Board Members

Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs

Meeting of the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Advisory Board

October 19, 2001 Minutes

            The sixteenth meeting of the Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Advisory Board was held on the 19^th of October 2001, at 10:00a.m., in Jayhawk Towers, Kansas Banking Commission offices. The following were present:

Advisory Board

Jim Bunker, DAV Representative, Chair

Representative Dan Timesch

Deborah Rose, American Legion Representative, Secretary

Dr. John Neuberger

Dr. Irv Cohen

Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs (KCVA)

Tonya Ricklefs

 Guests

Russell Haun, Kansas Legislative Chairman, DAV

Harold Pederson

             The meeting was called to order at 10:05a.m. by Jim Bunker, Chairman of the Advisory Board. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Approval of the minutes of the June 20, 2001, meeting.

Dr Neuberger moved to approve the minutes of the June 20, 2001, meeting. Dr Cohen seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by the board unanimously.

 Future direction of the Kansas Gulf Was veterans’ program and Advisory Board.

            Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs gave approval to _______. There is a fulltime FTE, but no funds will be available after February 2002 to support the FTE.

             A lengthy discussion was held regarding the direction of the Advisory Board. The ideas agreed upon by the Board for further study is as follows:

            1) Why are some individuals getting better?

            2) Accomplish further assessment of exposure of Kansas Gulf War veterans.

A subcommittee of Dr. Cohen, Dr. Neuberger, and Dr. Oehme was formed to develop these ideas into study questions. Other questions posed were:

1)      Who would have an interest in doing such a study?

2)      Who can design the questionnaire?

3)      Where are the sources of funding?

The Board also believed it would be a conflict of interest for the Advisory Board to submit a proposal.

            There is a file in KCVA of funding sources outside the Federal government. Tonya Ricklefs will look for the file.

            Deborah Rose moved that the subcommittee develop a study around the question of why some Kansas Gulf War veterans are getting better. Dr Cohen seconded the motion. The motion was approved by the board unanimously.

             Jim Bunker contacted all Federal legislators regarding funding for further Persian Gulf War veteran studies. All were interested, but since the event of September 11, 2001, all funding has been postponed. Representative Thimesch recommends all individuals and organizations contact their Federal legislators to pursue this effort. He also has contacted talk radio programs where he could continue to verbalize the need for further studies of these veterans. 

             Copies of Dr. Steele’s editorial to the American Journal of Epidemiology was provided to the Board members, as well as an article from a Veterans Administration

Researcher who now believe Persian Gulf War veterans are more susceptible to birth defects.

 Current research project: “Autonomic Dysfunction in Gulf War Veterans”

            Tonya Ricklefs states she has 100% support from veterans for the current study. This study is scheduled to end by the end of January 2002.

 Dr. Steele’s activities.

            Dr. Steele will be providing a continuing education presentation to the professional staff at the Colmery-O’Neil Veteran Administration Medical Center in Topeka.

            Dr. Steele will provide testimony in January 2002 to Congressman Shays committee.

 Kansas Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Initiative Advisory Board Vacancy.

            Nominations for the Veteran’s of Foreign War appointment have been submitted to Governor Graves.

 Project Honor.

Project Honor will be for all veterans. Want to ensure that all three service organizations are involved. Recommend the beginning of the legislative session or Valentine’s Day week, or Military Appreciation Day.

 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

 Special Veteran Events:

The Golden Corral will provide a free meal to all military service members on Veterans Day, 12 November 2001, from 4:00p.m. until 10:00p.m. A DAV representative will present at the Topeka restaurant

 Next Meeting:

Mr Bunker announced that the next advisory board meeting will be at the call of the chair. Tentatively schedule for mid January 2002.

 Mr Bunker, chair of the Advisory Board adjourned the meeting at 3:00p.m.