WORTHINGTON -- A group of local veterans gathered Saturday at the American Legion to hear about pressing veterans issues from U.S. Rep. Tim Walz.
During his first year in Congress, Walz, who served 24 years in the Army National Guard and retired as a Command Sergeant Major from the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion in 2005, worked hard to better fund veterans programs. Walz serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
"Last year was the single largest increase in the VA budget in its 77 year history," Walz said at the start of Saturday's meeting. "We did not accomplish everything. There were some glaring shortcomings."
Walz voted in favor of an increased mileage reimbursement rate for veterans who travel to get to VA clinics. The bill was signed into law in December, and the rate increased to 28.5 cents per mile. Congressman Walz also supported the Defense Authorization Act, which provides a more seamless transition between active duty and veterans' status. This became law in January.
In 2007, Walz introduced the Walz Traumatic Brain Injuries Centers Act of 2007, which authorizes five traumatic brain injury research facilities to be constructed throughout the country. This bill passed the House in May 2007 and has not yet passed the Senate.
ADVERTISEMENT
After talking about what was accomplished during the 2007 session, Walz shared his priorities for 2008.
"Last year was the first year since they've published The Independent Budget that we met their requirements," he said. "We hope to do that again."
The Independent Budget has been published for 22 years by AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and The Veterans of Foreign Wars. It makes recommendations based on research on how the Department of Veterans Affairs should be funded to meet the many needs of past veterans and current veterans returning from fighting the "war on terror."
Modernizing the GI Bill is another top priority for the VA committee this year.
"I'm a huge advocate of modernizing the GI Bill," Walz said. "It is the right thing to do for (veterans') education and a great thing for the economy."
Walz is one of 111 co-sponsors of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act that is designed to expand educational benefits offered to men and women who have served in the Armed Forces since Sept. 11, 2001.
Making more Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) available to veterans is another issue Walz discussed Saturday.
"That is a program that could blatantly benefit the older veterans," said Nobles County Veterans Service Officer Bill Brockberg, after hearing Walz speak. "Instead of traveling to Sioux Falls (S.D.), veterans could go to clinics here in Worthington and get the same level of care at the same price. They are funding some of those programs on a very limited basis."
ADVERTISEMENT
Currently in Nobles County, veterans can go to podiatry and optometry appointments in Worthington.
Miles Birkett, commander of the Nobles County Council of the American Legion, was glad Walz made a visit to Worthington Saturday.
"He addressed a lot of issues concerning veterans' benefits ... both good and bad," Birkett said. "I was pleased that there was more good than bad."
