Washington, DC (July 26, 2007) – On Monday, August 6, Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) will host a veterans town hall forum with special guest Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA). Filner is the Chair of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Veteran Affairs, which reviews veterans' programs, examines current laws, and reports on legislation concerning veterans, including bills on health care, disability compensation, and GI bill education. The two also will be joined by Reps. Solomon Ortiz and Henry Cuellar.

“Our South Texas veterans and our Congressional delegation have been fighting for a veterans’ hospital for more than 10 years. And while the Veterans Administration has a contract for local hospital beds, 10 beds are not enough for the region’s more than 45,000 veterans,” said Hinojosa. “We must do more. We must honor our commitment to our nation’s heroes with both words and deeds.”

“I look forward to visiting with the Rio Grande Valley’s veterans and engaging in a productive dialogue to address their health care needs,” said Chairman Filner.  “It is our test as a nation to provide the finest and most timely medical attention for our veterans and we are prepared to take bold action to address the quality of care received by these outstanding men and women for their service to our country.”