Rep. Pallone Hosts Roundtable with Area Active Service Members and Reservists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, August 29, 2012

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today met with active service members and reservists for a roundtable discussion on issues important to servicemen and women. He reaffirmed his support for the nation’s more than 2 million troops and reservists, 23 million veterans and their families while stressing that more must be done to ensure America’s service members and veterans receive the healthcare and benefits they need. The roundtable was convened by Sgt. John Irwin, who is working in Congressman Pallone’s district office as part of the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program.

From 2007-2010 the Democratic-controlled Congress made historic progress for veterans, including enacting the Post-9/11 GI bill and strengthening health care services by providing more resources to VA clinics and hospitals. The Post-9/11 GI bill restored the promise of a full, four-year college education to veterans, and has already allowed over 600,000 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars to afford college.

“Our troops make patriotic sacrifices on behalf of our country, and it is our responsibility to provide service members and veterans with the benefits they have earned and resources they need when they return home,” said Pallone. “I am always grateful for the opportunity to meet with New Jersey’s active duty service members, reservists and veterans to learn how I can better serve them in Congress and address their concerns.”

Congressman Pallone discussed the pressing need to address the nearly 12 percent unemployment rate for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Last fall, Congress passed the VOW to Hire Heroes Act to expand job opportunities for veterans through tax credits for businesses that hire service members.

“With one-in-five returning veterans between the ages of 18 and 24 looking for work, we have to fulfill our obligations to our veterans and do more to make sure they have the necessary tools to navigate this difficult labor market and succeed in the civilian workforce,” said Pallone.