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NEWS FROM....
CONGRESSMAN BOB FILNER

CHAIRMAN-DESIGNATE
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Room 333 Cannon HOB For more information contact:
Washington, DC 20515 Geoffrey Collver @ 202/225-9756
http://veterans.house.gov/democratic/welcome.htm

FOR RELEASE: December 8, 2006


FILNER TO BE CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE


Washington, D.C. - House Democrats today voted to appoint Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA) as the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs for the 110th Congress that convenes in January.

"I am both proud and humbled by the decision of my colleagues to appoint me as the next chairman of the Committee, and I very much appreciate their support," said Filner. "I look forward to working with Republican and Democratic Members, the administration, and the veterans' community to address the challenges facing our veterans and their families," continued Filner.

Congressman Filner was elected to Congress in 1992 and has served on the House Veterans Affairs Committee since his arrival, including serving as the Acting-Ranking Democratic Member of the Committee for much of 2006.

"This Committee's work is critically important to our servicemembers, veterans and military families, and it is my goal to help make certain that Congress is responsive to their needs," said Filner. "I want to develop a strong and bi-partisan working relationship with all of my colleagues on the Committee to carry out this important responsibility," said Filner.

Filner has been a strong advocate for increased funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, including greater resources for mental health care and chronic diseases research.

"Among the issues I want to address on the Committee in the 110th Congress are ensuring timely and adequate funding for the VA, effectively addressing the mental health and transition concerns of our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, improving Department of Defense and VA collaboration, and updating the Montgomery GI Bill," said Filner.

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Larry Scott