Honoring a Vietnam Veteran

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D) visited his Southern Maryland district Saturday, meeting with area veterans, touting legislation that Congress has passed this year and awarding medals to a Vietnam War veteran from St. Mary's County.

Hoyer hosted a luncheon at VFW Post 8810 in Waldorf and was joined by U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. Hoyer honored Ronald Drinks of Mechanicsville with medals commemorating his service on active duty during the Vietnam War.

"Mr. Drinks served this country valiantly during a grueling military campaign in Vietnam," Hoyer said in a statement. "I am honored today to personally present him with these medals of valor, which are a tribute to his brave service to our nation."

Hoyer and Filner highlighted federal legislation that supports veterans, including an increase in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the largest health-care increase in decades.

"Already, in the first eight months of the 110th Congress, the new majority has followed through with our pledge to honor the nation's commitment to our veterans," Hoyer said in a statement. "For the first time in years, the Congress has provided the VA with the requisite funding to fulfill our nation's obligation to America's servicemen and women, their families and our veterans."

The congressman continued, "These proud men and women to which we owe so much have fulfilled their duties bravely and honorably, and they deserve nothing less than the support of a nation that recognizes the heroic deeds they have undertaken to protect and promote the freedoms all Americans enjoy."

Calling veterans "heroes," Filner said they "deserve all the care and dignity that this nation can bestow." In a statement, he said, "Members of the House have routinely come together in this Congress to send a clear message to America's servicemen and women that we recognize the sacrifices of our veterans."

Those at the luncheon received a presentation on the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress aimed at collecting oral histories, memoirs, letters, diaries, photographs and other original materials from veterans of foreign wars. Hoyer sponsored legislation to create the project.

Seeking Input on Tests

The State Board of Education will seek public comment on the Maryland High School Assessment program during a hearing in Waldorf on Tuesday.

One of five forums scheduled this month statewide, the hearing for the southern region will be at North Point High School, 2500 Davis Rd. It begins at 7 p.m., and the maximum speaking time will be three minutes. Anyone wishing to speak must sign up beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Written testimony may be submitted the evening of the hearing or by mail, to the Maryland State Board of Education, 200 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, Md. 21201; by e-mail to stateboard-hsa@msde. state. md. us; or by fax to 410-333-2275. The deadline is next Thursday.

Accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided if requested 48 hours before the hearing, as will interpreters if requested 96 hours beforehand if they are available, the board said. For special arrangements, contact Deneice Yarborough at 410-767-0469 or 410-333-3045 (TTY).