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The unofficial site of the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Advisory Board |
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Board Members
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Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs Meeting of the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Advisory Board April 12, 2002 Minutes The seventeenth meeting of the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Advisory Board was held on the 12th of April, at 11:00a.m., in the Kansas Statehouse. The following were present: Advisory BoardJim Bunker, DAV Representative, Chair Representative Dan Timesch, vice chair Deborah Rose, American Legion Representative, Secretary Dr. John Neuberger, via speaker phone Dr. Irv Cohen Senator Salmans Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs (KCVA) Tonya Ricklefs GuestsRussell Haun, Kansas Legislative Chairman, DAV Dr. Hinshaw Meeting came to order at 11:20 am without a quorum. Approval of the minutes of the October 19, 2001, meeting.The approval of the minutes for October 19, 2001 meeting was delayed until a quorum was present. Future direction of the Kansas Gulf Was veterans’ program and Advisory Board. The advisory board discussed the possibility of what direction the program could go in research. Dr. Cohen discussed the points of depleted uranium studies, increased thyroid problems. Dr. Cohen also raised the question of how do we do this, outside researchers or find funding for the project to do research itself? Dr. Hinshaw, a guest, offered that he also had a research project on Gulf War Illness that he already has written a proposal for. At this time (11:30am) Representative Thimesch joined the meeting and created a quorum. He proceeded to give a legislative update on HB 2770. House Bill 2770House Bill 2770 was introduced by Representative Thimesch to generate more funding for the Kansas Persian Gulf War Health Initiative, which will no longer have funding after June 30, 2002. This bill has passed the House Chamber and is currently in the Senate. Representative Thimesch is not sure how it will do because the state is near the end of it’s session. Senator Salmans said he would do what he could to try to get the bill passed for some amount that may try to continue the program in any form. Congressman MoranRepresentative Thimesch and Chairman Bunker stated they had been in contact with Congressman Morans office several times over the last few months. Congressman Moran seemed interested in the issue of Gulf War Illness and specifically the Kansas program. Congressman Moran still hasn’t decided specifically What to do with funding?The advisory board further discussed directions to take the KSPGWHI program. Dr. Neuberger also stated he had an interest in Subcommittee appointments: Research proposal: Dr Neuberger, Dr Cohen, and Dr Oehme Funding issues: Representative Thimesch Project Honor: Representative Thimesch and Veteran Service Organizations Working with Federal legislators: Jim Bunker Mr Bunker, chair of the Advisory Board adjourned the meeting at 3:00p.m. |
