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Congressman Brown Urges Support for Veterans Suffering from ALS as U.S. House Passes Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Funding Bill

Press Release

Date: June 15, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Military Personnel Veterans


Congressman Brown Urges Support for Veterans Suffering from ALS as U.S. House Passes Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Funding Bill

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on legislation to fulfill our nation's obligation to America's servicemen and women, passing the 2008 Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations. In addition to nearly $10 billion for construction projects on military bases, this legislation will provide $37.1 billion for veterans' health care, a 13.6 percent increase over last year, and $4.1 billion for VA construction projects. These additional funds will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve medical facilities and increase access to vital resources.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Congressman Brown praised the efforts of the committee to ensure that our veterans receive the highest standard of care and drew attention to a very serious battle our veterans are waging here at home, ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease:

"Lou Gehrig's disease is a horrific disease that robs a person of the ability to control their muscles. Unfortunately, I have first hand knowledge of the true nature of ALS and its impact on veterans. I have watched the disease attack a close friend of mine, Tom Mikolajcik, a retired Air Force brigadier general. Tom was diagnosed with ALS in 2003 and since then I have seen this disease rob a once powerful man of nearly all his physical abilities.

We must begin to take the steps that are necessary not only to discover why our veterans are at greater risk of ALS and to find treatments for the disease, but also to help ensure that they have timely access to needed VA benefits. Our heroes who have served in the military and who are serving today deserve no less."

ALS is a disease that disproportionately affects our nation's veterans. Both independent and government studies have found that military veterans are at a 60% greater risk for developing ALS. There is no treatment or cure for ALS and it is fatal within two to five years of diagnosis.

With House passage, the legislation will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.


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