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Jeb in the News
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Hensarling makes stop in Palestine
Lawmaker pays visit to veterans clinic, discusses immigration issues
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By Paul Stone
As Published in the Palestine Herald August 16, 2007
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With Congress in recess until after the Labor Day holiday, U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, was in Palestine Wednesday, making a stop at the local veterans clinic and also talking about the hot button issue of immigration.
“After learning about shameful treatment of our nation’s veterans at VA hospitals like Walter Reed (Army Medical Center),” Hensarling said, “it is important to me to make sure that the facilities and treatment provided to veterans in our district are up to par.”
Hensarling referenced a quote attributed to the U.S.’ 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, who served in the White House from 1923 through 1929.
“A nation that forgets its veterans will soon be a nation that is forgotten,” Hensarling said, quoting Coolidge.
Hensarling, who represents the Fifth Congressional District which includes Anderson County, said it is important to always pay “attention to our veterans.
“I’m a fiscal conservative,” he added, “but I still feel some areas of government are underfunded.”
The congressman said more resources need to be committed to providing quality medical care for our nation’s veterans.
Hensarling toured Palestine’s Community Based Outpatient Clinic for veterans Wednesday afternoon to “take a first-hand look” at the facility.
Following that tour, Hensarling was scheduled to meet “with some local veterans off site.
“I like to hear from the actual consumers and get their perspective,” Hensarling said.
In June 2006, Hensarling said he discovered a physician staffing shortage at the Palestine VA clinic. The congressman then contacted VA Secretary James Nicholson and a new physician was hired within two months.
“Generally, there have not been too many complaints expressed to me about the level of care provided in Palestine,” Hensarling said. “Some veterans have been concerned about staffing issues and wait times for appointments.
“My effort last year to get the Palestine Clinic staffed was successful and hopefully my amendment to the Wounded Warriors Assistance Act, which is aimed at reducing the length of time between the date a veteran or serviceman requests an appointment with the VA and the date that appointment actually occurs, will be signed into law before the year is out,” he added.
Hensarling said some U.S. veterans returning from Iraq are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a term used to describe a severe and ongoing emotional reaction resulting from extensive stress and/or trauma.
Hensarling said Congress should “dedicate the funds, the resources, whatever it takes” to become a leader in providing speciality health care in these areas for its veterans.
“We spend more money on earmarks – pork barrel spending – than we do to provide health care to all the nation’s veterans,” Hensarling said. “That’s a tragedy.”
On another issue, Congress failed this summer to pass an illegal immigration bill which Hensarling described as the chief concern among constituents throughout the Fifth Congressional District.
Hensarling has not given up on the issue, however, saying he still believes “a properly-structured guest/worker program” could be a positive for all parties.
Such a program, however, should not give lawbreakers an advantage over law abiders, according to Hensarling. It would also need to produce an economic benefit to the overall economy rather than an additional cost, he added.
Program participants should not be rewarded with free schooling, free health care or other similar benefits, he added.
“You shouldn’t punish people who follow our laws by rewarding people who don’t follow our laws,” Hensarling said.
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