April 21, 2009
Washington, D.C.:
The first session of the 111th Congress passed another piece of legislation successfully sponsored and “mentored” by Veterans and Military Families for Progress (VMFP), a non-profit national membership organization advocating on behalf of Veterans, those serving, and their families.
To ensure passage of this legislation, VMFP’s President Matt Cary, and members of the Capital Region Chapter of VMFP attended countless meetings of the House and Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, other committee meetings, and called on lawmakers to consider veterans and military families are an important 21st Century voice in Congress.
Public Law No. 111-013 The Veterans Engaged for Tomorrow (VET) Corps Act was coauthored by Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD). It establishes a service corps, similar to AmeriCorps or Senior Corps, for veterans by veterans.
“America’s veterans are the living embodiment of President Obama’s call to service,” VMFP-endorsed legislator Phil Hare said. “With thousands of troops set to return home over the next several years and millions of veterans already needing some form of assistance, Vet Corps will provide a vehicle for our heroes to continue their service while addressing a critical national priority.”
“It is likely this law will become an important part of history,” Cary said, noting that the legislation lays the groundwork for a far-reaching organization similar to the Peace Corps that harnesses the voluntary participation of veterans to provide beneficial improvements to the veteran and military family community.
VMFP’s mission is to ensure that the rights and needs of veterans, active-duty service members and their families are understood by the American public, endorsed by our elected officials, and protected by legislation, regulation, and public policy initiatives. Members across the country fulfill it in part by actively lobbying Congress as illustrated by Cary, the Capital Region Chapter, and by members in other state and regional chapters throughout the country who write and call on their Representatives and Senators, to ensure their voices are heard.
Veterans and Military Families for Progress is a 501(c)(4) organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. and recognized as a Veterans Service Organization by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is made up of members from across the country, and from across the breadth of rank and military services, who served, are serving, or are members of families of those who have heeded the call to serve their country in the U.S. military.
