There's a flood of press releases coming out of Walz's office today.
First up: traumatic brain injury centers for veterans. Before last year's election, the New Ulm Journal scolded the administration's cuts to the Army's brain injury program. Today, Walz has introduced legislation that will help treat those receiving traumatic brain injuries in the wars.
The You Tube of his statement on the House floor:
The press release:
Today, Congressman Tim Walz introduced H.R. 2179, the
Traumatic Brain Injury Centers Act. "I introduced this bill because
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has quickly become the signature injury of the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and it urgently needs our attention," said
Walz.H.R. 2179 would help veterans cope with TBI by creating five Traumatic Brain
Injury Centers around the country. These centers would conduct TBI
research, develop improved models for TBI care and provide TBI education and
training for VA staff. "While VA has built an impressive medical system
that includes high-quality polytrauma centers, H.R. 2179 would ensure that
the VA system also includes centers that focus solely on TBI. These centers
will be the focal points for research and education dealing with a
devastating injury we are only now beginning to truly understand," said
Walz.While new forms of military technology are routinely saving soldiers' lives
from deadly explosive attacks, these survivors often return home suffering
from TBI. Veterans suffering from TBI often have to relearn simple skills
and are at times left permanently unable to perform daily functions."As America's service members return home, many of them suffering from TBI,
we owe them nothing less than the highest quality care as they learn to live
with their injuries," concluded Walz.
Download the text of the legislation here: tbi_center_walz.pdf.
It's National Teacher Day. We'll let Representative Walz speak for himself on this. (audio file; text below the fold)
Even school children in the First District are articulate about the situation in Iraq. Two Austin High School students are among the first place winners in C-SPAN's StudentCam documentary contest:
Today, Congressman Tim Walz offered his congratulations to Austin High School students Anthony Hernandez and Dustin Gillard on receiving First Prize in the C-SPAN StudentCam documentary competition.
"These two students offer a great example of the talent and innovation of our youth," Walz said. "All of Southern Minnesota can be proud of Anthony and Dustin. Their commitment to civic engagement and citizenship make them roll models for America's youth."
The two students won the prize for their documentary about the Iraq war, "Our Duty." The film features interviews with Senator John McCain and anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan. The documentary will air on C-SPAN, Wednesday, June 13 at 5:50 a.m. CST followed by a live interview at 7:30 a.m. CST.
Last year, Hernandez and Gillard won the Grand Prize in the StudentCam competition.
One of the reasons ag and power co-ops in the First supported the DM & E railroad loan wasthey hoped to escape some of the burden of "captive" rail transport costs. With the introduction of the Railroad Competition Act, Walz and other representatives hope to relieve this problem. Another press release:
Rep. Tim Walz joined with ten of his House colleagues,
including Transportation Committee Chairman and fellow Minnesota Jim
Oberstar, to introduce the Railroad Competition and Service Improvement Act
(H.R. 2125) last week. The legislation will promote competition in the
freight rail industry and address the challenges faced by rail shippers who
are served by only one rail line."Today, only four Class I railroads serve the entire North American
continent and control more than 95 percent of all rail business, said Rep.
Walz, who is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. "In most industries, when there is a lack of competition,
it's the customers who suffer - the rail industry is no different. Our
producers, businesses and consumers are paying the price for a rail system
that allows monopolies to dominate the market. That needs to change."The legislation Rep. Walz is cosponsoring would require the Surface
Transportation Board to promote effective competition among rail carriers at
origins and destinations, enforce reasonable rates for rail customers in the
absence of competition, and ensure efficient and reliable rail
transportation service for rail customers. Additionally, it makes appeals
to the STB more accessible by reducing the current filing fee of $178,200 to
a filing fee equivalent to that of a Federal District Court.
It's National Teacher Day. We'll let Representative Walz speak for himself on this. Text below the fold.
The text of Walz's statement on National Teacher Day:
Hi, this is Congressman Tim Walz and today on National Teacher Day I'd like to take a moment to honor the commitment and hard work of America's educators.
As you may know, I spent nearly two decades in the classroom before taking a leave of absence from Mankato West High School to serve in the United States Congress. I know from first hand experience that teachers serving across Southern Minnesota and throughout the state are some of the best in the world. Our teachers go above and beyond every day for our students. Teaching is one of the most honorable professions in the world.
Our educators are called upon daily to teach our children the life-lessons that textbooks cannot. They offer the advice that only someone who has counseled, coached and taught hundreds of students can offer. Teachers open students' minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams.
Our hope for the future currently rests in the thousands of young minds making their way through school in Southern Minnesota. Every day, we entrust this great asset to the educators that shape our children. In return, teachers help our democracy thrive by laying the foundation for good citizenship, scientific innovation, and the next generation's master-works of art and literature.
Today, I ask everyone make an effort to thank an educator that impacted their life. On this one day a year, a kind word is the least we can do for those that have given our children so much.
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