Congressman Ron Klein weekly report

FROM STAFF REPORTS

This week, Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) unveiled a package of priorities for our nation’s veterans, dubbed the “Five Star Veterans’ Priority Plan.” Klein rolled out his plan on Monday at Veteran’s Park in Delray Beach. About a dozen veterans from local organization such as the Korean War Veterans, the Jewish War Veterans, the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans and the American Ex-POWs joined him
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Klein’s plan calls for mandating full funding for veterans’ health care, eliminating the massive backlog for disability benefits claims, reviving the G.I. Bill for the 21st century, strengthening benefits for the National Guard and Reserves, and guaranteeing health benefits for returning service members.

“These American heroes laid their lives on the line for our country, and it is time for ‘support our troops’ to be more than just a slogan,” Klein said. “To really support our troops and their families, we have to ensure that when they come home, they have access to quality mental and physical health care and the educational benefits they deserve. It is, quite simply, the right thing to do.”

Klein’s plan was developed in conjunction with local veterans and national leaders, such as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Veteran’s Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner. The details of the plan are available at www.klein.house.gov.

Also this week, Klein, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism, marked Holocaust Remembrance Day. Klein strongly condemned the anti-Semitic vandalism of a Parkland synagogue that took place the night before Holocaust Remembrance Day, calling it a “disgusting display of hate.” The vandalism included spray-painted swastikas and the words “Heil Hitler.”

“I am outraged by this disgusting display of hate,” Klein said on Thursday morning. “This is a cowardly act of vandalism against innocent people of faith. We in South Florida stand united against this kind of discrimination. This vile act will not be tolerated.”

The Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism, which Klein chairs with Congressman Mike Pence, (R-IN) is the bipartisan voice of Congress against anti-Semitism worldwide.

Separately, Klein discussed with constituents this week the upcoming digital television transition. A new federal law requires all television stations to switch their broadcast from analog to digital by February 17, 2009. Congress passed this legislation to open up more emergency communication channels for police, fire and rescue personnel, but it will require some people to make a small adjustment to their televisions in order to keep receiving programming. Any TV sets which receive a signal from rabbit ears or rooftop antennas, rather than from cable or another paid service, will require a converter box in order to work properly after next February’s transition.

Coupons are available to offset the cost of converter boxes, and can be found at www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009.

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