Veterans Day
Dear Friends,
Please join me in pausing on Nov. 11 - the 61st official Veterans Day - to recognize the sacrifices of service members who have fought on behalf of the United States of America. Our veterans deserve to be thanked, honored and supported for what they've done for us.
This week, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla unveiled a fantastic new way to both recognize veterans and promote one of our most cherished rights and responsibilities: the opportunity for all citizens to vote for representatives at all levels of government and for or against policy initiatives.
The "Honor Veterans. Vote." program allows voters to dedicate their ballot to a specific veteran or active-duty service member in their life. A voter simply provides basic information about the honoree and then receives a lapel pin or a certificate to commemorate the dedication. An email address for a living honoree can be provided so that they can be notified about how they made someone proud. Californians can submit their dedications on the Secretary of State website.
The state Legislature is doing its part to provide tangible support to military veterans. The positive impacts of Proposition 41 are starting to be seen as affordable-housing projects for veterans are beginning to be approved. In addition to that, we have:
Provided additional funding for county veterans service officers, who play critical advocacy and outreach roles, helping California veterans access the benefits they've earned. San Diego County received $238,747 in additional funding for this effort.
Pushed to create permanent state "Strike Force" teams at federal veteran claims offices. Since September 2013, the San Diego Strike Force has reviewed 14,124 veteran claims, resulting in $19.5 million in lump-sum awards and $3.1 million in monthly awards.
Helped fund the California National Guard's Work for Warriors program, which connects guard members and reservists with jobs. Between 2012 and 2015, 172 local candidates found employment.
My own family is steeped in military service, from my father and my uncles to my twin sister, my brother-in-law, and my nephew Eric, to whom I'll dedicate my election ballot through the Secretary of State's new program. He's retiring from a 20-year Army career next week. Please visit my Facebook page to see photos of the veterans in my family. I couldn't be more proud of them.
Today, I'll be participating in San Diego's annual Veterans Day Parade, which begins at 11 a.m.on Harbor Drive near the Fountain Plaza at the County Administration Building. This year's theme is the "70th Anniversary of World War II and the Greatest Generation," a tribute specifically to veterans who served in the years 1941 through 1945, including my dad and uncles.
You might not know that there are still nearly 850,000 living American veterans of World War II, out of a total of more than 16 million who served during that era. If you can, please come out to the parade and help celebrate their service.
Lastly, I want to congratulate Ed Berger, who was recently named San Diego County's Veteran of the Year. A 20-year Navy veteran, Ed will represent the roughly 240,000 veterans in our county for the next year at special events, parades and other military-related ceremonies.
However you see fit, please demonstrate your support this Veterans Day for those who have served us so selflessly.
Warmly,
Toni G. Atkins
Speaker of the Assembly
78th Assembly District
P.S. Social media is a great way to connect with my office! Use the icon below to like my page on Facebook.
Website: http://www.asmdc.org/speakerEmail: Speaker Toni G. Atkins
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, California 94249-0078 United States
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178 District Office:
1350 Front Street
Room 6054
San Diego, California 92101 United States
Tel: (619) 645-3090
Fax: (619) 645-3094
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This week, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla unveiled a fantastic new way to both recognize veterans and promote one of our most cherished rights and responsibilities: the opportunity for all citizens to vote for representatives at all levels of government and for or against policy initiatives.
The "Honor Veterans. Vote." program allows voters to dedicate their ballot to a specific veteran or active-duty service member in their life. A voter simply provides basic information about the honoree and then receives a lapel pin or a certificate to commemorate the dedication. An email address for a living honoree can be provided so that they can be notified about how they made someone proud. Californians can submit their dedications on the Secretary of State website.
The state Legislature is doing its part to provide tangible support to military veterans. The positive impacts of Proposition 41 are starting to be seen as affordable-housing projects for veterans are beginning to be approved. In addition to that, we have:
Provided additional funding for county veterans service officers, who play critical advocacy and outreach roles, helping California veterans access the benefits they've earned. San Diego County received $238,747 in additional funding for this effort.
Pushed to create permanent state "Strike Force" teams at federal veteran claims offices. Since September 2013, the San Diego Strike Force has reviewed 14,124 veteran claims, resulting in $19.5 million in lump-sum awards and $3.1 million in monthly awards.
Helped fund the California National Guard's Work for Warriors program, which connects guard members and reservists with jobs. Between 2012 and 2015, 172 local candidates found employment.
My own family is steeped in military service, from my father and my uncles to my twin sister, my brother-in-law, and my nephew Eric, to whom I'll dedicate my election ballot through the Secretary of State's new program. He's retiring from a 20-year Army career next week. Please visit my Facebook page to see photos of the veterans in my family. I couldn't be more proud of them.
Today, I'll be participating in San Diego's annual Veterans Day Parade, which begins at 11 a.m.on Harbor Drive near the Fountain Plaza at the County Administration Building. This year's theme is the "70th Anniversary of World War II and the Greatest Generation," a tribute specifically to veterans who served in the years 1941 through 1945, including my dad and uncles.
You might not know that there are still nearly 850,000 living American veterans of World War II, out of a total of more than 16 million who served during that era. If you can, please come out to the parade and help celebrate their service.
Lastly, I want to congratulate Ed Berger, who was recently named San Diego County's Veteran of the Year. A 20-year Navy veteran, Ed will represent the roughly 240,000 veterans in our county for the next year at special events, parades and other military-related ceremonies.
However you see fit, please demonstrate your support this Veterans Day for those who have served us so selflessly.
Warmly,
Toni G. Atkins
Speaker of the Assembly
78th Assembly District
P.S. Social media is a great way to connect with my office! Use the icon below to like my page on Facebook.
Website: http://www.asmdc.org/speakerEmail: Speaker Toni G. Atkins
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, California 94249-0078 United States
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178 District Office:
1350 Front Street
Room 6054
San Diego, California 92101 United States
Tel: (619) 645-3090
Fax: (619) 645-3094
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