From YDA Veterans and Military Affairs Chair Cole Hickman:

This weekend at the Young Democrats of America National Conference in Nashville, TN, the Veterans and Military Affairs Caucus met to discuss the issues most important to them.

While ending the war in Iraq is extremely important to veterans and their families, there are many other issues that get less attention and are less understood. Here is an opportunity for you to make your voices heard on the challenges we face at home. In no particular order:

1. Mental health programs for veterans
2. Family counseling for families of deployed and returning service members
3. Homeless veterans
4. Diversity in the military among leadership ranks
5. Recruitment of disadvantaged people from inner city and rural areas
6. Traumatic brain injury
7. Small business programs for veterans
8. Employment discrimination among guard and reserve
9. Credit score freeze and grace period for deployed and returning troops

Each of these issues is posted individually in the Facebook group discussion board.

If there is an issue here that interests you, please post a description of the problem and, if you are aware of any, specific policies or legislation that will address the problem.

Also, if there are any specific issues not addressed here please post a response and describe the issue.

I will use this information not only to share with Young Democrat state presidents around the country and YDA leadership so they have talking points about our issues, but I will share this with legislative staff in Congress to see what bills we can support to solve these problems.

Also, if have not yet joined our Facebook group, here’s the link:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8843248894

Regards,
Cole Hickman
Chair
YDA Veterans and Military Affairs Caucus

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ABC 15 in Phoenix has a story on the 21st Century GI Bill sponsored by Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell (AZ-05) and its effect on Arizona State University students.

Young Democrats of Arizona President and YDA Veteran’s & Military Affairs Caucus Chair Sgt. Cole Hickman is featured in both the print and video coverage.

Click here to read/watch the coverage on ABC 15.

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Don’t let John McCain kill the improved G.I. Bill!

Congress is voting this weekend on the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (HR5740). This bill would dramatically improve the G.I. Bill to give real support to our veterans when they come home.  Senator McCain and the Republican Congressional leadership actually oppose this bill. Don’t let them ignore our veterans.

Call or email your member of Congress now!
Tell them to include the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 in the Emergency War Supplemental.
Democrats are fighting for veterans by giving them real support.  Here are a few words from Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) and Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) on the bill and why it is so important to our veterans.
“The current Montgomery G.I. Bill program is a benefit designed for peacetime service-not wartime service. Our men and women who have served multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq deserve an education benefit that more accurately reflects their service in a wartime force.  A comprehensive G.I. Bill will be an important investment in our economy. For every dollar that was invested in the Post-World War II G.I. Bill, seven dollars were generated. Better educated veterans also have a more positive readjustment experience and lower levels of post-traumatic stress.”

Congress is voting this weekend! Act now and support Democrats in Congress who are standing up for veterans.  The estimated $2 billion a year needed for the program equals less than one week of war in Iraq.
Call or email your member of Congress now!

Senator McCain: 202-224-2235
Senator Kyl: 202-224-4521

Or you may call 1-800-473-6711 toll free*.

Rick Renzi, CD 1: 202-225-2315, 928-708-9120

Trent Franks, CD 2: 202-225-4576, 623-776-7911

John Shadegg, CD 3: 202-225-3361, 602-263-5300

Ed Pastor, CD 4: 202-225-4065, 602-256-0551

Harry Mitchell, CD 5: 202-225-2190, 480-946-2411

Jeff Flake, CD 6: 202-225-2635, 480-833-0092

Raúl Grijalva, CD 7: 202-225-2435, 520-622-6788

Gabrielle Giffords, CD 8: 202-225-2542, 520-881-3588

Tell your member of Congress to cosponsor HR5740, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, and support it in the emergency war funding bill.  Democrats are fighting for our veterans and your call can help them too.
Yours Democratically,

Cole Hickman

President

Young Democrats of Arizona

Chair, Veterans and Military Affairs Caucus

Young Democrats of America

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