Adler forms his own veterans advisory board

Published May 6th, 2008 in Press of Atlantic City
By: Staff Reports

Democratic 3rd District U.S. House of Representatives candidate John Adler announced the formation of the Veterans for Adler advisory committee that will recommend veteran-friendly legislation to the candidate.

The announcement came during a press conference Adler held at the Veterans Memorial in Mill Creek Park on Monday where he was joined by veterans and military families.

"Our brave veterans have sacrificed their careers and their lives to protect the security and freedom of our nation," Adler said in a release. "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 compared himself to U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton, R-3rd, whose seat the state senator is attempting to fill, when he said: "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."

Saxton has announced he will retire from the House when his current term expires, citing health reasons.

Adler said he will, like Saxton, make funding to the area's military bases a priority.

The Veterans for Adler committee will advise the campaign on all issues concerning veterans programs, Adler's statement said.

According to the statement, four of the issues the committee will focus on are as follows:

• Getting the Department of Veterans Affairs budget fully funded and passed on time;
• Updating and expanding the Montgomery GI Bill to increase benefits for National Guard and Reserve members;
• The creation of a standardized Transition Assistance Program to help veterans transition back into civilian life;
• The full funding of veterans programs.