Mar 03, 2008
WASHINGTON — The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee led by Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), held a joint hearing to receive the legislative presentation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
More than a thousand war veterans visited the halls of Congress following the testimony to lobby their elected officials on issues important to the nation’s 24 million veterans, 2.2 million servicemembers, and their families.
“We are not here to be ignored or appeased with vague promises,” said George Lisicki, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., the oldest major veterans’ organization in the nation, and its largest organization of combat veterans. [Read testimony] Video links are listed below
“We are here to make sure that Congress fully understands that 'veterans matter,'" he said, "and if Congress can’t afford to take care of veterans, then Congress should quit making them.”
Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J., was joined in Washington by 1,200 VFW and Auxiliary leaders from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Europe, Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Lisicki, testified that “We sincerely appreciate the great strides that Congress has made in the last few years in increasing funding, but we must continue to urge for more. VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] funding simply must keep pace with the growing demand for care.”
“The information provided by the VFW is important as the Committee analyzes the budget and addresses the pressing needs of veterans,” said Chairman Filner. “As we fund the war, we must also fund the warrior. We must provide the necessary funding to pay for the health care services and benefits for our brave men and women who have answered the call of their country. Ensuring veterans are provided promised benefits and services are issues that we as a Congress must continue to take seriously.”
Lisicki testified that “We sincerely appreciate the great strides that Congress has made in the last few years in increasing funding, but we must continue to urge for more. VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] funding simply must keep pace with the growing demand for care.”
The House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees have scheduled future joint hearings to receive legislative presentations from Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Blinded Veterans Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, and American Ex-POWs.
To view VFW testimony click on the subject links below:
Support the Troops
VA Healthcare
VA Disabililty
GI Bill