[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VETERAN TREATMENT COURT

  (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the opening of Santa 
Barbara County's first veteran treatment court. Last week our country 
came together to remember and pay respect to our veterans, and I was 
humbled and honored to participate in memorial services honoring our 
veterans, 50,000 of whom live on California's central coast. Their 
sacrifice is never forgotten, just as our work to support them is never 
finished. And that's why I support this new innovative and 
collaborative treatment court in my congressional district, which will 
better serve our veterans, especially those struggling with substance 
abuse, mental health issues, or other disorders. This veterans court 
fills a critical gap in care for our veterans by helping former 
servicemembers who are struggling and in pain.
  Mr. Speaker, it's our duty to serve those who have served us so 
gallantly. Our veterans have sacrificed and shown their unquestioning 
commitment to this country; and veteran treatment courts, like the one 
in Santa Maria, provide another straightforward way for us to better 
serve them. So I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Santa 
Barbara County for taking this critical step in supporting our veterans 
by establishing this veteran treatment court.

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