Adler to Champion Veterans Rights

For Immediate Release: May 5th, 2008
Contact: Raiyan Syed (856) 366-7505

(Willingboro, NJ) – Democratic congressional candidate John Adler today announced the formation of the 'Veterans for Adler' advisory committee, saying he can think of no better way to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans than to fight for programs in Washington that benefit them. Standing with veterans and military families at the Veterans Memorial in Mill Creek Park, Adler said the committee will keep him informed on veterans' concerns and recommend legislation that would benefit our war heroes and their families.

"Our brave veterans have sacrificed their careers and their lives to protect the security and freedom of our nation," Adler said.

"We owe them more than the lip service they so often get out of Washington. They deserve no less than our full support for their financial, medical and many other needs here at home." Adler, a state senator from Cherry Hill, is seeking the 3rd District congressional seat that covers Burlington, Ocean and parts of Camden Counties.

"Like Congressman Saxton, I will continue to be a strong advocate for our veterans and their families by making sure they have access to affordable health care coverage, tuition assistance, adequate housing, home health care, disability funding and programs vital to the well being of our veteran population," Adler said.

"There will be no stronger advocate for veterans than John Adler in Congress," said Tom Farrell, Commander of a local VFW . "He cares deeply about our issues and feels passionately about honoring the sacrifices that our veterans have made. I know that John will fight to fully fund the VA and make sure that our needs are met."

Assemblyman Jack Conners, the Chairman of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and recipient of the VFW's "Legislator of the Year" award, said he believes Adler will be an outstanding advocate for veterans because of his work on behalf of veterans in the state Senate.

"John Adler has been a champion for veterans' issues in the state Senate, and if elected to Congress he will continue to be a strong voice for our men and women in uniform," Conners said. "John understands the challenges that our vets face today and he has worked with leaders in the veterans' community to help tackle those issues."

Adler said that keeping military bases open and safe will be one of his legislative priorities as a congressman. "I will work on a bi-partisan basis to ensure that Fort Dix, McGuire Air Force base and Lakehurst Navy bases are kept safe and are successfully transformed into a mega base that generates jobs and opportunities for our region," Adler said. "Serving the interests of our service men and women will be at the top of my legislative agenda."

The 'Veterans for Adler' committee will advise the campaign, provide assistance on legislative matters, and keep the campaign informed on all issues concerning veterans programs.

Among the issues at the top of Adler's veterans agenda in Congress are:

• Fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget; and make sure that its passed on time. "We must fully fund the Veterans Health Care Administration in order to meet the growing challenges faced by our veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We must deal with a backlog of more than 890,000 claims for pension, compensation and education, as well as claims on appeal. We must also provide our veterans with the necessary health care for their physical and mental needs."

• A 21st Century GI Bill. "Our country must continue its long tradition of providing educational assistance and benefits to our veterans. At a time when our brave men and women in uniform are making so many sacrifices for our country, it is imperative that we update and expand the Montgomery GI Bill to increase benefits for National Guard and Reserve members."
• Transition Assistance Program (TAP). TAP plays an important role in helping veterans transition into civilian life. "I support measures to create a standardized, comprehensive TAP program under the supervision of the Department of Labor. We must ensure that our National Guard and Reserve members are given adequate time, information and TAP briefings."
• Homeless Veterans. "We must fully fund homeless veterans programs to help the estimated 200,000 homeless veterans find adequate housing.

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Steering committee members:

• Brigadier General Preston Taylor, Retired
• R. Louis Gallagher, Master Chief (SEAL) USN, Retired
• Rudy Gray, Chief Master Sgt., Retired
• Colonel G. Bruce Eveland, United States Army, Retired
• Rich Sexton, Lt. Commander, Navy, Retired
• K. Welsh, 1st Sgt. USMC, Retired
• Charlie Shakespeare, 1st Lt. Air Force, Retired
• Arthur Seltzer, WWII Veteran
• Bernard P. Epworth, Korean War Veteran
• William F. Mead, Vietnam combat veteran and former Sergeant United States Marine Corps
• Tom Farrell, Commander of a local VFW (personal endorsement)
• Frederick Hayes, Incoming Commander of a local VFW
• Robert Richter, Veteran of the Korean War Era
• Richard Locklear, Navy Veteran, Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Cheryl Betten, Wife and mother NJ National Guard soldiers, also works with SupportOurTroopEffort.com
• Heather Altman, MA - Clinical therapist specializing in working with military families and veterans, also works with
  SupportOurTroopEffort.com