washingtonscene
with women’s unique issues, particularly veterans’ council because the state limits
the trauma and stigma associated with do- membership to chartered organizations.
mestic violence and sexual assault; At least eight additional states — Alabama,
■ a lack of information and outreach on Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachu-
available benefi ts and services for women; setts, Minnesota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
■ the need for more research on the effect — impose similar limitations.
of combat on women; and Recognizing it’s inappropriate to ex-
■ recognition of women’s role in combat clude the largest military association and
and changing DoD policy to provide ben- fourth-largest veterans’ association in this Sen. Bill
efi ts equal to male veterans. way, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and 19 other
Nelson
(D-Fla.)
Campos expressed MOAA’s support of senators introduced S. 832 April 20 to au-
Filner’s H.R. 1016 (which would authorize thorize a charter for MOAA. The House
two-year funding for VA health care pro- companion bill, H.R. 2017, was introduced
grams to ensure continuity of care between April 21 by Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)
fi scal years) and Rep. Stephanie Herseth and Walter Jones (R-N.C.).
Sandlin’s (D-S.D.) H.R. 1211 (which would MOAA is grateful to all of these congres-
eliminate barriers that discourage women sional leaders for their support. You can
veterans from seeking VA care and provide help by asking your senators and represen-
other transition assistance). tative to cosponsor S.832 and H.R. 2017.
Campos summarized by saying, “It
Rep. Chris
really comes down to asking the VA to
give women veterans the same respect, Hill-Stormers
Van Hollen
(D-Md.)
recognition, and benefi ts afforded their
male comrades for their service — not just Get Results
words, but words followed by action.”
Key bills’ cosponsorship
totals jump.
Federal
Charter Bill
Introduced
I
n June, we reported that MOAA state
and local leaders, members of the na-
tional board of directors and headquar-
ters staff, and members of MOAA’s Active
MOAA’s charter effort
Duty, National Guard, and Reserve and
Auxiliary Member advisory committees
gains support.
swarmed Capitol Hill April 22 to visit rep-
resentatives and senators and discuss key
C
ongress long has recognized MOAA legislative initiatives.
various military, veterans’, and pa- The annual event ensures legislators
triotic organizations by enacting are personally aware of MOAA’s issues and
honorary federal charters. A federal char- solicits their cosponsorship of selected key
ter simply signals that a particular group bills. Cosponsorship increases in the wake
— in this case, MOAA — serves the public of those visits (as of May 22) show that
interest by providing member services and MOAA’s Hill-stormers got results:
community support. Concurrent receipt
Although a charter does not confer ■ H.R. 303 — 32 new cosponsors (88-per-
any special rights, privileges, or ben- cent increase)
efi ts, MOAA’s North Carolina Council of ■ H.R. 333 — 34 new cosponsors (68-per-
Chapters was denied a seat on the state’s cent increase)
JULY 2009 MILITARY OFFICER 33
JJul_scene.indd
33ul_scene.indd 33 66/5/09 8:12 PM/5/09 8:12 PM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80