Media Advisories

In my travels to military installations around the world, and visiting with veterans around the country, I have witnessed the powerful symbolism of an empty chair draped in a POW/MIA flag representing those missing in action. This gesture pays tribute to those who served and who have yet to return home. On Capitol Hill, I could think of a no more fitting place for this chair than in the hearing room for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. That is why, today, during a dedication ceremony, we revealed an empty chair draped in the POW/MIA flag, paying tribute to those we hope will, one day, come home to us. – Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

To watch the video of the dedication ceremony, please click here.

An Honor

Chairman Miller recently received the Medal of Merit from the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. The Medal of Merit was presented to the Chairman for his work on behalf of Jewish War Veterans, including the dedication of the Jewish Chaplains Monument at Arlington National Cemetery. Click here to see photos from the ceremony. 

Combating PTSD

Matching the right treatment with a veteran suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is one of the main goals of the Committee. The right treatment can put a veteran with PTS on the right path to recovering from the invisible wounds of war. Every day, stories of new treatments are published, and this one touched us – how yoga is helping our veterans find peace again.

Ensuring Veterans Are At Peace

After recent revelations from the National Cemetery Administration that several hundred veterans’ grave stones were in the wrong places, the Committee and VA have been working together to ensure that these errors do not happen again. At a recent hearing, Rep. Jon Runyan questioned VA officials on the processes and procedures being put in place to eliminate mistakes in the future.

Mickey The Recruiter

Veterans’ employment remains one of the most important issues facing the veterans’ population.  While several steps have been taken to reduce veteran unemployment, such as the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, the private sector is still a vital part of the solution. Veterans in the workplace are one of our nation’s greatest resources. To that end, Disney has recently announced their plan to hire 1,000 veterans. Learn more here.

Upcoming Committee Schedule:

• March 22: Joint House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – Legislative presentation of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Air Force Sergeants Association, Blinded Veterans Association, AMVETS, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Gold Star Wives, Fleet Reserve Association, Military Officers Association of America, Jewish War Veterans, National Guard Association of the United States.

• March 27: Full Committee Hearing – From the Ground Up: Assessing Ongoing Delays in VA Major Construction. 10:30 a.m. 334 Cannon House Office Building.

• March 28: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs – Re-evaluating the Transition from Service Member to Veteran: Honoring a Shared Commitment to Care for Those Who Defend our Freedom. 10:00 a.m. 334 Cannon House Office Building.