Veterans

My family proudly served in our nation’s military. My father served in World War II and suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the rest of his life. My mother served in both World War II and Korea. Sadly, we became a Gold Star family when my brother Ray lost his life while serving in Vietnam.

I have seen first-hand how important comprehensive, compassionate, and convenient veteran services are to support our service members and their families. Our veterans deserve our care, and ensuring their well-being and support is not a partisan issue. We must all work together to address the needs of our veterans. As your Representative, I have championed legislation that helps our veterans, active-duty military, service members, and their families receive the support and recognition they deserve for their service to our country.

During this session we met some of long overdue needs of Minnesota’s National Guard:

• Whenever our governor called, guard members have stepped away from their daily lives and jobs. Yet have been paid on a state scale set decades ago. The payrate has been raised to match the Federal Defense table, which means a nearly 45% raise for all ranks under E-5;

• Military reservists and national guard members, who met the call with courage during difficult times, will now receive burial rights and honor guards in Minnesota’s State Veterans Cemeteries.

• Expanded education benefits to the surviving spouses and children of veterans deemed missing in action or prisoners of war.

With unanimous support in the House, the 2025 Veterans and Military Affairs Bill provides $252 million over two years to:

• Prevent veteran suicides
• Combat veteran homelessness
• Connect veterans with needed services
• Improve veterans’ social connections
• Fund meal on wheels for veterans in need
• Increase staffing for Veterans’ Homes
• Unlock an additional $26 million in federal funding

Importantly, this legislation gives state recognition to of the Hmong Veterans of the Secret War in Laos. These elders in our community sacrificed risked everything on behalf of the U.S. in Laos.

I am proud to report that the 2023-2024 Minnesota Legislature unanimously passed a Veterans and Military Affairs omnibus spending and policy bill that increased base funding by more than $150 million to provide:

• basic services
• job training
• physical and psychological treatment
• veterans’ bonuses
• veterans’ homes
• enlistment incentives
• training facilities
• construction of the Minnesota Military Museum

I was honored to join the Minnesota National Guard and our community for a tour of the renovated Rosemount Training and Community Center. Thanks to federal, state, and city partnerships, the Armory is finally updated and is increasing the capabilities it provides the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division (1/34) and the community. Grateful to have led efforts to secure $21 million of state funding in 2022.