Congressman Al Green Has Full Day of Veterans-Related Events

• Congressman Al Green Gives Keynote Speech at American Legion’s 95^th Convention, Meets with Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs Eric Shinseki and Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Jeff Miller.

(Houston, TX)—On August 28, 2013, Congressman Al Green gave a keynote speech for the American Legion’s 95^th Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. The convention consisted of, among other things: a hiring fair for veterans, a women’s small business development workshop, an employment transition workshop, an empowerment conference, luncheons, and a banquet. 

Congressman Al Green, in his speech, addressed issues important to veterans, including some of the legislation he is sponsoring in the 113th Congress to assist veterans. Two such pieces of legislation include the Homes for Heroes Act of 2013 and the HAVEN Act 2013.

The Homes for Heroes Act would establish grant awards for accommodating the functional limitations that result from having a disability. Accommodations would include: installing wheelchair ramps as well as widening exterior and interior doors. The grants would greatly assist veterans, as nonprofit housing organizations are able to leverage more than $3 for every $1 in federal funding received. The HAVEN Act aims to help prevent low-income veteran families from falling into homelessness. The bill would establish a Special Assistant, who would coordinate all the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) programs and activities relating to veterans as well as serve as a HUD liaison with the VA.

“I care passionately about veterans having all the resources a grateful nation can provide them to maintain their productiveness and role in society,” Congressman Al Green said. “Legislation to support our brave veterans transcends partisanship as well as ideology in Congress and should remain one of the top priorities for a government that asks so much of them.”

He also addressed current events relevant to veterans, including the Fort Hood shooting and the subsequent trial of the shooter as well as the beating death of World War II veteran, Delbert Belton in Spokane, Washington.

“These tragedies have shocked the consciences of all people of good will, Congressman Al Green said. “For our brave veterans and troops to be so senselessly targeted after being willing to risk their lives to protect our freedoms is outrageous and those responsible must be justly prosecuted.”

Congressman Al Green’s full-day of veterans-related events also included a meeting with Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs Eric Shinseki and a briefing with Congressman Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

“I recognize the sacrifices our veterans have made as they serve the world over, often on missions of extended deployment, Congressman Al Green said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Shinseki, Chairman Miller, and my other colleagues in Congress to ensure that veterans as well as their families have access to the support they have earned.”