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Bill O Boyle: Keller's bipartisan legislation would expedite veterans' records backlog

Times Leader - 4/9/2022

Apr. 9--WILKES-BARRE -- U.S. Rep. Fred Keller this week said America's veterans served our nation honorably, defending our freedoms and way of life.

Keller, R-Middleburg, said the least our government can do to repay these heroes is ensure they are not subjected to bureaucratic red tape upon returning home from their service.

"However, that is exactly what has happened to hundreds of thousands of veterans who have waited in limbo for months and years to receive basic veterans records," Keller said.

Keller explained that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Personnel Records Center was forced to scale down its operations to 25% capacity. Due to its reduced operations, the NPRC has amassed a records backlog of at least 500,000 requests.

Keller said these service records are vital for accessing medical benefits, filing disability claims, and requesting regalia or commendation such as a Purple Heart. Our office has dealt with countless cases of veterans and their families not being attended to in a timely fashion.

"This is not only problematic, it is unacceptable," Keller said. "We must work to resolve this issue as quickly as possible."

Keller said H.R. 7337 -- the Access to Veterans Records Act -- proves that this committee can work together in a bipartisan way to ensure that we pass bills that are necessary for the American people, particularly our veterans.

In short, Keller said this bill will ensure that the backlog of over half a million record requests will be resolved while also modernizing the National Personnel Record Center to ensure that a backlog of veteran requests will never happen again.

Keller said the backlog of record requests at the NPRC began during the pandemic and was exasperated by poor return to work policies.

At its height, the backlog numbered over 600,000 requests.

"I would like to thank the chairwoman for agreeing to a number of our revisions to her original bill that will ensure the backlog is relieved, many of which came from my legislation, H.R. 3710, the RECORDS Act, which has gained 75 cosponsors in the House," Keller said.

Keller said the most important of these revisions is the requirement for the NPRC to maintain in-person staffing levels in order to resolve the backlog.

"We need all 661 NPRC staff regularly reporting to work in person if we are going to solve this problem," Keller said.

Because most of these records are not yet digitally preserved, Keller said NPRC employees must be in the office to fulfill records requests. The national archives and records administration said at the beginning of this month that in order to effectively address the backlog, they need to be responding to 90% of requests within 20 days.

Keller said this bill ensures that employees go to work and satisfy the needs of our veterans.

"This bill is an opportunity for the committee to come together and ensure that our veterans receive the care and service they deserve," Keller said. "I urge my colleagues to support this bill."

DMVA thanks volunteers

at its six veterans homes

During National Volunteer Month in April, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants to thank the hundreds of people who selflessly volunteer their time and talents assisting staff and residents in our six veterans homes.

"We are grateful and thankful for every hour our volunteers spend caring for the residents in our veterans homes," said Brig. Gen. (PA) Maureen Weigl, DMVA deputy adjutant general for Veterans Affairs. "We value the sacrifices our residents have made in defense of our nation, and we equally value the volunteers who bring added joy, lend a helping hand and give a friendly smile to our residents every day. Our homes would not run as efficiently without the assistance of our dedicated volunteers."

Volunteers provide crucial assistance to the staff at the homes, including transporting residents to events, helping during mealtime, participating in fun activities, staffing the snack stand, and escorting them on field trips.

Throughout the month, each home will recognize volunteers with events, including banquets, appreciation luncheons and pinning ceremonies. Weigl and other DMVA senior leaders will be attending the events to personally recognize volunteers for their valued service caring for residents at the six homes.

In 1974, President Richard Nixon, through an executive order, established the National Volunteer Week to celebrate and recognize the efforts of all individuals who volunteer.

Department of State reminds Pennsylvanians to register to vote

Acting Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman this week reminded Pennsylvanians that the deadline to register to vote in the May 17 primary is four weeks away.

"I urge every eligible Pennsylvanian who is not registered to vote to take a few minutes to register online before the May 2 deadline," Secretary Chapman said. "Exercise your fundamental right to vote and let your voice be heard in our next election."

Pennsylvanians who are already registered to vote can check their registration status online and update their voter record with any name, address, or party affiliation changes.

To be eligible to vote in the May 17 primary, an individual must be:

--A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the primary.

--A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which the individual plans to register and vote for at least 30 days before the primary.

--At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary.

Because Pennsylvania has a closed primary, only voters registered as Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party's nominees to run in the November 8, 2022, general election.

Eligible voters will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for their parties' nominees for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, governor, lieutenant governor, all state house seats, state senate seats in even-numbered districts, and Democratic and Republican State Committee. The department's candidate database lists candidates who are running for office.

Regardless of party affiliation, all registered voters can vote on any local ballot questions that may be on the ballot.

Registered voters can request a mail-in or absentee ballot online. Mail-in or absentee ballot applications must be received by a voter's county election board by 5 p.m.May 10. Voted mail ballots must be received by county election offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.

Yudichak looks to protect identity of lottery winners

In his role as Chairman of the Senate Community Economic and Recreational Development Committee, Sen. John Yudichak, I-Swoyersville, this week said it has come to his attention that the identities and other personal information of Pennsylvania Lottery prizewinners is currently designated as public information under Pennsylvania's Open Records law.

"While recognizing the importance of transparency in Pennsylvania Lottery operations, I believe it is equally as important to protect our lottery winners' privacy and protect them from criminals and scam artists who prey upon big jackpot winners," said Yudichak, I-Swoyersville.

Yudichak said he intends to introduce legislation that will allow a prizewinner to choose whether to disclose their name and other identifying information. Under this bill, the city and county of residence of a prize winner would remain public information, but the prizewinner would be given a choice to either disclose or keep their name and other identifying information confidential.

Garrity calls for policies to promote energy independence

Treasurer Stacy Garrity joined other state financial officers from across the country in calling on the Biden Administration to implement policies to better promote and support American energy production and achieve energy independence.

"America has abundant natural resources right under our own feet," Garrity said. "The Biden Administration should be doing all it can to support efforts to harness these materials to achieve energy independence, instead of backing policies that make us more dependent on other nations. Investing in our own reliable energy sources is an investment in American families, and imperative to our national security."

In a letter to President Biden, Garrity and counterparts from 22 other states detailed their concerns regarding energy policies implemented during the last year that damaged American energy production, and the negative impact on businesses and working-class families.

The letter said in part, "The depth and breadth of American innovation is unparalleled globally, including the development of green technologies. Policies that hamper these key American energy industries threaten our national security and drive up the cost of energy and, by extension, other goods and services, hurting the poorest Americans most."

Garrity added, "The current economic climate, amplified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, requires immediate action at the national level. Hardworking families everywhere are paying more to keep food on the table and paying too much at the gas pumps. Our current federal policies are making the problem even worse."

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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