FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

CONTACT:
Victoria Dillon
Mark Paustenbach

Des Moines, IA (November 30, 2007) – The Biden for President campaign today announced the Regional Chairs of its Iowa Veterans for Biden committee, which will host a series of community forums on veterans issues across Iowa throughout the month of December. The Regional Chairs, which will advise Sen. Biden on areas of concern to veterans, has planned the statewide forums in order to give Iowa veterans, their families, and their communities the opportunity to influence the national dialogue on veterans issues. This Sunday, Sen. Biden will join members of Iowa Veterans for Biden for their inaugural community forum at the Beaverdale VFW Hall in Des Moines. The campaign also announced upcoming forums in Fort Dodge, Burlington, Mason City, Sioux City and Waterloo.

“I am honored to have the support of these men and women who have so nobly served our country,” said Biden.  “Together, we will ensure that veterans’ voices are heard in the living rooms of voters here in Iowa and across the country.”

The Iowa Veterans for Biden committee is comprised of veterans who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, the Cold War and World War II, Iowa state representatives and family members of fallen servicemen.

“I’m honored to serve on Senator Biden’s advisory board,” said Jeremy Reynolds of Grundy Center, an Iraq War Veteran and Regional Chair of Iowa Veterans for Biden. “Over the course of his career, he has been an outstanding voice for servicemen and women in the field and the veterans that return home. This tour will give us a chance to discuss with Iowans the issues that affect them and their families and gives us a chance to listen to their concerns and bring them to our next commander-in-chief.”

The series of forums will address America’s shared responsibility in caring for our men and women in uniform including a true reform of the Veterans Administration system, providing necessary armor and vehicles to troops in the field, Sen. Biden’s plan for Iraq and the importance of garner bi-partisan support in bring this war to a conclusion.

Sen. Biden recently unveiled his plan to keep America's promise to veterans by reforming the Veterans Administration and making it more responsive to the needs of our veterans once they return home from the battlefield as well as our veterans who have already performed their service.

“Our commitment to those who have admirably served our country must be without question,” said Senator Biden.  “Just as we must protect them and give them everything they need on the battlefield, we owe our brave soldiers the same support upon their return home.  This is our sacred obligation.”

Sen. Biden believes that all veterans must have access to health care and that the Department of Veterans Affairs has a fundamental responsibility to address their varying care needs in a timely manner. His five-point plan for VA reform aims to improve the handling of claims, eliminate restrictions on veterans’ access to health care, accommodate the long-term care needs of veterans, ensure adequate treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and improve the provision of care to all veterans.

Sen. Biden’s proposal for VA reform is attached. Details on upcoming community forums throughout Iowa are forthcoming and will also be available at www.joebiden.com/iowa.
 

IOWA VETERANS FOR BIDEN REGIONAL CHAIRS

John Whitaker
State Representative, Father of Iraq Veteran
Hillsboro
 
McKinley Bailey
State Representative, Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran
Webster City
 
Dick Taylor
State Representative, Korean War Veteran, Navy
Cedar Rapids
 
Chris Frosheiser
Son was killed in Iraq by and IED
Altoona
 
Randy Flaherty
Cold War Veteran, Navy
Mason City
 
Jeremy Reynolds
Iraq War Veteran, Iowa National Guard
Grundy Center
 
Cal Halliburton
Vietnam War Veteran, Army
Ames
 
Michael Trenary
Iraq War Veteran, Iowa National Guard
Fort Dodge
 
Fred Hunter
Korean War Veteran, Navy
Des Moines
 
Eugene Menke
WWII Veteran, Navy
Burlington
 
John Stromberg
Korean War Veteran, Air Force
Davenport
 
Emil Burke
WWII Veteran, Army Air Corps
Grinnell
 
Tim Nash
Father of Iraq War Veteran
Marion
 
Jose Cortez
Iraq War Veteran, Iowa National Guard
Council Bluffs
 
James Timmer
WWII Veteran, Marine Corps
Clinton
 

IOWA VETERANS FOR BIDEN COMMUNITY FORUMS TOUR

Monday, December 11th – Fort Dodge

Thursday, December 14th – Mason City

Tuesday, December 18th – Burlington

Thursday, December 20th – Sioux City

Friday, December 28th  – Waterloo