IAVA Visits White House to Convey Frustrations to President Obama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 29, 2010

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IAVA Visits White House to Convey Frustrations to President Obama

VA Secretary Shinseki, General Jones Join Conversation

Washington, DC—Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, met with President Barack Obama, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and General James Jones in the Roosevelt Room. On behalf of thousands of IAVA members across the country, IAVA Deputy Executive Director Todd Bowers voiced concerns that leadership in Washington is failing to make progress on the most urgent issues facing new veterans.

“Today’s meeting was the beginning of a long overdue conversation between the Administration and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. This year we have heard the President talk extensively about war policy, but we have heard very little about real support for returning warriors.

The situation facing our newest veterans is urgent. The suicide rate for active duty soldiers is the highest in decades, the unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans is close to 13%, and tens of thousands of young veterans wait years for their VA disability benefits. And so far this year, Washington has failed to deliver in any of these critical areas.

To confront these challenges, leaders in Washington must do more than hold a meeting. They must put politics aside and prioritize veteran’s issues by focusing the national dialogue on our newest heroes and acting on vital initiatives. Specifically, we need the Administration to lead a bold National Suicide Awareness Campaign, while also pushing Congress to act swiftly on upgrades to the New GI Bill, disability reform, and comprehensive employment legislation.

Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are tired of waiting. If politicians want our votes in November, they need to work with us now,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff.

To arrange a interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, Deputy Executive Director Todd Bowers, or an IAVA Member Veteran, please contact Chrissy Stevens; (212) 982-9699; chrissy@iava.org.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 180,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.