(TRENTON) – Assembly Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex) attended the White House Veterans Affairs Conference with State and Local Leaders in Washington, D.C. last month to help bring attention to the needs of New Jersey’s veterans.
Tucker was invited to attend the conference by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity to build relationships between the administration, state, local, and tribal leaders who are leading efforts to better serve veterans.
“Last month, I had the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C to raise awareness about the issues affecting veterans in our state and discuss how we can better help our soldiers who are returning to civilian life,” said Tucker. “As we know, the transition from military to civilian life is not easy. Many returning soldiers struggle to reintegrate into their communities and reconnect with their families. Many have a hard time finding employment and too often face bureaucratic hurdles when applying for health care and disability benefits. I am thankful that I was able to participate in this important conversation with the White House on behalf of our New Jersey veterans, and will continue to work here at home with my colleagues in the Assembly Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee to ensure the financial and health care needs of our military men and women are met.”
The meeting was held on Nov. 29 in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Attendees included state directors of veterans affairs, county veterans leaders, tribal government officials, directors of state veterans homes, state legislators who serve on veterans affairs committees and workforce leaders who assist in helping veterans find employment after they leave military service.