FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2006
Burghard travels to county courthouse to talk with veterans on Memorial Day
Columbia, MO - Today, Ninth District Congressional Candidate Duane Burghard traveled to the Boone County Courthouse to talk with veterans on Memorial Day. Burghard stated, "Today America remembers the ultimate sacrifice made by members of our armed forces who did not return home from wars past and present. We also remember our promises to America's veterans for protecting our lives and livelihoods."
Presently, 133,000 American service-members are deployed in Iraq and 17,869 have returned wounded since 2003.1 While the list of soldiers suffering from serious injuries increases, funding for their care has not. The current Congressional budget cuts Veteran's Administration (VA) health care by $6 billion over five years.2 Lack of VA funding has resulted in waitlists for health care appointments and VA hospital closings. The number of new enrollees waiting for their first appointment at the VA has doubled in the past year.3 Burghard commented, "As a veteran, I am deeply concern about how Congress treats our veterans. We must honor our promise to America's veterans and restore necessary funding for the VA."4
Many veterans also express concern regarding financial hardship. When deployed, soldiers leave behind their jobs, friends and families. Employment guarantees, temporary loan programs, and bankruptcy protections must be extended to troops who leave their careers and businesses behind. Burghard said, "Our nation has a duty to assist with the financial stability of our men and women in the military. In my opinion Congressman Hulshof has not adequately addressed the many shortcomings in the budget and operational practices of the Veteran's Administration. There are 68,000 veterans in the Ninth District. The lack of attention paid to this important issue by our Congress is disturbing and disappointing. Our veterans deserve better."
Duane Burghard is a former United States Naval officer and a member of the Band of Brothers 2006. He is a member of the Disabled American Veterans "Commanders Club." His opponent has supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0% of the time since 2003. In Congress, Duane will be a voice for our fighting men and women and ensure that our government honors its obligations to them.
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1 NPR, "Rumsfeld: Troop Reduction in Iraq Unlikely in 2006", http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5412111.
2 As of May 26, 2006, 17,869 U.S. troops have been wounded in Iraq; 718 U.S. troops have been wounded in Afghanistan, see http://www.icasualties.org. Search http://www.cq.com for "Fiscal 2007 House Budget Resolution", H Con Res 376, for the $6 bil. in VA health care budget cuts.
3 The American Legion, VA/REHAB, RAO Bulletin Update, May 1, 2006. "In April 2005, there were 15,211 on the waiting list. Today, there are 30,475."
4 Hulshof voted for H Con Res 376 which dramatically cut the VA health care budget, in a close vote 218-210.