[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 153 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING TAMPA VETERANS TREATMENT COURT AND MENTORS PROGRAM

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I recognize the 10-year anniversary 
of the Tampa Veterans Treatment Court and Veteran Mentors Program.
  Among the largest veteran treatment courts in the nation, the Tampa 
Veterans Treatment Court and Mentors Program was established in 2013 
thanks to the efforts of retired U.S. Army COL DJ Reyes. The purpose of 
the program is to help identify and provide the necessary U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs treatments and counselling to veterans 
whose involvement in the criminal justice system is often connected to 
a condition or disorder incurred during their military service.
  At the height of the program, the Tampa Veterans Treatment Court and 
Mentors Program grew to more than 225 veteran defendants and more than 
100 volunteer veteran mentors. The program currently enjoys a 90-
percent graduation rate and is nationally recognized as the model for 
newly formed veteran treatment courts.
  In June 2019, Colonel Reyes was invited to both the White House and 
Capitol Hill to brief policymakers on the success of the Tampa Veterans 
Treatment Court and Mentors Program and in support of Federal 
legislation to support State veteran treatment courts. This bill, the 
Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019, which I cosponsored, 
was signed into law by President Trump in August 2020.
  I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Colonel Reyes and 
everyone associated with the Tampa Veteran Treatment Court and Mentors 
Program for their work assisting our veterans and wish them many years 
of continued success.

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