MONROE - Rep. Steve Hilgenberg wants to do more for Wisconsin's veterans.
Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, who chairs the Assembly committee that oversees veterans affairs, visited Monroe Tuesday with Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson, D-Kaukauna.
Hilgenberg said he wants to see more research into the problem of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
"I think people need to know what it is and learn more about it," he said. "We want to explain what resources are available."
Hilgenberg said it's an illness that affects many veterans. He said many veterans are reservists who have been ordered overseas multiple times. Their frequent service in dangerous areas could result in more veterans facing stress and they try to readjust to life after the military.
He would also like to see alternative funding to help the state's veteran trust fund increase the amount of money on hand to help veterans and their families.
In addition, he would like to see more benefits added to the Wisconsin GI Bill.
The committee recently passed a bill commemorating Korean War and Vietnam War veterans.
"The Korean War is often referred to as 'the forgotten war' and the Vietnam War is still controversial," Hilg-enberg said. "We need to remember it isn't the warriors who make policy."
Hilgenberg, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2006, is now a member of the Democratic majority. He was a minority member in his first term.
There's a difference between being in the majority and being in the minority, Hilgenberg said.
"The minority party can sit back and react to things," he said, "but the majority party has to get things done. People look at you to accomplish things."
Hilgenberg said being in the Assembly reminds him of his days as a high school referee.
"Every time you blow the whistle you have someone who disagrees with you," he laughed.
Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, who chairs the Assembly committee that oversees veterans affairs, visited Monroe Tuesday with Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson, D-Kaukauna.
Hilgenberg said he wants to see more research into the problem of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
"I think people need to know what it is and learn more about it," he said. "We want to explain what resources are available."
Hilgenberg said it's an illness that affects many veterans. He said many veterans are reservists who have been ordered overseas multiple times. Their frequent service in dangerous areas could result in more veterans facing stress and they try to readjust to life after the military.
He would also like to see alternative funding to help the state's veteran trust fund increase the amount of money on hand to help veterans and their families.
In addition, he would like to see more benefits added to the Wisconsin GI Bill.
The committee recently passed a bill commemorating Korean War and Vietnam War veterans.
"The Korean War is often referred to as 'the forgotten war' and the Vietnam War is still controversial," Hilg-enberg said. "We need to remember it isn't the warriors who make policy."
Hilgenberg, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2006, is now a member of the Democratic majority. He was a minority member in his first term.
There's a difference between being in the majority and being in the minority, Hilgenberg said.
"The minority party can sit back and react to things," he said, "but the majority party has to get things done. People look at you to accomplish things."
Hilgenberg said being in the Assembly reminds him of his days as a high school referee.
"Every time you blow the whistle you have someone who disagrees with you," he laughed.