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I'm writing because I am deeply grateful for Congressman Jeff Miller's leadership on veterans issues in general, but in particular this week with a measure in Congress that will continue a critically important veterans' health program, the treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (GWIRP). Gulf War Illness, previously known as Gulf War Syndrome, has been estimated by the Institute of Medicine — essentially the high court of medical science — to affect roughly one in three of us veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.
Here in Florida, with one of the largest veterans populations in the nation, the impact is significant. Perhaps that's why much of the GWIRP-funded research is taking place right here in Florida, including at the University of Florida, at the Roskamp Institute in Sarasota, at the Miami VA Medical Center, and at a consortia being led at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, one of just two in the nation.
GWIRP-funded studies are helping unravel the so-called mysteries of Gulf War Illness and are working towards effective GWI treatments, which are believed to be within scientific reach. To date, research funded under the program has found CoQ10 and acupuncture effective in relieving some GWI symptoms, evidence of a chronic GWI inflammatory state, confirmation of neurological damage and brain neurochemistry changes following low-level nerve agent exposure, a potential explanation of GWI immunological dysfunction, immune dysfunction in GWI after exercise challenge, GWI gender differences, evidence suggesting small fiber peripheral neuropathy, lipid dysfunction following GWI exposures, and other findings important in aiding veterans with GWI.
I'm a 1991 Gulf War veteran who has been among a handful of national leaders on these issues for most of the last two decades. I'm also pleased to be a new resident to Florida. Last March, when I was asked to testify before Congress on these issues yet again, I had the privilege of talking with Rep. Miller, who immediately agreed to cosign the funding measure, did so again this year on short notice, and is currently considering a critically important bill pending in his committee to restore GWI research independence that has made national news (HR 4261).
I have long believed that veterans' issues should and must remain bipartisan. I'm pleased Rep. Miller and his staff have demonstrated strong bipartisan leadership for us Gulf War veterans (and, frankly, all generations of veterans), for which I am deeply grateful.

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SOURCE:  Jacksonville Florida Times-Union, Apr. 4, 2014
http://members.jacksonville.com/opinion/letters-readers/2014-04-04/story/sundays-letters-corrine-brown-thanked-veterans-support

Sunday's Letters: Corrine Brown thanked for veterans' support
GULF WAR ILLNESS

Thanks to Corrine Brown

I want to thank U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown for cosigning this year’s congressional request for continuation of a critically important veterans health program, the treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.

These studies have found CoQ10 supplements and acupuncture effective in relieving some Gulf War symptoms.

Some of this research is taking place in Florida at places like the University of Florida, the Roskamp Institute in Sarasota, the Miami VA Medical Center and at a consortia being led at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, one of just two in the nation.

I’m a 1991 Gulf War veteran who has been among a handful of national leaders on these issues.

I’m also pleased to be a new resident to Florida.

Last March, when I was asked to testify before Congress on these issues again, Brown cosigned the funding measure, did so again this year on short notice and is currently considering cosigning a critically important bill to restore Gulf War Illness research independence that has made national news (HR 4261).

I have long believed that veterans’ issues must remain bipartisan.

I’m pleased and grateful that Brown and her staff have demonstrated strong bipartisan support for Gulf War veterans.

Anthony Hardie, Bradenton

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