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DEMOCRATIC PRESS RELEASE

February 13, 2007

NEWS FROM.... CONGRESSMAN BOB FILNER
CHAIRMAN -- COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Room 335 Cannon HOB For more information contact:
Washington, DC 20515 Kristal DeKleer @ 202/225-9756

House Veterans' Affairs Committee Holds Stakeholders Summit to Identify Legislative Priorities

Washington, D.C. - On Monday, with both Democratic and Republican Members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in attendance, Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) led the first summit of veterans service organizations to discuss legislative priorities for the 110th Congress.

"This summit is intended to bring about productive problem solving tactics on the issues facing our nation's veterans," said Filner. "Today's roundtable discussion allowed organizations to participate in identifying proposed priorities for this session's legislative agenda."

"Our job now is to work together to respond to the issues on the table by working within the budget realities," continued Filner.

Veterans service organizations that participated in the Stakeholders Roundtable Discussion:

The American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Blinded Veterans Association, Jewish War Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, National Association of Uniformed Service, National Association for Black Veterans, and Gold Star Wives.

"I am pleased to have had the opportunity to represent veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan at this very productive roundtable discussion," said Patrick M. Campbell of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "To share a seat as equals with veterans from every generation and to have a chance to present our priorities for the 110th Congress represent the Chairman's commitment to our generation of veterans."

The series of roundtable hearings will continue throughout the 110th Congress. The issues to be addressed include reducing the backlog of veterans' disability claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs, post traumatic stress disorder, and health care services.

"I am pleased that Members of both parties were able to engage veterans' service organizations to address the needs of our veterans," stated Filner.

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Larry Scott

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