.
Feel free to stay updated
on the Committee activities by
visiting
www.veterans.house.gov.
Disaster Relief Bill for California Agriculture, Asking
President Bush For Presidential Disaster Declaration
In response to last months freeze, which caused an estimated
$77 million dollars in damages for
Imperial County farmers, I have
joined with my colleagues on the
California Congressional Caucus in
sponsoring H.R. 925, the Emergency
Farm Assistance Act, which will
provide emergency agricultural
disaster assistance for agricultural
producers, manufacturers, and
workers in the State of California.
This bill accompanies a letter that
I have sent to President Bush,
requesting a major disaster
declaration, which would open up
funds for additional assistance to
Imperial Valley growers, producers,
and farm-workers.
The effects of last months freeze are far reaching. This
impacts our economy at every level--from diminished crop
levels to unemployment. We have had nearly one hundred
claims for unemployment in Imperial County directly
resulting from the freeze.
H.R. 925
will provide as much as $1.7 billion in emergency assistance
to agricultural producers, manufacturers and workers in 22
counties in California, including Imperial County. The bill
also provides relief for losses incurred as a result of this
past summers heat wave. Imperial County was declared a
disaster county last summer as well. The bill will provide
assistance to specialty crops, nursery crops and trees, and
livestock and dairy payments up to a limit of $125,000, as
well as small business loans and human assistance including
food coupons, grants to assist low-income and seasonal farm
workers, and temporary mortgage and rental assistance.
Imperial
Valley farmers and workers have suffered great losses. It is
imperative that we do everything we can to guarantee the
vitality of Imperial Countys economy.
View my
Letter to President Bush
Working to Clean Up Meth Problem in
California
I am proud
to join in the effort to help communities across California
clean up methamphetamine labs and the toxic mess they leave
behind.
Last month,
the House of Representatives passed H.R. 365, a bill that
charges the Environmental Protection Agency with the
development of health-based guidelines to assist state and
local authorities in cleaning up former meth lab sites.
Meth labs
are often found in residential settings, houses, apartments
or hotel rooms. Because the chemicals used in making meth
are highly volatile, the toxic residue left behind could
threaten the health of whoever should occupy that space
next.
While some
states have already passed laws that require the clean up of
former meth labs including ours, there is no good
health-based data to guide that process.
In addition
to establishing those guidelines, the bill would also:
The Drug
Enforcement Administration reports that more than 470 meth
labs were seized in California in 2005.
According
to a 2006 National Drug Threat Survey of state and local law
enforcement agencies across the nation, meth was named most
often as the greatest drug threat in communities.
Citizen of the Month
I am
honored to present Clara Carter, the owner and founder of
the Multi-Cultural Convention Services Network, as my
February Citizen of the Month for her commitment to
increase San Diegos share of the multi-cultural convention
and tourism markets, while ensuring the inclusion of people
of color in every aspect of the hospitality industry.
Carters
company is unlike most businesses in that it combines San
Diegos reputation as a premiere tourist destination with
the unique philosophy that the San Diego region should be
one of the most inclusive and diversified venues in the
nation. She was successful in creating entrepreneurial
opportunities for people of color and bringing jobs to
locals during
the most recent NFL Super Bowl held in San Diego, numerous
national tennis tournaments and business
expositionsensuring jobs that pay decent wages for
residents in the community.
Claras
leadership is remarkable. She is a strong force in promoting
diversity. I am proud to recognize her contributions to our
community.
Presenting Clara Carter with my
February Citizen of the Month Award
Constituent Mail Bag
From Chula
Vista
Dear
Representative Filner:
The carnage in Iraq must stop.
Our presence there has helped inflame the situation and has
contributed to civil war.
Most Iraqis - including both Sunnis and Shi'a -- say that
attacks on U.S. troops are justified. Voters told Congress
in the last election that we want our brave men and women in
Iraq to come home. The Congressional Progressive Caucus and
the Out of Iraq Caucus chairwomen have offered a viable plan
to bring our troops home while attempting to calm and
rebuild Iraq -- H.R. 508, The Bring the Troops Home and Iraq
Sovereignty Restoration Act, which has sixteen co-sponsors.
Please add your name as a co-sponsor to this legislation. We
cannot "win" this war. It is time to face facts and withdraw
from this debacle before any more Americans die or get
maimed. It is time to stop throwing good money after bad,
and for Congress to address pressing domestic issues.
I am counting on you, our dear Rep. Filner, to make this war
go away! Please co-sponsor HR 508.
Congressman
Filner replies:
Thank you
for contacting me to express your opposition to President
Bushs plan to send more troops to Iraq.
I wholeheartedly agree--this Administrations
stance on Iraq is misguided and wrong! As you know, I have
opposed this war from the beginning, and I believe we should
withdraw our troops and transfer peacekeeping to an
international force now! I will be working to deny
funds for this escalation.
By working together, we can make a
difference!
Contact My Office