Sen. Brown Addresses Issues Facing Homeless Veterans in Chillicothe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 1, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown visited the Chillicothe VA Medical Center in an effort to bolster support new and ongoing programs at the facility. Sen. Brown met with VA leadership, union representatives, and veterans to examine veterans’ issues, including veteran homelessness, the need for benefit reforms, and increased investments at the Chillicothe VA medical center.

“The Chillicothe Med Center is integral the lives of our veterans living in rural southern and southeast Ohio,” Brown said. “VA is committing millions in new infrastructure investments for Chillicothe to help ensure that the veterans it serves receive the best care possible. The Chillicothe Medical Center will be better positioned to grow as VA continues to improve its services to our veterans.”

Sen. Brown met with VA leadership, union representatives, and veterans to examine veterans’ issues, including veteran homelessness, the need for benefit reforms, and increased investments at the Chillicothe VA medical center. Brown also toured the Special Care Unit and met with several volunteers at the VA to commemorate National Volunteer Week, which begins April 17.

Today’s visit was the first of two events Sen. Brown will hold in southern Ohio focusing on veterans. On Monday, Sen. Brown will hold a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs field hearing in Cambridge to examine issues affecting veterans in Appalachia where local stakeholders will testify at Monday’s event and it is open to the public.

Brown, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, is the author of several legislative initiatives that would strengthen our nation’s commitment to veterans by improving education reimbursements and expanding employment protection for former service members. Brown has held more than 140 community events since being sworn into office in 2007 – holding at least one roundtable discussion with community leaders in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Many of Brown’s legislative priorities, including his jobs initiatives, originated from these discussions.