SENATOR PALMER AND OTHER KANSAS LEGISLATORS VISIT WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER MARCH 6, 2007
Please read the Press Release below and view the pictures taken at Walter Reed.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2007
KANSAS LEGISLATORS VISIT WALTER REED,
DISCUSS FACILTIY CONDITIONS WITH SOLDIERS
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Kansas State Representative Judy Morrison (R-Shawnee) and State Senator Peggy Palmer (R-Augusta) met with soldiers from Kansas who are currently patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, yesterday.
Morrison, Chair-Elect of the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL), and Palmer, a NFWL Policy Committee Team Leader were in Washington, DC for leadership meetings, including a meeting with National Guard Counterdrug Coordinators and an event honoring women in politics, when reports of poor conditions at the facility broke in the news. Morrison and Palmer immediately requested to visit with service members from Kansas currently at Walter Reed to see that they are receiving adequate care and services.
During their visit, Morrison and Palmer met with several members of the Armed Services who are currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed as well as family members who are visiting and caring for loved ones at the facility.
“This visit was a positive experience,” stated Palmer. “Certainly we want to increase access to benefits and medical services and we want to be certain that the returning wounded receive high quality care. The focus of our communications with Senator Bob Dole and VA Secretary Jim Nicholson will be on the transition of returning wounded service members to veteran status as they are discharged from deployment.”
NFWL has arranged a conference call for Morrison and Palmer with former U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) to discuss the conditions at Walter Reed and what can be done for Kansas’ soldiers. President Bush appointed Dole to serve as Co-Chair of The President’s Commission On Care For America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. Through NFWL, Morrison and Palmer have already connected with Secretary Jim Nicholson, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who is the Chair of President Bush’s Interagency Task Force On Returning Global War On Terror Heroes.
“Senator Dole and Secretary Nicholson have been very responsive,” stated Morrison. “I look forward to hearing more from Defense Secretary Gates about the Department of Defense’s review group and their assessment about patient treatment at Walter Reed as well as the Bethesda Naval Center.”
Robin Read, NFWL’s President & CEO, worked with NFWL Board Member Joe Violante, National Legislative Director for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), to coordinate this visit.
About the National Foundation For Women Legislators, Inc. (NFWL)
Through annual educational and networking events, the National Foundation for Women Legislators supports women legislators from all levels of governance. As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, NFWL does not take ideological positions on public policy issues, but rather serves as a forum for women legislators to be empowered through information and experience.
Peggy visiting with soldier amputee at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Peggy visiting with U.S. Army Officer at Walter Reed
