Congressman Leonard Boswell praised Randy and Ellen Omvig this afternoon for working to protect veterans like their son Joshua, who committed suicide after suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Randy Omvig told a crowd at the Iowa Statehouse when he and his family began working with the Democratic congressman it was their hope to save just one life.

It is now 300-plus lives and counting that have been affected, said Omvig. He said components of the federal bill have rescued more than 300 soldiers and thousands have called a veterans hotline.

"The Veterans Suicide Prevention Act is where it should be out and working for our veterans," said Omvig, whose son was 22 years old when he took his own life in 2005 after returning from Iraq.

Omvig said he wasn't sure if this law could have saved his son, but added Josh would have had a better chance to survive.

Boswell, who authored the bill, said this legislation not only honors veterans for their service to their country, but gets them the necessary mental health care they may need upon returning home from their tour of duty.

"I am positive, positive, this legislation will begin to save lives," Boswell said.

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