STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SEVENTH SESSION
VETERANS SERVICES DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Bruce Anderson, Chair of the Veterans Services Division Committee, called the Joint Hearing with the Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans meeting to order at 10:04 am on Monday December 19, 2011, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
ANDERSON, Bruce, Chair
KRIESEL, John, Vice Chair
DETTMER, Bob
FALK, Andrew
KOENEN, Lyle
LEMIEUR, Mike
LOHMER, Kathy
O'DRISCOLL, Tim
PERSELL, John
Senators present:
PARRY, Mike, Chair
CARLSON, John
DALEY, Theodore J. "Ted"
GOODWIN, Barb
ORTMAN, Julianne E.
WIGER, Charles W.
Members were excused:
ANZELC, Tom
DAVIDS, Greg
KAHN, Phyllis
KATH, Kory
Representative O’Driscoll moved approval of the minutes of April 4, 2011. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.
Sen. Parry made some opening remarks and called for a prayer by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Morris.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Morris lead the committee in a prayer.
Review of suicide rates in Minnesota National Guard CORE program.
Testifying:
Major General Richard Nash, Adjutant General, Minnesota National Guard
A quorum was present was present at 10:14 am.
Major General, Richard Nash stood for questions.
Testifying:
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Morris, Minnesota National Guard
Testifying:
Reggie Worlds, Deputy Commissioner Programs and Services, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Debra Martin-Schloer, Clinical Director, Metro Counseling and Family Resources, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Both Reggie Worlds and Debra Martin-Schloer stood for questions.
Testifying via Skype:
Gregory Roberts, Former Staff Sergeant, Minnesota National Guard
Gregory Roberts Stood for questions.
Testifying:
John Baker, Chair of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Veterans Court
Testifying:
Mary Clare Lindberg, Mother of Army Sgt. Ben Miller
Testifying:
Shelly Martin, Friend of Maj. Tad Hervas
Review of special audit of Minneapolis Veterans Home.
Testifying:
James Nobles, Legislative Auditor
Cecile Ferkul, Deputy Legislative Auditor, Financial Audit Division
James Nobles and Cecile Ferkul stood for questions.
Testifying:
Pam Barrows, Interim Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Health, Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs
Dave Salchow, Internal Auditor, Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs
Pam Barrows and Dave Salchow stood for questions.
Testifying:
Larry Shellito, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs
Larry Shellito stood for questions.
Testifying:
Charles Makidon, Disabled American Veteran St. Paul, Chapter 2 Commander 04-05
The meeting was adjourned at 1:12 pm.
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REP. BRUCE ANDERSON, CHAIR
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Brian Theis
Committee Legislative Assistant