Representative Henry A. Waxman 30th District of California

Mr. Smith contacted our office regarding a problem he was having obtaining the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal that was promised to him when he was released from active duty during the Vietnam War. Although he had received a temporary citation, the permanent award was never sent to him. He had contacted the Navy several times but never received a reply.

My district office staff sent an inquiry to the Navy on his behalf. I am happy to report that as a result of our inquiry, the award was reissued and Mr. Smith received his medal.

Mrs. Barton contacted my office requesting my assistance to have a memorial headstone placed at Arlington National Cemetery in memory of her father, who was killed in action in 1943 when his submarine was sunk during WWII. After meeting certain eligibility requirements, including not having any other burial site, the memorial headstone was approved.

I am happy to report that 50 years after his death, a memorial marker has been erected at Arlington National Cemetery, and the Barton family will now have a lasting memorial of their father’s service to our country.

My office contacted the NPRC on behalf of Mr. Kaston to request the records. I am happy to report that they were sent directly to him a few weeks later.

Ms. Vadman contacted my district office regarding the difficulties she was experiencing with her pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Ms. Vadman's pension was erroneously discontinued without any notification to her. Ms. Vadman contacted the VA, but her attempts to reinstate her pension were unsuccessful. This problem distressed Ms. Vadman because the pension was her greatest source of income, and she would not be able to pay her rent without it. My staff contacted the VA, and they were able to inquire as to why Ms. Vadman's pension was terminated. The VA explained that they never received the necessary information from Ms. Vadman regarding her yearly income, so the VA abruptly ceased her benefits. However, the VA sent Ms. Vadman the wrong documents to verify her income, which she did complete and return to the VA in a timely manner.

The VA promptly reinstated her pension benefits, and sent Ms. Vadman the proper forms to verify her income.

Mr. Layton contacted my office because he did not receive his monthly prescription refill by mail from the Veterans Adminstration. When Mr. Layton contacted the Veterans Administration, he was told that their records indicated that the medication had been mailed, and there was therefore nothing that they could do for him. Mr. Layton then called my office and explained that the prescription was for his heart and high blood pressure and that he only had 8 days left of the medication.

My district office contacted the liaison at the Veterans Administration Pharmacy, and I am happy to report that we were able to get Mr. Layton his refill that day free of charge.

Mr. Smith contacted my office regarding the difficulties he experienced with the medical care he received at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Medical Center. Mr. Smith waited over four months to receive approval for a triple bypass and aortic valve replacement surgery, but the VA would not grant the surgery. Mr. Smith’s cardiologist and primary care physician were transferred to another VA hospital, and Mr. Smith was left without a physician or medical personnel to monitor his case. My office was able to schedule pre-operation appointments, but the VA continued to postpone his surgery date. According to his file at the VA, his case was mild and there was no need for immediate surgery. However, Mr. Smith and his family felt that his condition was worsening, so my office continued to contact the VA on Mr. Smith’s behalf.

The VA agreed to schedule a cardiologist appointment, and the cardiologist determined that Mr. Smith’s condition warranted immediate surgery. Mr. Smith’s surgery was performed the next morning. I am happy to report that Mr. Smith’s surgery was successful and he is at home recovering.

Mr. Walker contacted my office in June after spending a frustrating morning at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mr. Walker was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January, and he immediately applied for aid and attendance benefits at the VA. The aid and attendance benefit is a special monthly benefit given to veterans to cover some of the costs associated with long-term illnesses. The VA informed Mr. Walker that it would take at least three more months before his claim completed adjudication. Mr. Walker found this response unacceptable as he needed immediate assistance to pay for his home nursing care. Additionally, Mr. Walker did not have family members who were able to take care of him, so it was crucial that his claim complete processing as quickly as possible.

My office contacted the VA, and within three weeks, Mr. Walker began receiving benefits to assist with his care.

Mr. McDonald called my district office because he was experiencing difficulties obtaining his service records after weeks of trying to obtain them. Mr. McDonald suffers from Alzheimer's and was requesting admission into a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. However, the hospital could not admit him unless they had proof of service. Mr. McDonald believed that he had thrown away his service records, and therefore could not prove his military service. Mr. McDonald contacted the National Personnel Records Center, but he did not hear anything in five weeks. Mr. McDonald contacted my district office to see if we could provide any assistance.

My district office contacted the National Personnel Records Center, and within one week, we were able to obtain a certificate stating that Mr. McDonald had served in the military. We then faxed the certificate to the VA hospital, and they were able to admit Mr. McDonald.

Mr. Gross’s wife received a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) informing her of her eligibility to receive survivor benefits due to her husband’s passing. Mr. Gross had not passed away, and this letter was obviously sent in error. Mr. Gross contacted the VA requesting the records be corrected. He did not receive a response after waiting for several months, so he contacted my office for assistance.

My office contacted the VA benefits office on his behalf and informed them of the problem. The VA was able to correct their error within a few weeks, and I am happy to report that Mr. Gross’s insurance premium has been reinstated and his record has been updated.

My district office contacted the Navy regarding Mr. Hinkley's case, and learned that they had no record of Mr. Hinkley's Colonel's recommendation. The Navy advised us that in order for Mr. Hinkley to be eligible for the award, his Colonel would have to resubmit his recommendation. I am happy to report that upon evaluating the Colonel's recommendation, the Navy awarded Mr. Hinkley the Navy Commendation Medal.

My district office contacted the Los Angeles VA Regional Office regarding this matter, and requested that the remainder of Mr. Johannes' case be completed expeditiously in light of his rapidly approaching discharge date. Our liaison at the VA Regional Office advised my district office that they would expedite Mr. Johannes' case, but they had been unable to obtain his medical records from the VA hospital. Since these records were essential in evaluating his claim, my district office caseworker contacted the VA hospital and requested that Mr. Johannes' records be sent to the Regional Office as soon as possible. I am pleased to report that Mr. Johannes' claim for service-connected benefits was processed and granted before his discharge from the Domiciliary.

My office recently received a call from Traveler’s Aide Society to request assistance for a refugee, Wong Racom, who was living at the Los Angeles International Airport. Mr. Racom was trying to return to his wife and children in Southeast Asia, but he was unable to do so because he lacked the proper documentation to travel outside the U.S. Mr. Racom was told that it could take six to nine months for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to complete the adjudication of his travel documents.

The Traveler’s Aide Society contacted my office to expedite Mr. Racom’s paperwork, and I am proud to report that my office was able to provide Mr. Racom with the required documents within three weeks. Mr. Racom’s story caught the attention of local media, and the Los Angeles Times recently ran a story about his ordeal. I have attached a link to the article, and I hope you will take a moment to read about Mr. Racom and his family.

Los Angeles Times Article

Mrs. Nayeri fled from Iran due to religion persecution and was granted refugee status by the U.S. Mrs. Nayeri had to leave her husband and child in Iran to ensure her safety and maintain a lawful immigration status in the U.S. Once Mrs. Nayeri arrived safely in the U.S., she was able to file a Refugee Relative Petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) on her family’s behalf. This petition allows immediate relatives of refugees to immigrate to the U.S. Mrs. Nayeri contacted my office to request expedited processing of the application, as her husband and 10 year-old son were receiving death threats in Iran.

My staff contacted the appropriate CIS office to explain the dire circumstances surrounding the application, and the CIS agreed to expedite the application. I am happy to report that Ms. Nayeri’s husband and child arrived in Los Angeles last week, and they are very glad to be reunited as a family.

Mr. Detrick's daughter, Ms. Couser, contacted my office regarding her father's citizenship application with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Mr. Detrick suffers from Alzheimer's, and it was difficult for him to remember the U.S. history and civic components of the citizenship test. Mr. Detrick appeared for his interview, and he could not pass the test. Mr. Detrick was scheduled for another interview, but he and his family were worried he would not pass it on the second try. Mr. Detrick's family was unaware that Congress passed a law allowing for those with certain medical conditions to receive an exception by submitting a certification form from a medical doctor to the INS.

My office sent Mr. Detrick the INS form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions), and we contacted the INS to inform the agency of his condition. Additionally, we ensured that Mr. Detrick's medical certification was given to the appropriate INS officer for the next interview. I am pleased to inform you that Mr. Detrick passed his interview, and he took the oath of citizenship in June 2002.

My office contacted the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) on her behalf and requested expedited processing of her application. CIS was able to process the application on an expedited basis, and I am happy to report that Ms. Jacobs took the oath of citizenship at the end of March.

My district office recently received a phone call from Mr. Brega, whose tile company is located in my congressional district. The company’s headquarters are in Los Angeles, but Mr. Brega also has a subsidiary office located in Mexico City, Mexico. At Mr. Brega’s year-end financial meeting, the Executive Vice President, Miguel Hernandez, from their Mexico City office was scheduled to give a vital presentation. Mr. Hernandez received his non-immigrant visa; however, a week before his flight was scheduled to arrive in the U.S., he was mugged, and his visa paperwork was stolen. Mr. Hernandez contacted the Embassy in Mexico City for replacement papers, but the Embassy said they could not reissue papers by Mr. Hernandez’s travel date. Mr. Brega contacted my office in the hopes that we would be able to request expedited processing on behalf of his employee.

My office contacted the Embassy, and the Embassy was able to issue the papers within two days. Mr. Brega reported that Mr. Hernandez was able to give his presentation, and the meeting was a success.

Ms. Vizio became a United States Citizen in 2001, but she did not try to obtain a passport until her father became seriously ill in her native country. Ms. Vizio wanted to see her father before he passed away, so she applied for a passport to travel abroad. However, Ms. Vizio’s application was denied because her name was misspelled on her naturalization certificate. The error on the certificate was made by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), but Ms. Vizio did not believe that it would ever cause her any problems. Ms. Vizio tried to contact the INS for assistance, but she was told it would need to submit a form and wait a year and a half for the corrected naturalization certificate. Ms. Vizio could not wait another year to see her father, so she contacted my district office for assistance.

My office scheduled an appointment with the INS to reissue the corrected certificate within five days. Ms. Vizio then had all of the necessary documents to secure the passport and to visit her ill father.

I am happy to report that his passport was processed expeditiously, and he was able to travel to India the following week.

My office contacted BCIS on her behalf, and I am happy to report that we were able to schedule an appointment for her. Ms. Stewart’s application is now being processed and is back on track.

My office contacted our liaisons at the CIS and we were able to expedite her citizenship application. I am happy to report that Ms. Gerzon took the oath of naturalization this month and she continues to receive her SSA benefits.

Ms. Perdue contacted my district office regarding the difficulties she was experiencing with her citizenship application, as she had moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles. Before she moved, Ms. Perdue had written to the New Jersey Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) office, requesting that they transfer her file to the Los Angeles office. Three years after she moved, Ms. Perdue had not received any correspondence from the Los Angeles INS office regarding her case.

We contacted the INS and learned that Ms. Perdue´s file was still in the New Jersey INS office. I am happy to report that, upon receiving my inquiry, Ms. Perdue´s file was transferred to the Los Angeles office, and she was sworn in as a United States citizen in May 2001.

Ms. Smith is a refugee from Russia who was unable to bring her eight year-old son, Victor, with her when she immigrated to the U.S. Her mother was taking care of Victor in Russia until a visa became available for Victor to immigrate to the U.S. Sadly, Ms. Smith’s mother suffered a stroke, and was no longer able to properly care for Victor. Ms. Smith called my office for assistance, and my staff contacted the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) to request expedited processing of Victor’s visa application. The CIS agreed to expedite the application, and sent the approved petition to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM is an international, non-profit agency which prepares refugees for travel to their destinations around the world. Once an approved petition is sent to the IOM, it can take months until a refugee receives their visa, and is ready for travel.

My office contacted the IOM on Ms. Smith’s behalf, and they were able to issue Victor’s visa within two months. Victor arrived in the U.S. last week, and his mother is very happy to have him home after two years of separation.

Ms. Billups contacted my district office because she, along with seventy of her fellow apartment building residents, did not receive their Social Security checks for the month of August. Without these checks, the residents were unable to pay rent. Their landlord contacted the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and was told to wait two days and to then call back. In addition, the landlord called their local post office and learned that the checks did not reach their postal station. Because the matter was pressing and the checks were already two days late, Ms. Billups decided to call my office for help.

My staff contacted the residents’ local SSA office immediately. We learned that the problem was widespread throughout the district and the SSA would issue replacement checks if the residents did not receive their checks within two days. My office also contacted the United States Postal Service (USPS ). We were informed by our liaison that the USPS knew of the missing checks and was currently working to resolve the issue. I am pleased to report that Ms. Billups and her fellow residents received their Social Security checks the next day.

Mr. Pace celebrated his 65th birthday on October 1, 2003 and he tried to enroll for Medicare benefits at his local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Mr. Pace suffers from many physical disabilities, so he completed a Medicare enrollment application three months before his birthday to ensure that his benefits started at the earliest possible date. Unfortunately, Mr. Pace had not received a response from the SSA in six months, so he made an appointment with their office. The SSA informed Mr. Pace that he had failed to provide his birth certificate within the last six months, so they closed his case. Additionally, since Mr. Pace did not complete his application within the period of time required by the law, he was no longer eligible for immediate benefits. Mr. Pace could enroll during the general enrollment period, but he would not receive benefits until July 2004. Mr. Pace was extremely concerned that he would not have health insurance for six months, so he contacted my district office for assistance.

My caseworkers contacted the SSA, and learned that the SSA failed to generate a letter to Mr. Pace requesting his birth certificate in order to complete his application. Due to this administrative error, the SSA corrected their mistake and enrolled Mr. Pace in Medicare with a start date of October 1, 2003.

Mr. Baker applied for survivor benefits with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2000 after his wife passed away. He was subsequently denied because he did not submit his original marriage license with his application for benefits. However, Mr. Baker did not provide the certificate to the SSA at that time because he is disabled and was very distraught over his wife’s passing. Mr. Baker submitted a request for reconsideration a few months later, but did not hear from the SSA for almost a year.

My district office contacted the SSA on his behalf. I am happy to report that Mr. Baker’s denial was overturned, and he was awarded survivor benefits last month.

Ms. Williams filed for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in November of 2001. A full year had elapsed without the Social Security Administration notifying her of any decision on the case. To further slow the decision, her pending claim had also been chosen for random review by the Quality Appraisal Office in Richmond, California. Ms. Williams has undergone three kidney transplants and suffers from hypertension. Increased prices for her medication had made it difficult for her to meet her daily living expenses. Despite numerous attempts to contact her local Social Security Administration (SSA), Ms. Williams was unable to resolve the issue of her pending claim for SSDI. She approached our district office for assistance.

My office contacted the local SSA and requested that Ms. Williams' case be expeditiously processed because she was unable to meet financial requirements for basic necessities. The liaison at the local Social Security Administration worked with both our office and the Quality Appraisal Office to resolve this matter. I am pleased to report that Ms. Williams was found eligible for benefits one month after our district office's intervention. As a result of our direct contact with the SSA, Ms. Williams began receiving her monthly payments.

Mr. Eckland and his siblings contacted my office regarding survivor's benefits from the Social Security Administrator. John is 18 years old, and his parents died when he was 10 years old. As the oldest child, John was the administration of his parents' estate. He wanted to know whether he and his siblings would be eligible to receive survivor's benefits from Social Security, even though eight years had passed since his parents' death.

My district office advised John how to begin the process of filing for survivor's benefits for himself and his siblings. Throughout the application process, my district office caseworkers were in constant contact with Social Security to ensure that their applications were processed in a timely manner. Their initial applications were denied by the local Social Security office, but John and his family subsequently filed requests for reconsideration. While the requests for reconsideration were also denied, their request for a hearing with one of Social Security's Administrative Law Judges was accepted. I am happy to report that the judge in this case issued a favorable decision, and granted John and his siblings retroactive survivor's benefits.

My district office made an inquiry with Social Security and learned that, in August, Ms. Anderson's case had been sent to another office for quality review. However, approximately one month later, no additional action had been taken on her case. I am happy to report that within ten days of receiving my inquiry, Ms. Anderson's case was reviewed. In addition, Ms. Anderson later advised me that her application for disability benefits had been approved.

Mr. Smith called my district office to inquire about Social Security benefits for his friend, William Okamura. Mr. Okamura is a homeless senior whose Social Security benefits were inappropriately denied when he could not demonstrate proof of his immigration status in 1996. Mr. Okamura lost all of his identification, and he could not verify that he was a Lawful Permanent Resident. Through conversations with Mr. Okamura, my office learned that the only piece of identification he retained was the reparations payment stub he received for benefits he was paid because of internment during World War II. Also, Mr. Okamura informed my office that he served in the military in the late 1940s.

My staff was able to obtain Mr. Okamura's military records by contacting the National Personnel Records Center, thereby providing Mr. Okamura with another form of identification. Additionally, my staff worked with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to obtain legal proof that Mr. Okamura is a Lawful Permanent Resident. Finally, my district office contacted the Social Security Administration to set up an appointment for Mr. Okamura to apply for Social Security benefits. I am happy to report that Mr. Okamura was eligible for benefits, and he was able to provide the Social Security Administration with the proper verification of his immigration status.

Mr. Jones contacted a caseworker in my office for assistance, and we contacted the local Social Security office to determine if Paul was eligible to for reimbursement of the misapplied benefits. The local office did not provide a satisfactory response, so my caseworker contacted the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General for further assistance. The Inspector General informed my office that Paul's step-father returned the money he used inappropriately to the Social Security Administration, and furthermore Paul was entitled to receive this money. After years of trying to receive accurate benefits, my office was able to contact the correct office within the Social Security Administration to ensure that Paul received the entirety of his benefits within two months.

Ms. Wright filed a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in January of 2002. Eight months had elapsed and a decision had not yet been reached. Her pending claim had also been chosen for random review by the Quality Appraisal Office in Richmond, California. Ms. Wright had tried unsuccessfully to contact her local Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine when a decision would be made on her pending claim. Unfortunately, Ms. Wright was unable to obtain any concrete information on the status of her claim. She was afraid of the economic impact she would have to endure as a result of the continued delay and therefore called my district office for assistance.

My office contacted the local SSA and requested that Ms. Wright's case be expeditiously processed because of financial difficulties. The liaison at the local SSA worked with both our office and the Quality Appraisal Office to resolve this matter. I am pleased to report that Ms. Wright was found eligible for benefits. One month after my district office's intervention and through our contact with the SSA, Ms. Wright began receiving her monthly payments.

My district office received a call from a constituent, Ken, who needed information regarding the Social Security Administration’s Ticket-To-Work program. Ken has a degenerative disease that is robbing him of his sight, stiffens his joints, and makes it impossible for Ken to sit for long periods of time. However, Ken was able to find part-time work to accommodate his illness, but part-time employment did not offer health benefits or a living wage. Ken was able to work part-time without losing all of his disability benefits because he is eligible for Social Security's Ticket-To-Work program. Congress intended this program to provide cash and medical coverage to those with disabilities until they reach their goal of self-sufficiency. Ken’s case was unlike the usual Ticket-To-Work stories because his disease would continue to progress until he could no longer work, see, or walk. Ken wanted to continue working until it was impossible to do so. Ken’s place of employment recently offered to give him a considerable raise. Ken was concerned that if he took the raise, then his benefits would be terminated, which would leave him without medical coverage. The prospect of losing his Medi-Cal coverage was not an option for Ken, and he asked my office for assistance.

My office contacted the local Social Security office and learned that although Ken would lose his cash benefits, he would still be eligible for Medi-Cal coverage for three additional years. Our contact also mentioned that Ken should speak with their employment support staff to further discuss his options. Ken was happy to learn that he could take his raise without the fear of losing medical coverage.

Mr. Johnson contacted my district office regarding difficulties he was experiencing with his Social Security disability benefits. Mr. Johnson was initially denied disability benefits and then denied a second time on appeal. His next appeal went before an Administrative Law Judge in June 2000, at which time he was granted disability benefits retroactively to February 1998. This decision also entitled his daughter to a one-time award of approximately $19,000 because her disabled father is her sole caregiver and she was under the age of 18 at the time he applied.

Although Mr. Johnson's daughter received her check in November 2000, Mr. Johnson still had not received his retroactive payment when he contacted our office in June 2001. He made several calls to his local Social Security office as well as Social Security's general toll-free number, but was unable to find out why he had not yet received his award.

I am happy to report that after receiving my office's inquiry, Social Security quickly took the necessary steps to issue Mr. Johnson his retroactive payment totaling approximately $21,000.

My office contacted the United States Postal Service (USPS) on their behalf and notified them of the problems that the Johnsons were experiencing. After reviewing the problem, USPS assigned a regular mail carrier to their route and assured the Johnsons that the route would be monitored periodically to ensure that mail delivery stays consistent.

Housing Authority
Mr. Zimmerman contacted my office because he was removed from the Housing Authority, County of Los Angeles Section 8 voucher waiting list for failing to appear at a scheduled interview. Mr. Zimmerman is 86 years old, a veteran of World War II, has undergone open heart surgery, and recently lost his wife, with whom he shared his life for over 60 years. On the day of the scheduled interview, he was with his wife at her convalescent home and was recuperating from his own surgery.

I am pleased to report that my office was able to get Mr. Zimmerman reinstated on the waiting list with his original application date of September 26, 1989.

Internal Revenue Service
Ms. Turner was in the process of obtaining a Tax Identification Number through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS asked her to submit certain documentation, and she hand-delivered the information to the appropriate IRS staff person. Ms. Turner received two subsequent notices from the IRS which asked for the same information she had previously submitted. Ms. Turner contacted the IRS, but she was told again that she had to resubmit the information. After two months without any notification from the IRS, Ms. Turner contacted my office for assistance.

My staff contacted our liaison at the IRS, who immediately asked to meet with Ms. Turner. At the meeting, our liaison was able to rectify the problems with Ms. Turner’s application, and the application was sent to the appropriate IRS division. I am happy to report that Ms. Turner was issued a Tax Identification Number ten days later.

My office contacted the OPM on his behalf, and I am happy to report that he will be receiving the correct amount starting this month, as well as accrued annuity for the months that he was underpaid.

Noise Control
Mr. Walker's condominium faces the maintenance area and parking lot of a California Army and National Guard facility in my Congressional district. Mr. Walker was concerned about the noise level emanating from a large generator when it ran frequently, especially on the weekends. The noise disturbed the residents of the condominium, and they could not open their windows when the machine was running because it expelled large amounts of black soot. Mr. Walker called my office on behalf of his homeowners' association, and we contacted the National Guard.

I am pleased to report that as a result of our inquiry, the National Guard has moved the generator and associated radar antennas to the opposite side of the parking lot, away from the condominium building. In addition, the generators will not run before 8 a.m.

Medical Licensing
Dr. Martin contacted my district office regarding difficulties he was experiencing renewing his medical license, which was issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Dr. Martin mailed his license renewal application to the DEA´s Washington, D.C. office in December 2001. However, due to anthrax-related mail delays, the DEA was extremely backlogged in processing these applications. Dr. Martin was able to get two 30-day extensions from the DEA in order to continue working and treating patients. After the second extension expired, the agency still had not processing his renewal application and could not issue another extension. Dr. Martin was advised by the DEA that it could take as long as 4-6 weeks for his license renewal application to be processed, but without another extension, Dr. Martin would not be allowed to continue treating patients.

I am pleased to report that after learning of Dr. Martin's difficulties, my district office staff contacted the DEA and was able to assist in getting his license renewed in approximately four business days.

Student Loans
Ms. Reynolds contacted my office regarding the difficulties she was experiencing with her student loans. Ms. Reynolds was enrolled at the Computer Learning Center (CLC) at the time it closed and because its unexpected closure prevented her from completing her degree, she was eligible to have the student loans she used to finance her CLC education removed from her record. Her lender's records, however, inaccurately reported that she transferred her CLC credits to another school thereby making her ineligible to have her student loans removed from her record. For months, Ms. Reynolds provided her lender with documentation proving that she did not transfers credits to her new school, but the records were not changed.

I am pleased to report that after making an inquiry with both the Department of Education and the lender, my office was able to have Ms. Reynolds' records updated and her student loans removed from her record.

U.S. Consulate
Mrs. Patterson contacted my office regarding difficulties she was experiencing obtaining a death certificate for her husband. Mrs. Patterson's husband passed away in March 2001 while the two were in Australia. For the next eight months, Mrs. Patterson continually followed up with the Australian government asking them to issue her husband's death certificate but to no avail. Without the death certificate, Mrs. Patterson was unable to settle her husband's estate.

My district office staff contacted the U.S. Consulate in Sydney about the matter who, in turn, contacted the Australian Registrar General's Office. I am pleased to report that after receiving my office's inquiry, the U.S. Consulate was able to get the Australian Registrar General's Office to issue the death certificate within 48 hours.

Indian Affairs
Mr. Jones contacted my district office regarding difficulties he and his two siblings were experiencing obtaining compensation from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for property owned by their deceased mother, Loretta Jones. The BIA attempted to contact Mrs. Jones in 1983 to issue her compensation owed to her under the White Earth Reservation Land Settlement Act (WELSA), but unfortunately, Mrs. Jones had already passed away. The office then spent the next several years attempting to contact Mrs. Jones' children to give them the award and was finally successful in 1999. However, it was not until August 2000 that the BIA began taking steps to compensate Mr. Jones and his siblings. A BIA staff person then realized that Mrs. Jones previously used a different name. Mr. Jones and his siblings were told that further review of the case would now be necessary which would take approximately 30 days. However, many months went by without a decision being reached. When Mr. Jones called to inquire about the status of the review, he was informed that the file was lost and had to be reconstructed. After a few more months, Mr. Jones called again to check on this matter and was informed that a decision still had not been reached.

I am happy to report that after receiving my office's initial inquiry in May 2001, the BIA finally compensated Mr. Jones and his siblings this month. Surprisingly, Mr. Jones and his siblings each received almost three times the amount they were expecting because of the interest that accrued while this matter was pending at the BIA.