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WASHINGTON—The congressional leadership has announced that veterans groups will
once again be able to address a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees. DAV National Commander
Bradley S. Barton will address a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Tuesday, February
27, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. in the Caucus Room, Room 345 of the Cannon House Office Building.
The Jan. 11 announcement
reinstates a decades-long tradition that was discontinued during the last Congress. The hearings are generally tied to the
veterans service organizations’ national meetings in Washington, D.C.
“This is welcome news for America’s
veterans,” said Bradley S. Barton, National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. “These joint hearings
are a unique opportunity for the elected leaders of veterans groups to discuss their organization’s legislative agenda
and foremost concerns with the lawmakers who have jurisdiction over federal veterans programs. Senators and Representatives
who serve on those committees also get the rare opportunity to address the hundreds of constituent members from these organizations
who make the annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill.”
“These longstanding joint hearings provide a vital forum
to review the legislative priorities of veterans and military service organizations and allow veterans to directly express
their views and interact with Congress,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
said the joint hearings help the House and Senate “work together to find solutions for our troops, veterans and their
families. For many years, this has been a vital process to address the concerns of America’s veterans, and I am extremely
pleased it will return in the 110th Congress.”
“I am very pleased that we are renewing the joint Senate
and House hearings. I look forward to meeting with my colleagues in the House once again, to hear the concerns and legislative
initiatives of our valued military and veteran constituents,” Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel
K. Akaka said.
“These forums provide veterans and military families an opportunity to voice their concerns and
provide guidance to the government for whom they fought and sacrificed so much,” said House Veterans’ Affairs
Committee Chairman Bob Filner.
“The right to fully participate in the democratic process is a cornerstone of
our nation,” said Commander Barton. “This important dialog between veterans and their elected representatives
is crucial to the democratic process and a unique opportunity for the men and women who’ve put their lives on the line
for America. Many of the veterans who take part in the hearings view it as their patriotic duty, as well as a fundamental
right.”
The 1.3 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered
by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building
better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization’s
Web site www.dav.org.
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