Dear friend,
I brag all the time that the district I represent is the best in the country for many reasons, one of those is certainly its role in our national defense and the fact that it is home to so many veterans. Since coming to Congress, one of my top priorities has been to support veterans and their families. This support means fighting for increased access to healthcare for veterans' wellbeing, providing opportunities to help them prosper in the job market, and expanding networks of support as they transition to civilian life.
The sacrifices of our veterans have shaped the soul of our country. They will never be forgotten. I want to wish a happy Veterans Day to all the servicemembers who have fought for our country and to the families who supported them every step of the way. You are the pride of our nation.
On this special occasion, I am providing an update on some of the work my staff and I have done this past year to support our veterans and their families.
Veterans Bills I Have Introduced &
Co-sponsored
I introduced a resolution to designate the month of June 2021 as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month’’ and June 27, 2021 as ‘‘National Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day."
In July, I introduced the Veteran Peer Specialist Act of 2021. The Veteran Peer Specialist Act of 2021 would expand the peer specialist program to all VA medical centers over a five-year period by initiating the program at 25 VA medical centers per year, hiring two peer specialists at each facility, and ensuring diversity in the hiring of peer specialists. This bill builds on the Peer Act I introduced in 2018 that was later incorporated into the VA Mission Act of 2019.
Letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Regarding Community Providers
In September, I sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to request action to mitigate challenges veterans experience in accessing community care. Reps. Katie Porter (CA-45) and Lou Correa (CA-46) also joined this effort after we heard from constituents who have encountered difficulties, such as delays in receiving referrals and authorizations from the Department for private care, breakdowns in transferring health records between VA and private health care providers, and a lack of timely adjudication of claims. We requested answers on modifications needed to improve the internal process for referrals, actions to improve the electronic transfer of medical records, and actions to improve the VA appeals backlog, among other pressing issues.
I have also supported my colleagues' efforts this year by cosponsoring the following bills:
SAVE LIVES Act
Commission on LGBTQ Servicemembers and Veterans Act
Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act
VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021
LGBTQ+ Veterans Advisory Committee
Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act
Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021
Military Hunger Prevention Act
National Memorial WWII Commemorative Coin Act
SERVE Act of 2021
VET RENT Act
Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act
Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2021
Site Visits and Meetings in CA-52
The 52nd district is the proud home of so many organizations and facilities that serve our veterans. When I am not in Washington, D.C., it is my priority to meet with important stakeholders and visit these places to learn more about what we can do for our veteran communities.
In March, I had a briefing with Tamera Kohler, Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless. She discussed the organization's work and how COVID-19 has affected the homeless community's needs. We also spoke about veteran and youth homelessness, and the need for low-barrier housing to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with services they need.

In early May, I delivered the welcoming address at the commissioning ceremony for USS Miguel Keith at Naval Air Station North Island. USS Miguel Keith was built by San Diego’s own General Dynamics NASSCO and bears the name of Marine Corps Lance Corporal Miguel Keith who was killed in action while defending his platoon in Vietnam.
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A few days later, I met with Rear Admiral (ret.) John McLaughlin who also serves as President & CEO of the USS Midway Museum to discuss updates with the museum and his ongoing efforts to honor veterans.
In late May, I signed onto a letter to the Secretary of the Navy requesting that the Navy name a ship after a Filipino sailor who received the Medal of Honor 106 years ago: Telesforo Trinidad. Trinidad received the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the line of duty during boiler explosions onboard the USS San Diego while the ship was underway in the Gulf of California in 1915. After 106 years, Trinidad still holds the distinction of being the first and only Asian American (and first and only Filipino) in the U.S. Navy to receive a Medal of Honor.
On Memorial Day, I attended the ceremony at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial to honor the memory and sacrifice of fallen U.S. servicemembers. It was one of the first in-person events to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country since the lifting of local COVID-19 restrictions. This year’s event also commemorated the 30th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm.
In June, I met with representatives from the University of San Diego's Veterans Legal Clinic to discuss common veteran cases they handle, reforms on military discharge upgrades, and policies on extremism in the military.
In July, I met with members from the local chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America. We discussed expanding veteran access for earned benefits, and enhancing the VA's network of care, particularly in telehealth and specialty care services. We also spoke about housing issues for veterans and the VA claims appeals backlog, as well as my role in the spinal cord injury clinic and community center at the San Diego VA.
 In August, it was an honor to officially rename the Poway Post Office after Ray Chavez, a brave World War II veteran and beloved community member. I introduced legislation to rename this post office back in 2019 and it was signed into law last December. This recognition now reminds the Poway community of Chavez's enduring legacy.
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Also in August, I visited the VA San Diego Regional Office and met with staff to learn more about how they support our veterans. I toured the veteran's readiness and employment facilities and the public contact office where veterans can seek services to assist with claims in person. Afterwards, I visited the VA San Diego Hospital and met with Director Dr. Smith to discuss the care they provide to veterans and their infrastructure plans. During this tour, I observed the construction of the new Spinal Cord Injury facility and the hospital's COVID-19 vaccination station.
Serving Veterans on the Military Transition Assistance Pathway Caucus
In July, I proudly agreed to serve as the Democratic co-chair of the Military Transition Assistance Pathway (MTAP) Caucus. This bipartisan caucus supports and advocates on behalf of military servicemembers who return to civilian life, advances policies that improve services and resources for them, addresses gaps of care, and honors the service of our nation’s servicemembers and their families. As representative of a military town like San Diego, I am well aware that a return to civilian life presents unique challenges. It is an honor to support this community on this caucus and I look forward to continuing to serve on their behalf.
Honoring Employers Who Hire our Nation's Heroes
Four years ago, I voted to establish the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, the only federal program recognizing and honoring job creators for recruiting, employing, and retaining veterans. As we honor our veterans today, I want to recognize employers and awardees of the HIRE Vets Medallion Program in the 52nd district:
Coronado Distribution Company
Essence of America
Life’s Investments
Exceptional Employees for Exceptional Results
R3 Strategic Support Group
AVIVV
The Elite Guardian Consulting Services
Spectral Labs Incorporated
Support the Enlisted Project
I thank these companies for your commitment to stand by our veterans after their service and helping them pave a successful future.
It is an honor to serve CA-52’s veterans and their families in Congress. Happy Veterans Day!
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