Monday, October 16, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL CONTACT: Matt Cary, President Tel: (202) 841-1687 president@vmfp.org
21st Century non-partisan, non-profit Veterans and Military Family organization endorses additional candidates nationwide for House and Senate seats in November.
Washington, D.C.:
Veterans and Military Families for Progress (www.vmfp.org), is honored to endorse the following candidates for U.S. Congress and Senate in the upcoming November general elections.
VMFP is a new grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring 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. Candidates we endorse bring strong commitments to veteran, current service member, and military family issues. Their representation will ensure America remains strong in national defense and in fighting terrorism while maintaining our personal freedom at home.
Dr. Victoria Wulsin, a military family member running for the U.S. Congress in Ohio's 2nd District said: "I am humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of the VMFP. When our veterans come back from service, they should be treated like the heroes they are. It is high time that Congress provide full funding for health care, education, and job training for our veterans and their families."
Veteran and U.S. Congress candidate for Texas' 10th District Ted Ankrum agrees. "I fully understand the special place military families have in our National Defense, and the special duty Congress owes to them. I will do my utmost to live up to the trust you have placed in me with this endorsement," Ankrum said.
Bill Morrison, a veteran, school teacher and Candidate for the U.S. Congress for Tennessee's 2nd District said: ""It is time those who serve in Congress fight for our Veterans and their families as hard as these men and women serving in our armed forces fight for our Nation,"
Recently retired National Guard CSM Tim Walz, candidate for the U.S. Congress' 2nd District of Minnesota calls supporting the troops and veterans an ethical imperative. "I am honored to have the support of Veterans and Military Families for Progress. It is an ethical imperative that we fulfill the promises made to veterans and their families and that we do all we can to keep our soldiers safe and in good health. VMFP understands this imperative and I am eager to have them as an ally in Washington," Walz said.
Matt Cary, President of VMFP states that VMFP is pleased to support its membership's endorsed Veteran and Military Family Candidates.
"These candidates agree with our organization's mission statement and have successfully completed VMFP's endorsement process which qualify them for our strong support. If elected to Congress, these candidates have agreed to support legislation that provides for mandatory funding of the VA, a 21st Century GI Bill of Rights, and initiatives to assist homeless veterans and those afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorter (PTSD)," Cary said.
In addition to the support and appreciation of candidates, VMFP has the support and appreciation of current members of the Senate and Congress.
"The value of the support and services that your mission statement outlines is immeasurable and I look forward to working with your organization in the coming years," Sen. Larry E. Craig (R -ID) said. Craig is Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs within the U.S. Senate.
Congr. Bob Filner (51st Distr. CA) also spoke highly of VMFP's mission. Filner is a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee within the House of Representatives. "I stand ready to work with you to address the many needs and concerns of our nation's veterans, service members and their families. Please call me whenever I can be of assistance," he said.
Veterans and Military Families for Progress is a 501(c)(4) non-partisan, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a 21st Century organization 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.
Following are the candidates VMFP's membership has chosen to endorse for the November 7 General Election:
Veterans:
Andrew Duck (Md - 6th) Joe Sestak (PA - 7th)
Herb Paine (AZ - 3rd) Patrick Murphy (PA - 8th)
Bill Durston (CA - 4th) Chris Carney (PA - 10th)
Jay Fawcett (CO - 5th) Phil Avillo (PA - 19th)
Bill Winter (CO - 6th) Lee Ballenger (SC - 3rd)
David Buderly (FL - 6th) William Morrison (TN - 7th)
Jim Nelson (GA - 1st) Dan Dodd (TX - 3rd)
Tammy Duckworth (IL - 6th) David Harris (TX - 6th)
John Laesch (IL - 14th) Ted Ankrum (TX - 10th)
Tom Hayhurst (IN - 3rd ) Charlie Thompson (TX - 5th)
Mike Weaver (KY - 2nd) John Courage (TX - 21st)
Wayne Gilchrist (MD - 1st) Rick Bolanos (TX - 23rd)
Tim Walz (MN - 1st) Jim Webb (Sen - VA)
Duane Burghard (MO - 9th) Jack Davis (NY - 26th)
Jack Carter (Sen - NV) Eric Massa (NY - 29th)
Richard Sexton (NJ - 3rd) Rick Siferd (OH - 4th)
Military family members:
Patricia Madrid (NM - 1st) Jerry McNerney (CA - 11th)
Tony Trupiano (MI - 11th) Zack Space (OH - 18th)
Victoria Wulsin (OH - 2nd) Carol Shea (NY - 1st)
Paul Hodes (NH - 2nd) Tim Mahoney (FL - 16th)
Bruce Braley (LA - 1st) Darcy Burner (WA - 8th)
Amy Klobuchar (Sen - MN) Sheldon Whitehouse (Sen -RI)
Barbara Radnofsky (Sen - TX)
Veterans advocate:
Chris Smith (NJ - 4th)