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Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Meeting of the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Advisory Board February 20 2001 Minutes
The thirteenth meeting of the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Advisory Board was held on the 20th of February, 2001, at 12:00 p.m., in the State Capitol building, Room 522-South. The following were present:
Advisory Board Jim Bunker, DAV representative Dr. John Neuberger Dr. Fred Oehme (by speaker telephone) Senator Larry Salmans Representative Dan Thimesch
Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs (KCVA) Tonya Ricklefs Dr. Lea Steele
Guests Jerry Kitchen, American Legion Deborah Rose, Kansas State Nurses Association Ken Strafer, Deputy Assistant Secretary designee of the US Department of Veterans Affairs Dave Warnken, American Legion
The meeting was called to order at 12:07 p.m. by Senator Salmans, chairman of the Advisory Board.
Minutes of the September 19, 2000 and December 20, 2000 Meeting Senator Salmans deferred action on the minutes until the end of the meeting. No final action was taken on the minutes before the end of the meeting.
Update on state activities A. Concurrent state resolution: Representative Thimesch informed the advisory board that both the Kansas House and Senate are planning on running resolutions February 28th. Based on results of the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Study, these resolutions ask the federal government to increase research, benefits, and services for Gulf War veterans who are suffering from Gulf War illness. Representative Thimesch also invited the advisory board members to come to the House Federal and State Committee hearing on the resolution this afternoon at 1:30 pm.
Senator Salmans wanted to invite veterans to apply for a pass for VIP seating to watch the Senate run the Gulf War illness resolution. The person to contact for the VIP passes is Trent LaDoux, the Administrative Assistant to the Senate Majority Leader.
B. “Project Honor” and candlelight commemorative service Representative Thimesch shared with the board that on February 28th the state will also honor Kansas veterans. Activities are planned at the Kansas Capitol during the day and evening, ending with a commemorative service for Gulf War veterans. Representative Thimesch outlined the schedule of activities during the day which include speakers who are veterans, state representatives, veterans advocates, and Dr. Lea Steele. He also informed the board that there has been over 300 free lunches donated by various lobbying organizations for veterans and their family members that attend the events during the day. Jim Bunker outlined the activities of the evening candlelight commemorative service for the advisory board. The arrival time for the service is 6:00pm with guest speakers starting at 7:00pm and taps ending the ceremony at 8:00pm. The specific agenda for all the activities during the day and evening have been attached to these minutes. Representative Thimesch and Jim Bunker also informed the advisory board that there will be booths set up at the capital representing a variety of different veteran service organizations. One of these booths will be the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Program. After the information about “Project Honor” was shared, Mr. Ken Strafer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs designee, (an audience guest), shared with the advisory board his perspective of events that occurred during the Gulf War he believed could have contributed to Gulf War Illness. Mr. Strafer also emphasized that the VA and the DOD would have to work together in finding answers for Gulf War veterans medical issues.
Update on KPGWVHI program activities Dr. Steele presented an overview of plans for providing information to veterans and others concerning results of the Kansas Gulf Veterans Health study and conducting outreach to veterans to provide information regarding health issues, programs, and benefits related to Gulf War service. She called board members attention to a handout that summarized topics to be covered in an information mailing to be sent to all veterans in the Kansas Gulf Veterans’ Information database, and encouraged board members to contact the project office with any additional ideas regarding content or style of the information sheet. Dr. Steele then showed the advisory board a public information/media plan that has been developed to insure that information about the meetings reach Kansas Gulf War veterans. She informed the board that the meetings will start in late March or April.
Dr. Steele reviewed plans regarding what venues in each town (Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Junction City/Manhattan, Colby, Salina, Hays, Parsons, Hutchinson, Emporia, and Dodge City) the veterans’ information meetings could be held at. The venue choices have been narrowed down to a couple options based on criteria including, but not excluded to, location, accessability, and price. Dr. Steele asked the board to contact the project office with any questions or concerns that they may have about the different venue options.
Dr. Steele then outlined the agenda of the information meetings. The agenda for the meetings will consist primarily of KCVA staff providing information to veterans and family members, with some time reserved for questions. Specific areas of information being address at the meetings include background information on the Gulf War, specific health issues for Gulf War veterans, and general information about the VA and the DOD that Gulf War veterans should know. Copies of the slides used during this presentation has been attached to these minutes.
Dr. Steele then informed the board about her presentations at two scientific meetings she had been invited to in January. The first meeting, in Washington D.C., was for federal officials, scientists, and clinicians tasked with addressing Gulf War-related health problems. Dr. Steele shared that her presentation about the Kansas Gulf War Veterans study had been well attended and well received by veterans advocates in attendance. The second meeting, in Seattle, WA, was for researchers and clinicians who work with chronic fatigue syndrome. While Dr. Steele was there, she was interviewed about Gulf War illness and chronic fatigue syndrome. One of the articles based on that interview was handed out to the advisory board, and has been attached to these minutes.
Update on national Gulf War veterans’ issues Dr. Steele quickly informed the advisory board about national issues involving Gulf War Illness and the 10th anniversary of the Gulf War. There will be a press conference held by Ross Perot, Alison Johnson, and Jim Tuite. The Kansas Gulf War Veterans Project has been informed that the results of the Kansas Gulf War Veterans Study may be shared at this press conference. The results of the Kansas Gulf War Veterans Study have also been used in a report recently released by the National Gulf War Resource Center. Dr. Steele also updated the board on federal legislation (HB 612) being introduced in the Senate that could extend the time for Gulf War veterans to come forward with their symptoms and have those possibly connected to the Gulf War.
Future direction of the Kansas Gulf War veterans’ program and Advisory Board Senator Salmans deferred discussion on the direction of the advisory board because of time constraints, but instructed all the board members to send Dr. Steele a summarized statement of what goals you would like to see the board achieve and what time frame do you see these goals being accomplished in. Senator Salmans personal recommendation is that the board continues throughout the duration of the funding for research, two more years.
Advisory Board business
Senator Salmans opened with a discussion of the open advisory board positions. Sharon Raby’s position on the board will be vacant when she moves in June. The American Legion will need to make a recommendation to the governor for a replacement. Also, Jeff Lawson position is up for reappointment and Jim Bunker advised that the VFW needs to be made of this. Finally, the board discussed the open Behavioral Science board position. Senator Salmans recommended consulting the Behavioral Science board for a suitable person to take the position. Jim Bunker knew of a psychiatrist at the VA that may be an asset to the board. Finally, Dr. Oehme thought that the board could look into stretching the definition of Behavioral Science to include a neuroscientist. The final decision for a recommendation comes from the KCVA and Dr. Steele assured the board that KCVA will start the process of receiving applications. Senator Salmans moved that the board start the process of electing board members to the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. Representative Thimesch nominated Jim Bunker to the position of Chair of the advisory board. Dr. Neuberger seconded Mr. Bunkers nomination and Dr. Oehme moved that the vote was unanimous. For the position of Vice-Chair, Senator Salmans nominated Representative Thimesch and Jim Bunker seconded the nomination. Dr. Oehme moved that the board elect Representative Thimesch to the position of Vice-Chair. Jim Bunker moved that the board hold the election of Secretary until the deadline of June 30th. Waiting would allow time for the placement of new board appointees that could participate in the election process. Representative Thimesch seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned by Senator Salmans at 1:20 p.m. |
