Washington House Democrats

Moeller is named co-chair of panel reviewing military matters

Vancouver lawmaker assumes leadership post for veterans’ committee

April 21, 2007

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Jim Moeller has been selected to co-chair a 16-legislator committee charged with reviewing issues confronting Washington’s more than 600,000 veterans, and thousands of active-duty, National Guard and reserve service personnel.

Moeller, D-Vancouver, will join state Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, in co-chairing the Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs.

“I look forward to working with Senator Roach in co-chairing this important joint committee,” said Moeller.

“The men and women of Washington who are now serving and who have served in our military forces deserve our utmost attention in meeting their needs and getting their questions answered. I’m honored to have this opportunity to continue working on these issues.”

Moeller noted that the joint committee meets during the interim between legislative sessions. He said the committee gathers information on pertinent matters, and makes recommendations on legislative proposals.

The panel is made up of four members each from the House Democratic, House Republican, Senate Democratic and Senate Republican caucuses.

Two years ago, Moeller won full legislative support for a bill aimed at “putting veterans in greater control of services and programs aimed at helping fellow veterans in

need.”

Three years in the making, his 2005 legislation aimed to improve services for impoverished veterans. The new state policy works to guarantee help for indigent veterans and their families.

“Society is pretty good at supporting service people when they’re putting their lives on the line,” Moeller emphasized as his bill was moving through the legislative process two years back. “This bill is about making sure veterans’ needs are met after their time in the military, too.”

Representatives from veterans' organizations joined Moeller in working with county officials to develop the legislation. Terms of the measure created a veterans-only advisory board in every county.

Moeller said county authorities are now obliged to talk with the veterans’ advisory board to determine services needed for indigent veterans.

“This state policy puts veterans in control of helping veterans,” he said. “Veterans will always be present in the work of advisory boards to make sure their fellow veterans receive the best possible services.

“We should always respect and support our troops and their families,” Moeller explained.

“All I’m saying is let’s not limit our respect and support to times like the last couple years when it’s popular to be patriotic. Let’s keep holding these men and women in high esteem after their time in the service, too. Our veterans don’t need a hand out. They don’t want that sort of thing, anyway. What they’ve earned is a hand up.”

Moeller’s legislation was supported by numerous veterans’ organizations.

For broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange TV or radio interviews, contact Dan Frizzell, House Democratic Caucus broadcast coordinator, at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.

at robbins.clint@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7323.