FROM THE RIO GRANDE GUARDIAN
THE ONLY MEDIA OUTLET SOUTH OF SAN ANTONIO AT THE CAPITOL EVERY DAY COVERING THE 82ND LEGISLATURE
Friday, May 20, 2011
Valley veterans mount new letter writing campaign
By Steve Taylor
HARLINGEN, May 20 - Rio Grande Valley veterans have sent off their latest batch of letters to Congress requesting help in the push for a VA hospital for the region.
Members of the Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley deposited 215 letters Thursday at the main post office in Harlingen. The letters were gathered at Saturday's VA/American Legion Health Fair held at the legion’s Post 205 headquarters in Harlingen.
Alliance leaders Joe Ibarra and Arturo “Treto” Garza verified the addresses and made sure that each letter was proper with postage. Irene T. Garza then deposited the letters.
“We are calling this letter writing campaign Operation 10-10-10,” Ibarra told the Guardian. “We need for the chairs of the veterans committees in Congress to know of our long fought campaign for a VA hospital for deep South Texas and of the plight veterans in this part of the country go through in order to get medical help.”
The nearest VA hospital is in north San Antonio, which can take four hours to get to. The Valley, with a population of 1.2 million, is thought to be the largest metropolis in the nation without a VA hospital.
Ibarra said the letters are directed at U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. “The letters ask that SB 396, authored by U.S. Senator John Cornyn, be placed on the Committee's agenda for a vote in the Senate,” he said.
Garza said the letters are also directed at U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, chair f the House Veterans Affairs Committee and U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, chair of the sub-committee on Veterans Health. “These letters ask that HB 837, authored by U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, be placed on their committees' agenda for a vote in the House.”
The legislation by Hinojosa and Cornyn are identical. They call for an expansion of the newly opened Harlingen VA Surgical Center into a full service medical center that would include an emergency room and inpatient beds. Garza pointed out that the bills have the full support of the local congressional delegation as well as many cities and counties across the Valley.
Ibarra said this is the third batch of letters that have been sent out. The first batch, containing 100 letters, were send to the legislative directors of key members on the veterans affairs committees in both the House and Senate. The letters ask that HB 837 and SB 396 be brought before the attention of their respective member of Congress.
“We selected ten members of each committee as targets,” Garza said.
The second batch of letters went to ten key members of the House subcommittee on Veterans Health. The letters request that HB 837 be brought for a vote.
Also, 37 letters were sent to Congresswoman Buerkle that had been gathered at two veterans’ meetings earlier this month. They also ask that HB 837 be placed on her committee's agenda.
“A total of 454 letters have been sent. It is hoped that enough interest is generated in case of local congressional delegation decides to get co-sponsors for their bills. The bills must get out the committee. This will be a very positive step in our direction,” Ibarra said.
Garza said Valley veterans are hoping that their letters will generate an “outcry” in Congress. He pointed out that Valley veterans have had bills filed in previous sessions but the legislation has never made it out of committee.
“This time around, veterans are going straight to the committees with their requests. This is not the proper protocol to follow, but we must try everything to get our point across,” Garza said.
Ibarra added that the veterans spearheading the push for a VA hospital are urging all the veterans in the Valley and their families to join in their effort. “Veterans feel that they are close to victory, but do not want to take anything for granted. We are determined to continue our quest for a full service medical center for the Valley. We will not rest until this is achieved.”
Write Steve Taylor
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Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
My Harlingen News
From My Harlingen News
Politics, Public Safety, Activism
Letter Writing Campaign Operation 10,10,10
Posted on Thursday, May 19th, 2011
By: Arturo (Treto) Garza
Greetings:
Veterans deposited 215 letters today at the Main Post Office in Harlingen, TX. These letters were gathered at Saturday’s VA/American Legion Health Fair held at Post 205 Hqtrs, in Harlingen, TX Joe Ibarra (Harlingen) and Treto Garza (Harlingen) verified the addresses and made sure that each letter was proper with postage. Irene T. Garza (Harlingen) then deposited the letters.
The letters are directed at Senator Patty Murray, Chairperson of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and asks that SB 396 (Cornyn) be placed on the Committee’s agenda for a vote in the Senate. Letters are also directed at Representative Jeff Miller, Chairperson of the Housed Veterans Affairs Committee and the sub-committee on Veterans Health, chaired by Ann Marie Buerkle. These letters ask that HB 837 (Hinojosa) be placed before their Committees’ agenda for a vote in the House. This is the third batch of letters that have been send out. Both bills call for an expansion of the Harlingen VA Surgical Center be created to a Full Service Medical Center. The bills have the full support of the local Congressional delegation as well as many local governments.
The first batch (100) of letters were send to the Legislative Directors of key members of the Veterans Affairs Committees in both Chambers. Those letters also ask that HB 837 and SB 396 be brought before the attention of their respective member of Congress. Veterans selected 10 members of each committee as targets.
The second batch of letters went to 10 key members of the House Sub-Committee of Veterans Health. The letters request that HB 837 be brought for a vote.
Also, 37 letters were sent to Rep.Buerkle that were gathered at two meetings earlier this month. They also ask the bill be placed before her committee’s agenda.
A total of 454 letters have been sent. It is hoped that enough interest is generated in case of local Congressional delegation decides to get co-sponsors for their bills. The bills must get out the committee. This will be a very positive step in our direction.
Veterans are hoping that their letters are enough to be considered an Outcry for help from Congress. Veterans have had bills filed in previous Sessions but died in committee. This time around, veterans are going straight to the Committees with their requests. “This is not the proper protocol to follow, but we must try everything to get our point across,” says Arturo Treto Garza. Ibarra states that the letter writing campaign dubbed Operation 10,10,10 will continue and asks veterans and their families to join in this effort. Veterans feel that they are close to victory, but do not want to take anything for granted. They will continue their quest for a Full Service Medical Center for the valley.
Politics, Public Safety, Activism
Letter Writing Campaign Operation 10,10,10
Posted on Thursday, May 19th, 2011
By: Arturo (Treto) Garza
Greetings:
Veterans deposited 215 letters today at the Main Post Office in Harlingen, TX. These letters were gathered at Saturday’s VA/American Legion Health Fair held at Post 205 Hqtrs, in Harlingen, TX Joe Ibarra (Harlingen) and Treto Garza (Harlingen) verified the addresses and made sure that each letter was proper with postage. Irene T. Garza (Harlingen) then deposited the letters.
The letters are directed at Senator Patty Murray, Chairperson of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and asks that SB 396 (Cornyn) be placed on the Committee’s agenda for a vote in the Senate. Letters are also directed at Representative Jeff Miller, Chairperson of the Housed Veterans Affairs Committee and the sub-committee on Veterans Health, chaired by Ann Marie Buerkle. These letters ask that HB 837 (Hinojosa) be placed before their Committees’ agenda for a vote in the House. This is the third batch of letters that have been send out. Both bills call for an expansion of the Harlingen VA Surgical Center be created to a Full Service Medical Center. The bills have the full support of the local Congressional delegation as well as many local governments.
The first batch (100) of letters were send to the Legislative Directors of key members of the Veterans Affairs Committees in both Chambers. Those letters also ask that HB 837 and SB 396 be brought before the attention of their respective member of Congress. Veterans selected 10 members of each committee as targets.
The second batch of letters went to 10 key members of the House Sub-Committee of Veterans Health. The letters request that HB 837 be brought for a vote.
Also, 37 letters were sent to Rep.Buerkle that were gathered at two meetings earlier this month. They also ask the bill be placed before her committee’s agenda.
A total of 454 letters have been sent. It is hoped that enough interest is generated in case of local Congressional delegation decides to get co-sponsors for their bills. The bills must get out the committee. This will be a very positive step in our direction.
Veterans are hoping that their letters are enough to be considered an Outcry for help from Congress. Veterans have had bills filed in previous Sessions but died in committee. This time around, veterans are going straight to the Committees with their requests. “This is not the proper protocol to follow, but we must try everything to get our point across,” says Arturo Treto Garza. Ibarra states that the letter writing campaign dubbed Operation 10,10,10 will continue and asks veterans and their families to join in this effort. Veterans feel that they are close to victory, but do not want to take anything for granted. They will continue their quest for a Full Service Medical Center for the valley.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Harlingen News
Politics, Public Safety, Activism
My Harlingen News.com
Posted on Sunday, May 15th, 2011
By: Arturo (Treto) Garza
May 14, 2011
American Legion Post 205
Harlingen, TX
The Veterans Affairs TX Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Services and the American Legion Post 205 sponsored a Veterans Health Fair to enroll and inform veterans of benefits available. Jeff Milligan, Director, of the VA local clinics and Post Commander Raul Fonseca addressed the participants.
Commander Fonseca welcomed the veterans and stated that this was the first ever Health Fair and plans call for future annual Health Fairs. He also urged all veterans to pass the word that they must enroll for veterans benefits. Cmdr. Fonseca just recently took over post command from Cmdr. Tom Harrison. Cmdr. Harrison played a major role in setting up the Fair.
Milligan informed the veterans to make sure that all veterans are enrolled for health services. He stated that their service area has over 110,000 veterans and of those only 26,000 use the services. He exhorted the veterans to spread the word among other veterans to get them to sign up for health care through the newly created health care system. He continued that south Texas now has its own system with its own budget. In order for them to get more funds, veterans must step forward and utilize the benefits which they have earned through their service in the Armed Forces of America. He also stated that in June the new Surgical Center will be opened for inpatient surgery. At that time, they will have their first surgical procedure done. He is very optimistic as to the future of the TX Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Services. Even though the Surgical Center opened in January, they have not done any outpatient surgery because they were waiting for an inspection and accreditation by the Government of the facilities. Apparently, the Center passed and are ready for patients. Other services are being provided. He told the participants that there was VA personnel available to answer any questions. The VA also provided glucose and blood pressure checks. The VA benefits advisors were also present.
Other booths were available sponsored by Amigo Home Health Care Service, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Congressman Ruben Hinojosa’s office, Alfredo Gonzales Texas State Veterans Home, Bright Vista McAllen Medical Center, Valley Baptist Behavioral Health Services, and others.
The DAV provided information on Death Benefits for Survivors of Deceased Veterans and other VA compensation and health benefits. Pete Prax Garza, Commander of DAV Chapter 121 reminds all veterans that are receiving compensation benefits to make sure that they have their medical chart up to date as to service connected claims. This is important in case the veteran passes away and the spouse applies for survivors benefits. There have been many spouses that have experienced problems getting their deceased veteran’s benefits. Samuel Cardenas, DAV Veterans Service Officer is available at the VA clinic to provide assistance to veterans with their claims.
The Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley was able to obtain 218 signatures on letters to the Veterans Affairs Committees’ chairs asking that HB 837 and SB 396 be placed on their respective agenda for a vote. The bill asks for a Full Medical Services Center. Joe Ibarra, says that the fair health was successful because they were able to obtain 221 signed letters from veterans. The letters are being sent to the Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Chairwoman Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle of the House Sub-committee of Health and to Senator Patty Murray, Chairwoman of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee. These bills are identical and call for an extension of the VA Surgical Center to a Full Service Medical Center in Harlingen, TX This is part of Operation 10,10,10 which to date has mailed 325 letters to members of the Veterans Affairs Committees. Veterans are making a very strong effort this time to try and get the bills out of committee. If voted favorably, the bills go before a Conference Committee of both Houses and since they are identical, it would not create any further discussion and could be send to the President. In past sessions, the bills died in committee.
Cmdr. Fonseca and Vice Commander Elugio Muniz were very pleased with the results and turnout at the Fair. The Post has been remodeled and they invite all to stop by. Also attending were Alex Trejo and Ruben Cantu of the recently created Harlingen Veterans Advisory Committee.
.
Politics, Public Safety, Activism
My Harlingen News.com
Posted on Sunday, May 15th, 2011
By: Arturo (Treto) Garza
May 14, 2011
American Legion Post 205
Harlingen, TX
The Veterans Affairs TX Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Services and the American Legion Post 205 sponsored a Veterans Health Fair to enroll and inform veterans of benefits available. Jeff Milligan, Director, of the VA local clinics and Post Commander Raul Fonseca addressed the participants.
Commander Fonseca welcomed the veterans and stated that this was the first ever Health Fair and plans call for future annual Health Fairs. He also urged all veterans to pass the word that they must enroll for veterans benefits. Cmdr. Fonseca just recently took over post command from Cmdr. Tom Harrison. Cmdr. Harrison played a major role in setting up the Fair.
Milligan informed the veterans to make sure that all veterans are enrolled for health services. He stated that their service area has over 110,000 veterans and of those only 26,000 use the services. He exhorted the veterans to spread the word among other veterans to get them to sign up for health care through the newly created health care system. He continued that south Texas now has its own system with its own budget. In order for them to get more funds, veterans must step forward and utilize the benefits which they have earned through their service in the Armed Forces of America. He also stated that in June the new Surgical Center will be opened for inpatient surgery. At that time, they will have their first surgical procedure done. He is very optimistic as to the future of the TX Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Services. Even though the Surgical Center opened in January, they have not done any outpatient surgery because they were waiting for an inspection and accreditation by the Government of the facilities. Apparently, the Center passed and are ready for patients. Other services are being provided. He told the participants that there was VA personnel available to answer any questions. The VA also provided glucose and blood pressure checks. The VA benefits advisors were also present.
Other booths were available sponsored by Amigo Home Health Care Service, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Congressman Ruben Hinojosa’s office, Alfredo Gonzales Texas State Veterans Home, Bright Vista McAllen Medical Center, Valley Baptist Behavioral Health Services, and others.
The DAV provided information on Death Benefits for Survivors of Deceased Veterans and other VA compensation and health benefits. Pete Prax Garza, Commander of DAV Chapter 121 reminds all veterans that are receiving compensation benefits to make sure that they have their medical chart up to date as to service connected claims. This is important in case the veteran passes away and the spouse applies for survivors benefits. There have been many spouses that have experienced problems getting their deceased veteran’s benefits. Samuel Cardenas, DAV Veterans Service Officer is available at the VA clinic to provide assistance to veterans with their claims.
The Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley was able to obtain 218 signatures on letters to the Veterans Affairs Committees’ chairs asking that HB 837 and SB 396 be placed on their respective agenda for a vote. The bill asks for a Full Medical Services Center. Joe Ibarra, says that the fair health was successful because they were able to obtain 221 signed letters from veterans. The letters are being sent to the Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Chairwoman Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle of the House Sub-committee of Health and to Senator Patty Murray, Chairwoman of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee. These bills are identical and call for an extension of the VA Surgical Center to a Full Service Medical Center in Harlingen, TX This is part of Operation 10,10,10 which to date has mailed 325 letters to members of the Veterans Affairs Committees. Veterans are making a very strong effort this time to try and get the bills out of committee. If voted favorably, the bills go before a Conference Committee of both Houses and since they are identical, it would not create any further discussion and could be send to the President. In past sessions, the bills died in committee.
Cmdr. Fonseca and Vice Commander Elugio Muniz were very pleased with the results and turnout at the Fair. The Post has been remodeled and they invite all to stop by. Also attending were Alex Trejo and Ruben Cantu of the recently created Harlingen Veterans Advisory Committee.
.
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