FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more Information: Nellie deVries (541) 601-7272
Salem, Oregon—The Oregon War Veterans Association today announced a broad legislative agenda for 2009. Greg Warnock, executive director of the association, says he is “looking forward to bipartisan support from the Legislative Assembly on a number of key issues that impact the lives of Oregon’s veterans.”
Among the association’s goals are to:
• Provide needed aid to our troops and their families during this ongoing economic downturn;
• Protect tax exemptions for military pay;
• Improve veterans’ access to and utilization of higher education in Oregon;
• Increase veterans’ access to long-term care;
• Increase the funding of and expand accessibility to the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge Program to help save at-risk teens from drugs and crime;
• Promote health care provider participation in the TRICARE system; and,
• Protect the right of active duty and honorably discharged veterans to keep and bear arms, even as new anti-gun legislation circulates our nation’s capitol;
Warnock stressed that, while the state considers budget cuts across all departments, veterans’ services are more vital today than ever before. “We must not forget that tough economic times hit veterans even harder,” Warnock said. “Our troops do the hardest job imaginable in far-off lands, while facing an ever growing struggle to make ends meet at home. Many have been called to active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, sacrificing their careers to serve their country, even as their family members are losing jobs right here in Oregon. Now is the time for Oregon to do more, not less.”
“Oregon War Veterans Association is heading in the right direction,” said Senator Brian Boquist (R-Dallas). “I’m confident that they will receive bipartisan support from the legislature on these issues.”
###
Recent Comments