FEINGOLD LISTENS TO CONSTITUENTS IN
BROWN COUNTY
May 7, 2008
De Pere, WI - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold recently listened to constituents
at his Brown County listening session, which was held in De Pere, Saturday,
May 3, at De Pere City Hall. Brown County was Feingold’s 43rd
listening session of 2008, and his 1123rd since he was first elected.
Senator Feingold has pledged to hold listening sessions in all of Wisconsin’s
72 counties each year of his six-year term, and this is his 16th year
of holding them. Approximately 41 people from around the county attended
the listening session where topics included the war in Iraq, conditions
for servicemembers at Fort Bragg, gas prices and ethanol, and funding
to aid world hunger.
“I always look forward to meeting with constituents in Brown
County, and this is now my sixteenth year of holding these open meetings
in every county around the state,” said Feingold. “These
listening sessions are an excellent opportunity for me to hear directly
from constituents about any issues or concerns they may have, and I
appreciate the effort people make to attend these meetings and let their
voice be heard. Their ideas and advice continue to enable me to serve
the people of Wisconsin to the best of my ability.”
Before the Senator listened to and took questions from participants,
he discussed his recent efforts to ensure veterans and servicemembers
get the support and benefits they deserve. Feingold has been a strong
advocate for improved veterans and servicemembers care, calling for
the U.S. Army to address deplorable conditions at Fort Bragg, passing
a measure in the U.S. Senate to eliminate cell phone fees for troops
deployed overseas, introducing legislation to have the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) properly track how many veterans commit suicide,
introducing legislation to ensure all veterans are aware of their benefits,
and leading an effort to open two new Vet Centers in Wisconsin.
Servicemembers’ Cell Phone Contract Fairness
The Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act passed by the U.S. Senate
in April included legislation by Feingold to allow servicemembers who
are deployed overseas to terminate cell phone contracts without having
to pay termination or suspension fees. Feingold introduced the original
measure in 2006 after learning of Wisconsin servicemembers being forced
to pay early termination fees or pay for a service they cannot use when
they are bravely serving our country.
Fort Bragg Conditions
Feingold is calling on the U.S. Army to address the deplorable conditions
at Fort Bragg exposed by a video made by the father of a Wisconsin soldier
stationed at the base. Ed Frawley of Menomonie, Wisconsin, whose son
was stationed at Fort Bragg following his 15-month deployment to Afghanistan,
posted a video on YouTube that included images of what appear to be
moldy walls, broken toilets, potential gas leaks, and bathrooms flooded
with sewage. Feingold is also asking the Department of Defense to investigate
the living conditions of servicemembers stationed at Fort Bragg.
Veterans Suicide Study Act
Feingold joined Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) in introducing legislation
requiring the VA to track how many veterans commit suicide each year.
Currently, VA facilities record the numbers of suicide deaths and attempts
by veterans under VA care – which have increased from 492 in 2000
to 790 in 2007 – but do not rigorously track all veteran suicides.
While the VA has failed to sufficiently track suicide trends among veterans,
recently released data indicate that more needs to be done to prevent
veteran suicides.
Veterans Outreach
Feingold is also working to pass legislation to ensure that all veterans
are aware of the benefits they have earned. The Veterans Outreach Improvement
Act would require the VA to budget for veterans outreach efforts and
give the Secretary the authority to fund efforts by state and local
officials to conduct outreach. Feingold introduced the bill in response
to conversations with Wisconsin's veteran community. A similar version
of the bill was passed by the House of Representatives last year, and
Feingold will continue pushing the Senate to follow suit and pass the
legislation.
Vet Centers
To begin addressing the growing mental health needs of Wisconsin veterans
immediately, Feingold also reiterated his call for the VA to open two
additional Vet Centers in Wisconsin, one in Brown County and the other
in La Crosse County. Feingold is leading an effort from the entire Wisconsin
congressional delegation to open these centers, which would give servicemembers,
veterans and their families better access to counseling in a welcoming,
nonclinical environment.
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