Today, Rep. Henry Cuellar announced that Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, will be his special guest in Donna on Monday, August 6, 2007, to meet with veterans in an effort to address some of their top concerns.

The meeting will take place at Donna High School, ½ Mile East Wood Avenue, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“This will be a historic occasion for the veterans in this area. Through meeting with veterans’ organizations of the 28th district, it is clear that better access to healthcare is their top priority,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I invited the Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman so he can hear first hand what the veterans in my district are facing. He was very gracious to accept the invitation to South Texas, and all veterans are urged to attend and participate in this very important gathering.”

The purpose of the meeting is for veterans to engage in a dialogue about critical veterans’ issues and specific problems experienced by veterans who live in South Texas. A strong advocate for veterans’ benefits, Congressman Cuellar stated that recent legislative activity by both chambers of Congress increased the Department of Veterans’ Affairs budget by $6.6 billion. This discretionary funding represents the largest annual increase to Veterans’ Affairs healthcare spending in the department’s 77-year history.

“One of our greatest responsibilities is to protect our veterans who protected our country.  It is a responsibility I take very seriously and am proud that we were able to increase this funding and help improve healthcare for our veterans,” said Congressman Cuellar. “We appreciate Chairman Filner’s taking time off from his busy schedule to meet with the veterans of South Texas and hear their concerns.”

For more information or for directions to the event, please call Froy Garza at the local McAllen office at 956-631-4826.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.
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