NEW YORK – Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, released the following advisory in advance of its annual Storm the Hill trip in Washington, D.C. from March 28th – April 1st. 

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING

IAVA is hosting an open press briefing for Congressional staff members.  The briefing will discuss what IAVA and leaders in the private and public sectors are doing to lower the alarming levels of veteran unemployment (12.5%).  Leaders from Microsoft and Deutsche Bank, as well as Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), author of one of the key jobs bills, are confirmed to participate in the event moderated by IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff.

What: Congressional Briefing on the need for public and private sector attention to the nation’s jobs crisis for new veterans 

Who: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Senator Max Baucus, Microsoft, Deutsche Bank. Additional participants to be announced.


When: Monday, March 28th 


Time: 12:30-1:30PM


Location: Capitol Hill Visitors Center, SVC 201-00

Press RSVP is required. Please email isabel@iava.org if you plan to attend.

STORM THE HILL 2011
 

Throughout Storm the Hill 2011, IAVA Member Veterans will meet with dozens of members of Congress as well as representatives from the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and the White House. The veterans will bring diverse military service and personal experiences, and will offer lawmakers a unique understanding of the issues facing their peers in the veteran community. As they walk the halls of Congress, they will share stories and distinct perspectives on how the economic crisis is impacting their generation of veterans. Through StormtheHill.org, Americans across the country can follow live updates of the week on Capitol Hill.  To learn about Storm the Hill 2011 and the participating veterans, visit StormtheHill.org.

A number of events are open to the press during the Storm the Hill week. To see the complete list, click here.

BACKGROUND

In previous years, Storm the Hill has spurred tremendous change and progress for veterans. In 2008, IAVA campaigned for the historic Post-9/11 GI Bill, the largest investment in veterans’ educations since World War II, to ensure new veterans have access to the educational benefits they have earned. Less than five months after the campaign, the New GI Bill was signed into law giving thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans the opportunity to attend college. In 2009, IAVA campaigned for Advance Appropriations for the VA to provide timely, predictable funding for veterans’ health care. At a press conference on the final day of the campaign, the House and Senate joined IAVA to introduce bipartisan legislation calling for advance appropriations. Eight months later, President Obama signed the bill into law at the White House with IAVA Member Veterans looking on. In 2010, despite a difficult political climate, IAVA leveraged Storm the Hill to push for VA disability reform, an issue we made great progress on and continue to fight for this year. 

To arrange an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or any of the veterans coming to Capitol Hill, please contact Isabel Black, 212-982-9699, isabel@iava.org.
 



Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 200,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.