Klobuchar Speaks to Veterans at American Legion National Convention

Press Release

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today spoke to veterans at the American Legion 93rd Annual National Convention in Minneapolis, MN. During her speech, Klobuchar highlighted the Minnesota National Guard's contributions overseas and discussed her efforts to help lower unemployment rates in the veteran community and assist homeless veterans, especially those in rural areas. An estimated 5,000 veterans, families and friends from across the nation are attending the American Legion convention in Minneapolis.

"When we send our young men and women in the Armed Forces overseas, we make a promise to take care of them when they come back," Klobuchar said."When they signed up to serve and fight for our country there wasn't a waiting line, and when they come home and need health care, or an education, or a job, or a home, there shouldn't be a waiting line in the United States of America."

Klobuchar has fought hard in the U.S. Senate to ensure that veterans receive the support they deserve when they return home. This year Klobuchar introduced the Helping Our Homeless Veterans Act, which encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with community providers to provide case management services, such as assistance locating counseling and job training, to homeless veterans. She has also introduced the Veterans to Paramedics Act, which would streamline civilian paramedic training for returning veterans, allowing their relevant emergency medical training from the military count for civilian programs. Last year, Klobuchar introduced the Post-9/11 Veterans Job Training Act to allow veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to use their education benefits for job training and apprenticeship programs. A similar provision became law in 2010 and will come into effect this October.

As a member of the National Guard Caucus, Klobuchar has been steadfast in her support for Minnesota National Guard members and their families. She fought to extend and expand to the national level Minnesota's pioneering Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides community support to Guard members and their families throughout the deployment cycle. Klobuchar also helped pass legislation to ensure equitable GI benefits for Guard members and Reservists and supported the largest increase in Army Guard Active Guard Reserve positions in 25 years.

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