Contact:
Rep. Judy Morrison
785/296-7646
Morrisonj@house.state.ks.us

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 12, 2007

KANSAS LAWMAKERS TOUR WALTER REED, DISCUSS FACILITY CONDITIONS WITH SOLDIERS

Washington – Kansas State Representative Judy Morrison (R-Shawnee) and State Senator Peggy Mast-Palmer (R-Augusta) met recently with soldiers from Kansas who are currently patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Morrison, Chair-Elect of the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and Palmer, NFWL Policy Committee Team Leader were in Washington, D.C. last week for leadership meetings, including a meeting with National Guard Courterdrug Coordinators, when reports of poor conditions at the facility broke in the news.

“Senator Palmer and I became very concerned as we learned details about the conditions and requested to visit with service members from Kansas currently at Walter Reed to see that they are receiving adequate care and services,” Rep. Morrison explained.  “Our injured soldiers and marines returning home from the war front deserve the best medical care available.” 

Rep. Morrison said during their visit, they met with several members of the Armed Services who are currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed as well as family members visiting and caring for loved ones at the facility.

“There appears to be a complete lack of oversight of two units run by private contractors.  We were relieved to find the reported problems seemed to be isolated to the privately contracted units and that those problems are being addressed. All the soldiers we met with and spoke with said they were being treated well,” said Morrison. 

Morrison recalled one inspiring conversation she had with a marine.

“One young man who had lost both of his legs told me despite his loss, he would do it all again.  He really believes we are doing the right thing to protect our country from terrorists and to bring democracy to Iraq.”

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 to the situation,” stated Morrison.  “I also look forward to hearing from Defense Secretary Gates about the Department of Defense’s review group and their assessment about patient treatment at Walter Reed as well as Bethesda Naval Center.”

Robin Read, NFWL’s President and CEO, worked with NFWL Board member Joe Violante, National Legislative Director for the Disable American Veterans (DAV), to coordinate the visit.

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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 rater serves as a forum for women legislators to be empowered through information and experience.