[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 4, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H760-H761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SERVICEMEMBER ASSISTANCE FOR LAWFUL UNDERSTANDING, TREATMENT, AND 
                             EDUCATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last week, my fellow 
Chester County Congressman, Patrick Meehan, introduced the 
Servicemember Assistance for Lawful Understanding, Treatment, and 
Education Act, otherwise known as the SALUTE Act.
  I want to praise Congressman Meehan for his leadership on this issue 
and speak a little bit about it in support of the SALUTE Act.

                              {time}  1015

  It is going to help veterans overcome addictions and PTSD by 
providing yearly Federal funding for Veterans Treatment Courts. This is 
an opportunity for all of us to help troubled veterans break free of 
the cycle and get the help that they need.
  It is estimated that one in five veterans returning from Afghanistan 
and Iraq will experience a stress-related

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mental illness. Veterans Treatment Courts assist soldiers who are 
charged with nonviolent crimes and who are struggling with certain 
addictions or mental illnesses. Veterans Treatment Courts provide an 
opportunity for them to get their lives back on the right track and to 
not spiral down a track of addiction.
  Pennsylvania, as you may know, is a hub of veterans courts, as 18 
counties have them. In fact, three counties that I represent--Chester, 
Montgomery, and Berks--have Veterans Treatment Courts, and I have seen 
firsthand as the Chester County commissioner how impactful and 
effective they can be. I have witnessed firsthand how important it is 
to the lives of returning veterans. So I share with you a quote that I 
received from Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan:

       These brave men and women have sacrificed so much to serve 
     our country and protect our freedom. We owe it to them to 
     help them when they return home. Veterans court provides the 
     structure and support to address the unique needs of combat 
     veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system. 
     It is our duty to thank our veterans by offering help as they 
     readjust to civilian life.

  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the SALUTE Act, and I want 
to thank, again, Congressman Meehan for introducing it. When the time 
comes, I encourage my colleagues to full-heartedly support the SALUTE 
Act. It is commonsense legislation that will help our Nation's heroes.

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