For Immediate Release
4/8/08

Contact:

Nate Silcox (Sen. Regola's Office)
(717) 787-6063
Col. Chuck Anderson
(724) 552-3138
Col. Jim Brokenshire
(717) 985-1037 

Senate Approves Sen. Regola's Veterans' Measure

Senate Bill 1033 would add Military Officers Association to state panel

Furthering Pennsylvania's efforts to better serve its military veterans, the Senate today approved Senate Bill 1033, legislation introduced by Senator Bob Regola (R-39) to add a representative of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) to the Pennsylvania State Veterans' Commission.

The State Veterans' Commission is comprised of the major veterans' organization and offers advice to the state Adjutant General on veterans' issues. 

"This is a great step forward in our efforts to better serve our military veterans," said Sen. Regola.  "I am pleased that the Senate approved Senate Bill 1033 and sent it on to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Military Officers Association works on issues of importance to every veteran, on both the state and federal level, and will be a valuable voice on our State's Veterans' Commission."

MOAA, organized in 1929, is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization, operated exclusively to benefit members of the uniformed services (officer and enlisted) active duty, former and retired, National Guard and Reserve -- and their families and survivors.  There are over 9,000 current members of MOAA in the 16 Chapters spread throughout the Commonwealth.

"MOAA is extremely active in its support of veterans and those serving today," said Sen. Regola.  "In particular, the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Program is very important to them and they have raised thousands of dollars to buy phone cards for deployed and wounded servicemen and their families.  But it is at their community events that have been the greatest inspiration for me.  It was a thrill for me to be a part of a ceremony seeing 100 World War II veterans head off to Washington, DC to visit the World War II Memorial."

Col. Chuck Anderson US Marine Corps (Ret.), President of the MOAA PA Council of Chapters, and Col. Jim Brokenshire US Army (Ret.), Past President of the MOAA, PA Council of Chapters, brought this issue to the attention of Senator Regola.

"On behalf of the Military Officers Association, I would like to thank Senator Regola for listening to us and leading our effort in the State Senate," said Col. Anderson.

"The expertise of the Military Officers Association of America, at the national level, has been instrumental in passage of legislation which has improved the lot of not only our veterans but also active duty personnel," said Col. Brokenshire.  "We believe we can bring that same kind of expertise to the table for Pennsylvania service members."

SB 1033 now proceeds to the House for further consideration.

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