VFW NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA
CHAIRPERSON: KAREN NIGARA
26 September 2013
Meetings:
VFW National Legislative Committee Meeting:
Florida National Legislative Committee members Karen Nigara, Mike White and Bob Shepherd attended the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Legislative Meeting in Washington D.C. Sep 16-19. Committee members visited with the following legislators to discuss the VFW 2013 Legislative priorities and concerns.
Senator Marco Rubio
Met with Legislative Assistant J.R. Sanchez
Congressman Jeff Miller
Chairman, Veterans Affairs Committee
Met with Jon Clark, Veterans’ Affairs Committee Professional Staff Member and Gilbert Nelson, Military Legislative Assistant
Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Vice Chairman, Veterans Affairs Committee
Met with Congressman Bilirakis and Miriam Kleim, Military Legislative Assistant
Congresswoman Corrine Brown
Member, Veterans Affairs Committee
Met with Lee Footer, Legislative Assistant
Congressman Ron DeSantis
Met with Legislative Assistant Zach Howell
Congressman John Mica
Met with Legislative Assistant Casey Brinck, Army Veteran and VFW eligible.
Provided him with an application. Follow up e-mail regarding VFW membership
sent 9-21.
VFW NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA
CHAIRPERSON: KAREN NIGARA
26 September 2013
Congressman Rich Nugent
Member, Armed Services Committee
Met with Military Legislative Assistant Barry Smith
Congressman Bill Young
Met with Defense Appropriations Staff Member Kent Clark
Congressman Alcee Hastings
Met with Legislative Assistant David Opong-Wadee
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Met with Legislative Assistant Nathan Gately
Discussed the Congresswoman’s husband, Dexter Lehtinen, a Vietnam Veteran and VFW eligible. Provided LA Gately a VFW application.
Also discussed the VFW’s relationship with the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and the current issue of missing names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
2013 Legislative Priority Brochures and Business Cards left at the following offices:
Cong Steve Southerland
Cong Ted Yoho
Cong Ander Crenshaw
Cong Bill Posey
Cong Alan Grayson (Note: We saw the Congressman in the hallway and introduced ourselves)
Cong Daniel Webster
Cong Bill Young
Cong Kathy Castor
Cong Dennis Ross
Cong Vern Buchannan
Cong Tom Rooney
Cong Patrick Murphy
Cong Trey Radel
Cong Ted Deutch
Cong Lois Frankel
VFW NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA
CHAIRPERSON: KAREN NIGARA
26 September 2013
2013 Legislative Priority Brochures and Business Cards left at the following offices (continued):
Cong Wasserman-Schultz
Cong Frederica Wilson
Cong Mario Diaz-Balart
Cong Joe Garcia
Discussed Women Veterans and Veterans employment issues with Teresa Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Policy), U.S. Department of Labor, at the VFW Legislative reception. I served with her at the Pentagon while in the Army.
Florida Senate Hearing:
Florida Department Legislative Committee Chairman Mark Alvarez attended the 24 September Florida Senate hearing on Senate Bill 84: Resident Status for Tuition Purposes. The Bill provides for in-state tuition in the State University system for Veterans. Chairman Alvarez who is also the VFW District Two Commander spoke on behalf of the bill. The bill passed the Florida Senate.
Communications:
Sent follow up e-mails and thank you notes to all Florida Representatives and
both Senators. Included a copy of the 2013 Legislative Priorities and
emphasized the availability of VFW members in Florida for Town Hall
Meetings and advocacy.
Sent follow up e-mails to the Florida offices of all Florida Representatives and both Senators. Included the 2013 VFW Priorities.
VFW NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA
CHAIRPERSON: KAREN NIGARA
26 September 2013
In response to a request during the VFW Legislative Committee meeting provided Jon Clark, Professional Staff Member, Committee on Veterans Affairs, a list of all Veterans organizations including VFW Posts and Post Commanders’ names in Volusia County Florida. Followed up via e-mail and asked if there was anything further he needed.
Forwarded Legislative Action Alert, Subject: Congress Must Pass a Budget, to all Florida District Commanders.
Signed up for electronic notification of County Veterans Advisory Council Meetings for all counties in the state of Florida. Two County Advisory Council meeting notices were received and provided to the appropriate District Commanders for action / attendance.
Preparing for presentations at the VFW Department of Florida Fall Conference, October 25-27 and the Southern Conference, Oct 31 – Nov 2.
KAREN NIGARA
LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN
DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA
1