|
||||||||
|
Dec. 20, 2013 Conaway Chronicle: Benefits for Disabled Veterans and Highlighting the Work of Those Who Help Others __________________________________________ |
||||||||
|
Thank you for reading The Conaway Chronicle, a review of my activities in Congress and the 11th District. Disabled Veterans’ Pension Benefits: On Dec. 18th I co-sponsored legislation offered by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, R-Fla., that would exempt all veterans who retired from the military for physical disability, who received combat-related special compensation, or who have a service connected disability rating of 50% or higher, from changes in the Budget agreement that slow the growth of their disability pensions. The budget agreement included an unclear provision that unintentionally slowed the growth of pension benefits for disabled veterans. This is unacceptable. The House will take this bill up, or other legislation that does the same thing, before the changes take effect. The change in veterans’ pensions does not go into effect until December 2015; nevertheless, we need to fix this in the very near future. Congress will protect disabled veterans from any harmful changes to their pension. Rust Street Ministries: I visited Rust Street Ministries in San Angelo on Dec. 17th. Rust Street Ministries' programs are designed to serve the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical needs of the San Angelo community by providing temporary assistance with food, clothing, household items, and furniture. Rust Street Ministries does valuable work providing spiritual and physical help to those in need. In the photographs are Rust Street Ministries Director Bob Knox in the cowboy hat and Chairman Don Foster.
Good Samaritan Ministries: On Dec. 18th I was given a tour of Good Samaritan Ministries' facility in Brownwood by their director Angela Bostick. She showed me the clothing and food facilities, where more than 300 volunteers work to help clothe and feed needy folks in Brown County. This is a picture of their Deer Project. They take in over 18,000 lbs of venison to help feed the hungry in Brown County.
Toys for Needy Children: On Dec. 18th, I met with two groups who were collecting toys for needy children. After talking to Brian Wade on Leland Acker on KXYL in Brownwood, I stopped by the Toys for Kids event that KXYL was holding with their sister station KQBZ. In the photograph on the left, Ben Cox with KQBZ is on my left and Brian Wade is in the red jacket. Later in the day, I visited Santa's Helpers in Comanche. Kerry Dudley, who is in the photograph on the right, directs the organization and has been with them for 30 years. If you are able to, I urge you to make a donation to an organization that makes sure needy children have a merry Christmas.
Honor Our Troops: I visited Honor Our Troops in Odessa today. They do great work sending care packages to our troops. Honor Our Troops founder Jim Leascher is in the white shirt. Sgt. David Perez is in uniform. If you are able to, I urge you to contribute to them or are similar organization that is doing something to let our servicemen and women know we are thinking of them. http://hot-honorourtroops.com/
Hospice Christmas Tree Lighting: On Dec. 17th I spoke at the Hospice Christmas Tree lighting at the Cactus Hotel in San Angelo. Hospice does wonderful work helping to ease the pain and suffering for folks who are dying. What they do means so much to both those who are dying and the loved ones who are left behind. In the picture with me are my regional director Joanne Powell and Hospice Director David McBride.
Midland County Downtown Library: On Dec. 19th I read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Midland County Downtown library. I had a wonderful time and want to thank the folks at the library for the invitation.
Note: The Conaway Chronicle will not be published the next two weeks. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As always, you can follow me on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Sincerely,  Rep. Mike Conaway, 11th District |
