[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 110 (Friday, June 23, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORTING HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY VETERANS TREATMENT COURT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LAUREL M. LEE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2023

  Ms. LEE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Hillsborough County Veterans Treatment Court and the volunteers who are 
the heart of this program.
  Hillsborough County is proud to be home to Florida's largest 
population of veterans--nearly 94,000 veterans. Hillsborough is also 
home to the number one Veterans Treatment Court in the country.
  One in five veterans has a diagnosed mental illness or cognitive 
impairment, and one in six veterans has a substance abuse problem. In 
some cases, upon returning home, these men and women commit a criminal 
offense that is directly attributed to a service or combat-related 
injury.
  The Hillsborough County Veterans Treatment Court, in addition to its 
Mentor Program run entirely by volunteers, integrates alcohol and drug 
treatment programs, mental health services, and justice system case 
processing, while focusing on the successful reintegration of veterans 
back into their communities.
  I'd like to not only recognize but extend a sincere thank you to the 
wonderful volunteers who have had a hand in getting our veterans the 
care they require and deserve.

                          ____________________