[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18339]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING VOLUNTEERS FROM OREGON VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 9, 2013

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to convey my deepest 
appreciation to the team members of both the Klamath County and the 
Marion County Veterans Treatment Courts on visiting the Nation's 
capital this week. These Oregonians are here to attend the inaugural 
``Vet Con,'' or Veterans Treatment Court Conference, the first ever 
gathering of veterans court team members from across the Nation. The 
conference is being put on by Justice for Vets, a professional service 
division of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, with 
the goal of providing in-depth training to the nearly 200 veterans 
treatment courts across the Nation.
  Key to the operation of a veterans treatment court is the 
collaborative partnership of the judicial system, the U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs, the county Veterans Service Office, veterans 
service organizations, community agencies and volunteers. These 
community members partner in a treatment team which convenes before 
each court session to review cases and develop problem solving 
recommendations. This coordinated response addresses an array of issues 
from community protection and restitution to offender rehabilitation. 
Weekly court appearances afford close judicial supervision of the 
veteran defendant's progress. The court hands out encouragement and 
sanctions as warranted.
  I have had the honor of working with the Klamath County Veterans 
Treatment Court since it was started by Judge Marci Atkinson in 
November 2010. The development of the Klamath County Veterans Treatment 
Court began with discussions between Klamath County District Attorney 
Ed Caleb and Klamath County Veterans Service Officer Kathy Pierce. They 
formed an exceptional team to attend one of the first veterans court 
training seminars. Since then, Judge Atkinson and her team have built a 
very effective court utilizing best treatment practices to address the 
needs of veteran defendants in the criminal justice system.
  Only two members of the Klamath County Veterans Treatment Court were 
able to attend this week's ``Vet Con'' conference. Kathy Pierce, as I 
mentioned before, is the Klamath County Veterans Service Officer. Kathy 
has been such an important part of ensuring that veterans in Klamath 
County are linked up with the benefits they have earned. Kathy works 
very closely with my office to help veterans resolve issues with their 
claims and appeals.
  Steve Tillson serves as the Klamath County Veterans Treatment Court 
Coordinator. Steve has a great deal of responsibility in keeping the 
court well run and organized.
  Steve is here this week not only for the training, but is serving as 
a trainer for other coordinators. We are proud of the work that Steve 
and Kathy have accomplished over the last four years and we are 
grateful for their commitment to excellence demonstrated by their 
attendance at this week's Vet Con.
  Kathy and Steve are both tireless advocates for those who have worn 
the Nation's uniform.
  I am very grateful and proud to be associated with the patriots in 
Klamath and Marion County circuit courts who have established veterans 
treatment programs of such high quality. Judge Vance Day told me 
recently that ``our soldiers are victors, not victims. They fought and 
bled for the liberties we enjoy. It is our task to fight for their 
freedom now--freedom from mental and physical pain, freedom to return 
home healthy, freedom to enjoy the legacy of their sacrifice.'' Mr. 
Speaker, I could not agree more.

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