Congresswoman Fudge sits down with Marine Sgt. Joseph Collins, an Iraq War veteran from Cleveland, who she invited to join her at the State of the Union Address.  Twenty-two other members have joined the Congresswoman's initiative and invited Iraq War vets from their district to the annual address. 

WASHINGTON, DC-- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) announced today that 23 Representatives, 13 Democrats and 10 Republicans, will participate in her bipartisan initiative to invite a veteran of the Iraq War to President Obama's State of the Union Address tomorrow evening.  Veterans will sit in the House gallery for the annual address.  This initiative is in collaboration with the National Guard and Reserve Caucus and Reps. Jeff Miller (FL-01), Tim Walz (MN-01) and Spencer Bachus (AL-06). 

"I believe we as a nation need to recognize the men and women who bravely fought to protect our way of life. We need to remember that many of our veterans return to civilian life with post traumatic stress or physical injuries, and many have difficulty finding a job and permanent housing once they return from active duty.  Inviting our vets to the State of the Union is one way to shine a light on their sacrifice and their needs, but we must stay committed to seeing that they have the resources and support available to aid them in assimilating back into our communities," said Congresswoman Fudge.

Congresswoman Fudge invited Marine Sergeant Joseph Collins, an Iraq War veteran and resident of Cleveland, who is currently unemployed.  Read more about Sgt. Collins here.  Follow @MarciaFudge for updates on the initiative and Sgt. Collins' activities while in Washington.

23 TOTAL PARTICIPATING MEMBERS:

                Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, Democrat from Ohio

                Congressman Spencer Bachus, Republican from Alabama

                Congressman Jeff Miller, Republican from Florida

                Congressman Tim Walz, Democrat from Minnesota

                Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Democrat from Texas

                Congressman John Carney, Democrat from Delaware

                Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Democrat from Wisconsin

                Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Democrat from New York

                Congressman David McKinley, Republican from West Virginia

                Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, Republican from Maryland

                Congressman Bill Huizenga, Republican from Michigan

                Congresswoman Sandy Adams, Republican from Florida

                Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Democrat from Maryland

                Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, Republican from Missouri

                Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Democrat from Nevada

                Congresswoman Diane Black, Republican from Tennessee

                Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, Republican from Pennsylvania

                Congressman Tim Bishop, Democrat from New York

                Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democrat from Florida

                Congressman Ben R. Lujan, Democrat from New Mexico

                Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Democrat from California

                Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Democrat from Ohio

                Congressman Steve Stivers, Republican from Ohio

 

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