September 20, 2007
Buyer welcomes new director to Veterans Affairs Committee staff
Washington D.C. — House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) today announced that veterans’ advocate Brian E. Lawrence will assume the responsibilities of staff director for disability assistance and memorial affairs and of communications director on the Republican staff of the committee.
Lawrence, formerly the assistant national legislative director of Disabled American Veterans, is a disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Navy as an explosive ordnance disposal diver.
“Brian comes to the committee with solid credentials,” Buyer said. “His Navy service and his work at DAV give him a great breadth and depth of expertise with the issues faced by veterans and their families. His experience and dedication to those who served are an indication that he will make a solid and welcome member of the committee team.”
“I’m privileged and honored to continue serving our nation’s veterans in my new role,” Lawrence said. “I look forward to working in the legislative arena to ensure the needs of veterans are met and that they have timely access to the benefits they have earned and deserve.”
Lawrence will replace Jeffrey E. Phillips who is being promoted to brigadier general. He will return to active duty in the U.S. Army as deputy chief of public affairs on October 1. Presently a colonel in the Army Reserve, Phillips joined the committee in April 2005 after a tour of duty in Baghdad and service as an appointee in the Bush administration.
“The tradition of hail and farewell is well known to those of us who have served in uniform,” Buyer said. “As Brian Lawrence arrives, we farewell Jeff Phillips and wish him the best in his new role on active duty. Jeff has served here with dedication and expertise and he will be missed. He has made a positive difference in both the efficiency of benefits delivery to veterans and our ability to communicate to those we on the committee and in Congress serve. Good luck, Jeff, and congratulations on your new assignment.”
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