VFW PAC Endorses Patrick Murphy

From the inbox:

Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) announced today that he has been endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee. Murphy was joined on a conference call by representatives from the Department of Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW endorsed Murphy for re-election based on his "strong support for veterans, national security/defense, and military personnel issues," according to a letter from the VFW-PAC. Rep. Murphy, the only Iraq war veteran in Congress, has been a tireless advocate for his fellow veterans during his first term in office. He fought to pass the largest increase in veterans' benefits in our nation's history and helped lead a bipartisan effort to finally bring a National Veterans Cemetery to Bucks County. In 2006, the VFW-PAC endorsed Murphy's Republican opponent.



"As a veteran, I am honored to receive the support of my brothers and sisters-in-arms. We have a moral responsibility to fight for those who fought for us, and no organization understands that better than the VFW," Patrick Murphy said. "Too many veterans have been left behind, and in my first term, I have fought to make sure everyone who wears the uniform of the United States gets the care he or she has earned. I am proud of my record and I will continue to fight for veterans and military families."



"Thank you for your service to your country. We know you served in uniform and we're all so proud of you and we're proud of the job that you are doing," said John Brenner, State Adjutant, Department of Pennsylvania VFW. "You've supported the VFW in so many things. You have been a good friend of our veterans in Pennsylvania and you know our VFW mission has always been to support veterans from all areas and we expect our federal lawmakers to do the same, and you certainly rise to the top and we commend you Congressman for what you've done for all of our veterans and their families."



"I know you are there always for the veterans, looking out for our needs and we appreciate it. Wherever the VFW needs you, you're there," said Thomas Goodman, Post Commander, Joseph A. Schumacher VFW Post 1597.



The Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee is the nation's only major Veterans Service Organization PAC. The VFW-PAC provides the 2.2 million members of the VFW, its auxiliaries and their families with an opportunity to collectively support candidates for federal office. According to Director Larry W. Rivers, the VFW-PAC endorses "only those candidates for federal office who support our nations' veterans and stand in support of a strong national defense."



Prior to being elected to Congress, Patrick Murphy served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. After 9/11 he deployed twice for our country – first to Bosnia and then to Iraq. In Iraq, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division where he was awarded the Bronze Star for service. He is the first and only Iraq war veteran to serve in Congress and is a member of Joseph A. Schumacher VFW Post 1597 Croydon, PA.



Supporting Our Veterans

* Congressman Murphy helped lead a bipartisan effort to bring a National Veterans Cemetery to Bucks County. For years veterans have fought to secure the long overdue honor of being buried alongside their fellow warriors. Finally, this dream is becoming a reality for the veterans of Southeastern Pennsylvania.



* For far too long, proper treatment and funding for veterans was not a priority in Washington. To change this, Patrick Murphy proudly voted for the largest funding increase in the 77-year history of the VA. This will give the VA the resources it needs to treat the two signature injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) -- as well as adding personnel to reduce the VA's enormous backlog of claims. Congressman Murphy recently held a PTSD Roundtable to raise awareness for this issue.



* Many disabled veterans were unaware they were eligible for property tax relief and other benefits offered by the state government. This was a case where the federal government didn't know what the state government was doing. Congressman Patrick Murphy and Dan Fraley, Bucks County Director of Veterans Affairs fought to change VA policy, making sure the VA notifies veterans about these other benefits to which they are entitled based on their service. These benefits are no good to veterans if they don't know about them.



* As we care for our aging veterans, it's critical that we meet the needs of the next generation of American heroes returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Patrick Murphy voted for an expansion of the original GI Bill, giving those who served after 9/11 up to four full years of college tuition, books and living expenses. He introduced a similar piece of legislation, the 21st Century G.I. Bill of Rights. Many of the provisions in my bill were included in the bill that passed.



* Congressman Murphy was a legislative co-sponsor Wounded Warrior Act to improve access to quality medical care for wounded soldiers and clean up the mess at Walter Reed Hospital.