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U.S. Constitution

Yellow Ribbon: Legislation for Veterans

As the father of an Army Blackhawk pilot, the husband of a retired Army nurse, and a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps, John Kline considers it a personal priority to ensure government keeps its promises to our veterans. Since arriving in Washington in 2003, he has considered it one of his greatest duties in Congress to support our veterans of today and tomorrow.

In January, 2008, John championed “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” legislation that makes Minnesota’s “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” reintegration program available to Guard and Reserve units nationwide. For his efforts on behalf of all veterans, the National Guard bureau honored John with one of its highest civilian awards, a “Heritage Painting.”

As a member of the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, and the only active-duty career Marine Corps veteran serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, John Kline has been recognized by his colleagues as a leader and valuable resource on defense issues. During his first term in Congress, he led a bipartisan group of his colleagues in successfully defeating a proposal to radically change the length of service and independence of senior officers in the U.S. military leadership. Congressman Kline also authored legislation to protect members of the National Guard and Reserves who are students from student loan and administrative liabilities incurred when they are called to active duty service.

Although this marks his first elected office, John Kline spent several years in Washington during his 25-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps. He distinguished himself as a helicopter pilot and earned the responsibility of flying Marine One, the President’s personal helicopter. John was also hand-picked to serve as a personal military aide to President Jimmy Carter, and subsequently to President Ronald Reagan. John’s responsibilities during this period included advising the President and our country’s senior civilian and military leadership. He was also responsible for carrying the nuclear “football” – the briefcase containing the nuclear war plans and strike options in case of a national emergency. 

During his successful career in the Marines, John served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, commanded all Marine aviation forces in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and served as the Program Development Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps, where he was responsible for the Program Objective Memorandum – the document used by the U.S. Armed Services to submit budgetary and planning proposals. Among his many medals and awards are four Legion of Merit Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, a Naval Commendation Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, and the Defense Superior Service Award.  He retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of Colonel.

To read more about Congressman John Kline's efforts and views on behalf of our veterans, our troops, and ensuring our national security, please click on one of the links below:

Congressman Kline's Solutions
Congressional Delegation Trips (Codels)
In His Own Words
Assistance for Veterans

CONGRESSMAN KLINE'S SOLUTIONS 

Championing and Steering Into Law Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Legislation
In January, 2008, Congressman Kline championed “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” legislation that establishes a national combat veteran reintegration program providing National Guard members and their families with information, services, and opportunities throughout the deployment cycle. Shortly after the bill was signed into law, Congressman Kline was deeply humbled when the National Guard Bureau honored him with one of their highest civilian awards, a “Heritage painting,” for championing the Yellow Ribbon legislation.
 
Co-sponsoring an Unprecedented GI Bill
Congressman Kline co-sponsored and helped steer to passage an unprecedented GI Bill that improves education benefits for veterans of today and tomorrow and their families. The bipartisan legislation, which was signed into law June 30, 2008, is a combination of two bills – sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) – Congressman Kline co-sponsored that provided unprecedented veterans benefits, including transferability of education benefits to family members.
 
Introducing Veterans Upward Bound legislation
In the 110th Congress, Congressman Kline introduced the “Veterans Upward Bound Improvement Act,” legislation under the TRiO program that helps Reservists and National Guardsmen who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, participate in federal programs to refresh their academic skills. Previously, numerous veterans who were called to serve (including combat service) for less than 180 days were not eligible for the Veterans Upward Bound Program. The Minnesota TRiO Association honored Congressman Kline for his work on this issue and his “unwavering support of low-income, first generation, and disabled students.”
 
Ending Unfair Policy of Concurrent Receipt Prohibition
As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Congressman Kline helped negotiate the agreement that partially ended the unfair of policy of prohibiting concurrent receipt, which penalizes veterans for injures they received in service to their country. (Previously, for every dollar a disabled veteran received in disability benefits, a dollar was removed from their pension).
 
Championing the HEROES Act
Congressman Kline’s first bill to become law was the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act, which was designed to ensure U.S. military reservists called to active duty are not forced to make payments on federal student loans while serving overseas. In 2007, Congressman Kline’s initiative was made permanent.
 
Standing Up and Stopping TRICARE Fee Increases
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Kline continually opposed and successfully stopped TRICARE fee increases.
 
Correcting Administrative Pay Error for Red Bulls
When a clerical error deprived a large number of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division – Minnesota’s famed “Red Bulls” – of their Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits, Congressman Kline introduced legislation to correct the error, providing more than 1,100 Minnesota National Guard soldiers full GI Bill benefits by deeming them to have met the enrollment requirements.
 
Supporting Largest Funding Increase for Veterans in VA’s 77-year History
The FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act included the largest funding increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Affairs Department. The bill provides more than $37 billion for veterans programs – a $3.18 billion increase over last year. This includes increasing total spending at the Department of Veterans Administration from $4.09 billion to $5.75 billion (including contingent emergencies) – an increase of $1.67 billion (41 percent) more than FY 2007.
 
Supporting Wounded Warrior Program
Congressman Kline has been an advocate for the Wounded Warrior Program, which provides the people, training, and oversight needed to ensure our wounded warriors will always receive quality care. This initiative also reforms administrative processes that will restore member confidence and begins the process of achieving a truly seamless transition of service members to Department of Veterans Affairs programs.
 
Co-Sponsoring and Helping Steer Into Law the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide and Prevention Act
Congressman Kline co-sponsored the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide and Prevent Act, which directs the Veterans Administration to develop and implement a comprehensive program to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.
 
Supporting the Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act

Congressman Kline supported legislation that requires the VA to screen veterans for traumatic brain injury. It also requires the VA to establish a comprehensive program for long-term care of post-acute traumatic brain injury rehabilitation at the VA’s four polytrauma network sites, including the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TRIPS (CODELS)

Demonstrating his continued dedication to the well-being of the men and women of our armed services, John Kline has traveled on numerous Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trips, which have enabled him to observe and evaluate our nation’s foreign policy in action.

  • John traveled to Iraq in 2003 and Kosovo in 2004 to visit U.S. troops and meet with military and civilian leadership stationed there.
  • Just days before the Iraqi elections in January 2005, John led a congressional delegation to Afghanistan and Iraq. During this trip he was able to assess the progress of U.S. operations in support of the emerging democracies in those nations, evaluate the tremendous success of elections in Afghanistan, and survey conditions on the eve of elections in Iraq. Based on his personal observations on the ground, John correctly predicted the success of the Iraqi elections that occurred just days after his visit. 
  • In 2006, John led a congressional delegation to Iraq – his fourth Codel – to assess the progress of the unity government and the work being done by the Iraqi Security Forces, as well as visit members of the Minnesota National Guard. 
  • In 2007, in the wake of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s assessments of Iraq, John traveled with a congressional delegation to Iraq and Afghanistan to see for himself the latest developments and current ground conditions. 
  • In February, 2008, John traveled with a congressional delegation to Afghanistan where he met with high ranking military officials to discuss progress being made by Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in rebuilding Afghanistan. “To improve the infrastructure and security there, we must empower local government officials and increase civilian participation,” Kline said after the trip. “Enhancing the security of Afghanistan also requires an increase in support from our NATO allies.”

IN HIS OWN WORDS

A look at Congressman Kline’s op-eds focusing on our veterans of today and tomorrow:

  • Feb. 6, 2009: Minnesota National Guard Once Again Accepts the Call of History
  • June 23, 2008: GI Bill Represents a Victory For Our Troops, Our Veterans, and All Americans
  • May 20, 2008: Memorial Day a Time To Commemorate our Fallen Soldiers
  • Dec. 14, 2007: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Passes in Time For the Holidays
  • Nov. 2, 2007: Honor Our Veterans in Time For Veterans Day; Pass the Veterans Funding Bill
  • Sept. 24, 2007: We Remain Committed to Assisting Minnesota National Guard
  • April 23, 2007: Minnesota Guard Reintegration Program Should Be Made Available Nationwide
  • Dec. 1, 2006: Military Draft Undermines Our Troops
  • Sept. 26, 2005: Afghans Show Desire to Courageously Rebuild Their Country and Government.
  • March 1, 2005: United States Armed Forces Should Have Every Opportunity to Recruit the Best and Brightest Students
  • Nov. 19, 2004: Those Who Serve Today Are Proud To Be Members of a Professional, All-Volunteer Force
  • June 25, 2004: Iraqis in Pursuit of a Strong, Independent, Democratic Nation
  • April 22, 2004: Help Our Troops Call Home
  • May 13, 2004: Actions of a Few Must Not Destroy Our Respect for the Many in Our American Military
  • Oct. 27, 2003: We Cannot Afford Failure in Iraq
  • Oct. 21, 2003: Good News For Veterans
  • May 20, 2003: Why I Opposed the Secretary of Defense
  • April 10, 2003: It is Time to Rise Above Partisan Politics, and Unite in Support of our Nation’s Priorities
  • April 1, 2003: Now is the Time to Support Our Troops

ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS

Veterans Affairs Offices

Minneapolis VA Medical Center
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Phone: (612) 725-2000
Toll free: (866) 414-5058
Fax: (612) 725-2049
 
St. Paul Regional Office
1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling
Saint Paul, MN 55111-4050
Phone: (800) 827-1000
Fax: (612) 970-5415
 
Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23: VA Midwest Health Care Network
Minneapolis Office
5445 Minnehaha Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55417-2300
Phone: (612) 725-1968
Fax: (612) 467-5967
Website: http://www.visn23.va.gov/
 
Carver County Veterans Service Office
555 West First Street
Waconia, MN 55387
County Veterans Service Officer: Dave Priem
Phone: (952) 442-2323
 
Dakota County Veterans Service Office
PO Box 18145
West St. Paul, MN 55118-0145
County Veterans Service Officer: Michael Labovitch
Phone: (651) 554-5601
 
Goodhue County Veterans Service Office
Government Center, Room 1
509 West Fifth Street
Red Wing, MN 55066-2540
County Veterans Service Officer: Robert Davis
Phone: (651) 385-3256
 
Le Sueur County Veterans Service Office
88 South Park Avenue
LeCenter, MN 56057
County Veterans Service Officer: Jim Golgart
Phone: (507) 357-2251, ext. 279/513
 
Rice County Veterans Service Office
320 NW 3rd Street
Faribault, MN 55021
County Veterans Service Officer: Tracy McBroom
Phone: (507) 332-6117
 
Scott County Veterans Service Office
Government Center, Room 212
200 Fourth Avenue West
Shakopee, MN 55379-1220
County Veterans Service Officer: Todd Kubinski
Phone: (952) 496-8176
 
Washington County Veterans Service Office
PO Box 6
14949 62nd Street
Stillwater, MN
County Veterans Service Officer: Jon Larson
Phone: (651) 430-6895
 
Veterans Affairs Online
 
For information regarding any of the topics below, please click the appropriate link.
 
Additional Resources
Department of Defense
 
Higher Education Veterans Programs
 
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
MACV Headquarters: (651) 291-8756
MACV Twin Cities: (612) 726-1327
Website: www.mac-v.org
 
Military OneSource
Phone: (800) 342-9647
 
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Phone: (800) 273-TALK (Press 1 for veterans)
 
Congressman Kline’s Minnesota Office:
101 West Burnsville Parkway, Suite 201
Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone: (952) 808-1213
Fax: (952) 808-1261