Senate moves to prevent veterans’ suicides

Compiled by Donald H. Harrison

Donald H. Harrison
Donald H. Harrison

The U.S. Senate unanimously adopted, by a vote of 99-0 the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which provides for peer support and community outreach programs to assist veterans to transition from military to civilian life.  It also calls for independent consultants to evaluate efforts by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to prevent suicides by returning veterans.

Clay Hunt committed suicide in 2011, two years after being honorably discharged from the Marines.  He had enlisted in 2005 and during his time in the Marines he served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Purple Heart along the way.

Nine Jewish members of the Senate had been listed as co-sponsors of the bill including Michael Bennet of Colorado, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Barbara Boxer of California, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Dianne Feinstein of California, Al Franken of Minnesota, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Charles Schumer of New York, and Ron Wyden of Oregon.  All are Democrats except Sanders who is an Independent.

Commented Blumenthal: “This breakthrough bipartisan step will help countless veterans overcome invisible wounds of war that lead to 22 tragic suicides every day. We owe these wounded warriors more effective mental health care, so they can win the war against inner demons that come home from service. This bill will help save lives – courageous, strong veterans who need and deserve enhanced psychiatric care, counseling, outreach support and accountability from the Veterans Administration. A friend of mine, Justin Eldridge of southeastern Connecticut, braved mortar fire and snipers in Afghanistan, returning to his young family with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. Tragically, he slipped through the cracks at his local VA facility and eventually took his own life. As brave as he was on the battlefield, he could not win his war at home. We have an obligation to keep faith with our veterans, and this legislation – providing an impartial review of VA mental health programs, more centralized information and outreach, more support for VA psychiatrists – constitutes an important step.”

Cardin said: “We have an obligation to support our military men and women on the battlefield and on the home front from both the physical and mental threats to their survival and future success. Our veterans deserve the best possible support and medical care as they overcome challenges during their transition into civilian life. For years, I have expressed my concerns about the inadequacies of programs and studies that were in place to reduce military and veteran suicides and improve access to quality mental health care. Enactment of this legislation will help save lives and restore hope for our brave veterans and their families.”

Franken pointed out that “”Unfortunately, our veterans’ battles don’t always end when they come home. Because so many return with mental and physical wounds incurred while protecting our freedoms, we have a special duty to ensure they and their families get the care and support they need to cope. There should be no higher calling for our nation than to do what’s necessary to end the epidemic of suicides among our veterans.”

Wyden said: “Today the Senate sent a strong message that more must be done to reach veterans at risk of suicide. Veterans endure physical and emotional trauma in service to our nation and we have a solemn obligation to provide the services and care they need and have earned. With today’s vote, we move closer to realizing that goal.”

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The Jewish Citizen
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U.S. Senate

JORDAN – U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California) condemned ISIL’s barbaric killing of Jordanian pilot, First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh during her meeting at the Capitol with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The senator offered her condolences to the Jordanian people. “This barbaric killing shows the world once again that ISIL’s brutality and cruelty knows no bounds,” she said. “The international community must stand together – united – in confronting this threat to civilized people everywhere. As Americans, we send our deepest condolences to the family of Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh, and our thoughts are with the people of Jordan.”

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UKRAINE –Democratic U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin of Maryland, Barbara Boxer of California,  Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and 12 colleagues from both sides of the aisle have urged President Obama to “rapidly increase military assistance to Ukraine to defend its sovereign borders against escalating Russian aggression.”  In a joint letter, the senators wrote: “Russia’s affront to established international norms is a direct threat to decades of established European security architecture and the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people.  It must not be allowed to succeed. We believe it is time to increase military assistance to Ukraine and urge the U.S. and NATO to move quickly. Despite the welcome imposition of U.S. and EU sanctions and mounting international isolation, Russian President Putin appears willing to gamble his country’s economy and world standing to further his blatant military invasion of another nation.  That he is willing to undertake such a selfish pursuit at the cost of the Russian people’s freedoms, aspirations, and talents is only the more tragic. Such a dangerous international bully will only stand down when faced with credible resistance.”

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U.S. House of Representatives

BLACK HISTORY MONTH– U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee), noting that February is Black History month, said:  “The courage, creativity, and resilience of African-Americans throughout our nation’s history cannot be overstated. This month, we pay special attention to the many political, scientific, artistic and cultural contributions made by African-Americans to our country. The significant contributions that African-Americans have made to our nation have occurred even as African-Americans were legally enslaved, then treated as second-class citizens and even today as African-Americans still deal with the economic injustice that is a vestige of Jim Crow and other discriminatory laws. Their contributions have continued even when they were denied credit for them. Even while suffering under these circumstances, African Americans have continuously helped our nation succeed.” While our nation has made great strides for civil rights in the fifty years since the marches from Selma to Montgomery, there is much work left to do to bind up the wounds of slavery and Jim Crow. As we look forward to the next fifty years, let us recommit to realizing Dr. King’s dream and work to ensure all Americans have equal opportunities and that their civil rights are protected, preserved, and strengthened.”

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AFFORDABLE CARE ACT — The House of Representatives voted 239-186 to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obama Care.”   U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) said it was the 56th time that the House of Representatives had voted on the repeal.  “If it’s a Tuesday in the House of Representatives, we must be voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act,” she commented. “For the 56th time, Congressional Republicans are going on record to take away health care from millions of children, women, seniors, young adults and others who previously had no or insufficient coverage. Such actions speak volumes about their priorities for America’s families, and fly in the face of the facts. The top ten ZIP codes for Obamacare enrollees in the nation are located in South Florida alone, and more and more people continue to enroll. People want health care. People deserve health care.  There is no doubt that there have been some bumps along the way, but we can make fixes and help people navigate the new system without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The Affordable Care Act is working. We can never, and will never, go back to the days where a sick person is denied coverage because of a supposed preexisting condition, or people are crushed with debt because they needed care, or seniors are choosing between their prescriptions and their bills. This cynical effort to repeal the law and replace it with no credible alternative will go nowhere, and once again, House Republicans are spinning their wheels while the rest of the nation gets on with its business.”

California Legislature

WOMEN’S SPORTS– U.S. Sen. Jeff Stone (R-Riverside County), voting for a resolution designating February 1 to 7, 2015, as California Girls and Women in Sports Week, said that in the case of his own daughter, Brittany, her ability to play water polo was the difference between acceptance and rejection for admittance to UC San Diego.  From there she went on to Southwestern Law School, and soon will be taking the bar, Stone told his colleagues.

 

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Local Governments

CONVICTED POLICE OFFICERS–San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and San Diego Police Chief Shelly Zimmerman have commented on the Jan. 30 conviction of Bryce and Jennifer Charpentier, a husband and wife who were police officers, on charges  of conspiring to commit burglaries while armed and on duty in order to steal prescription medications.  They both were sentenced to three years in prison.  Said Dumanis: ““The criminal actions of these defendants are compounded by their violation of the public’s trust. As sworn peace officers, their job was to protect the public, not victimize it. This case sends a strong message from all of us in law enforcement that peace officers who break the law will be held accountable just like any other defendant.”  Zimmerman said: “These individuals are now facing the very real consequences of their illegal actions. It is unfortunate that a few bad apples have diminished the great work done by the vast majority of our officers who protect and serve our city every day with honor and professionalism. Not only will behavior like this not be tolerated by SDPD, we will continue to proactively root out anyone that chooses to betray our badge and dishonor our noble profession.”

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SKATE PARK — San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald on Tuesday, Feb. 3posted on her Facebook page: “I am excited to share that the City Heights Skate Park is one step closer to being completed. The City Heights Recreation Council unanimously approved the General Development Plan proposed for the Skate Park and it will now be going to the Area Committee for a vote. The Rec Council held two design meetings where community members shared their ideas and concerns and Schmidt Design Group and Stantec took this input and came up with the amazing design pictured below. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us reach this point including the youth community and the Park and Recreation, Public Works, and Planning Departments. This is a part of a $4.46 million grant the city received from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development to design and construct two skateboard parks; one in the Linda Vista Community and one in City Heights.”

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Items in the report dealing with Jewish women in Congress are sponsored by Laura Galinson in memory of her father, Murray Galinson.

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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World.  He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com

3 thoughts on “Senate moves to prevent veterans’ suicides”

  1. It’s not because of lack of mental health treatment, it’s because no one will hire veterans anymore…can you imagine donating 4 years of your life, only to be told “you should of gone to college.” HIRE VETERANS AND YOU WILL SAVE THEIR LIVES.

  2. Interesting how the media suddenly quit talking about the over all investigation into the VA services for veterans. The media is pathetic in these ways. Must have got side tracked with the half time show, or Mc D’s trimming their menu offerings, or….

  3. Pingback: U.S. Senate moves forward on trying to prevent veterans from committing suicide | National Monitor

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