Congressman John Hall for Veterans and the Environment
By Michael Boyajian
We are often quite aware of our soldiers when they are fighting for us overseas and in harm’s way but we often forget about them when they return home in dire need of medical treatment. Not Congressman John Hall. During my recent interview of the congressman he reported that he has been battling on behalf of veterans for many years.
In fact a few years ago he passed a bill unanimously through both houses of Congress during the Bush Administration that provided timely care to vets upon their return home. However once piece of that legislation was left out because some thought it would cost too much.
Well, as of last Tuesday that is no longer the case. Upon the tireless work of Congressman Hall President Obama signed an executive order that fast tracks veterans who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder so that they receive the help they need without the need of intensive documentation and details of battle situation. All that they need is a medical diagnosis saying that they suffer PTSD and they will receive treatment and in some cases compensation if it effects their ability to work.
Congressman Hall also went on to address climate change and how we are being affected by extreme weather as opposed to growing warmer in the short term. We will grow warmer as time passes but right now we are experiencing earlier and more frequent hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, drought and blizzards.
It has gotten to the point that even beyond the climate change we can no longer afford to live in ways that are not sustainable where we send money to the Middle East for oil and that money finds its way to terrorists and that requires us to deploy troops and to pay for it all we must borrow from China. For the sake of our future we must learn to live green sustainable lives.
Congressman Hall is one man but he has shown that one person can make a difference in this country in this day and age. Hats off to the Congressman.
End