AMVETS JOINS HOUSE SPEAKER PELOSI FOR MILITARY/VETERANS’ ROUNDTABLE

AMVETS discusses 2010 legislative priorities with House leader and nation’s other top military and veterans’ advocates

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2009—Today AMVETS leaders joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for a military retiree and veterans’ issues roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill. Critical discussion topics for AMVETS Deputy National Legislative Director Christina Roof included exacerbated military mental health issues, Post-9/11 G.I. Bill implementation and equity, female veterans’ issues, and transition issues from military to civilian life—all issues outlined in the upcoming AMVETS Legislative Priorities for the 111th Congress.

“What we have seen is that many of these issues are interconnected and often stem from broader transitional difficulties among veterans,” said Roof. “When most of our veterans return from overseas or leave active duty, the infrastructure is not in place to properly assist them to succeed in the civilian sector. AMVETS has looked at each of these issues with a critical eye and come up with potential solutions, which we’re eager to share with Congressional leaders like Speaker Pelosi.”

AMVETS leaders acknowledge that transition assistance is not solely the responsibility of Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, or Congress, but rather a societal obligation that extends beyond the reach of government, into private industry and the non-profit sector.

VA and DoD made similar acknowledgements during last week’s landmark mental health summit in Washington, calling for broad solutions beyond the reach of the military and veterans’ community.

In the upcoming AMVETS Legislative Priorities for the 111th Congress, AMVETS’ legislative team has outlined each of the major issues facing veterans, past and present, the impact on the veterans’ community, and AMVETS’ proposed solutions for legislators to consider.

AMVETS Legislative Priorities will be available on the AMVETS National Web site on Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11, 2009. Advance copies have already been delivered to legislators on Capitol Hill for review.  

To learn more about today’s roundtable, visit the official blog of AMVETS and American Veteran magazine, http://americanveteranmagazine.blogspot.com.

About AMVETS:    
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.