Congressman Pete Gallego

Representing the 23rd District of Texas

Gallego holds telephone town hall meeting with veterans

Jun 18, 2014
In The News
La Prensa

By Jose Borjon | 18 de junio de 2014

Washington, D.C..- U.S. Representative Pete P. Gallego (D-Alpine) hosted a telephone town hall meeting Tuesday evening with veterans and constituents from 23rd District of Texas. The telephone town hall is a platform that enables an efficient way to maximize interaction with constituents in one of the largest Congressional Districts in the U.S.

“Speaking to veterans and their family members from San Antonio, El Paso and many parts in between lets me know how the VA wait list issue has impacted our veterans and allows me to focus on finding solutions,” U.S. Rep. Gallego said. “This town hall allowed me to provide an update to thousands of people – all at once – on my ongoing work to address the severe issues at the VA.”

“I always want to be home in the district – going places and meeting with people, but my job requires me to be in D.C. whenever Congress is in session,” he said. “The telephone town hall format allows me to continue my dialogue with constituents back home even while I'm voting in D.C.”

During the telephone town hall, U.S. Rep. Gallego provided updates on the VA, including wait time issues. He also provided constituents an update on recent votes taken and legislation he is sponsoring and co-sponsoring to help veterans.

“I represent thousands of veterans who live in urban areas and small towns located throughout South and West Texas, and I’ve repeatedly asked the VA to give them better access to care. Everyone – whether Republicans and Democrats or Independents – expect improvements,” U.S. Rep. Gallego told those on the phone. “I want to see faster and more quality access for veterans and the VA must make it easier for veterans who live in rural areas.”

Local staff held “house meetings” in Alpine and Eagle Pass where veterans joined the telephone town hall as a group to listen and provide questions and comments to U.S. Rep. Gallego. Big Bend Radio in Alpine also carried the entire telephone town hall live during their radio broadcast.

During the telephone town hall, veterans and constituents were able to:

  • Record a message for U.S. Rep. Gallego
  • Receive an update from U.S. Rep. Gallego on his ongoing work to address VA issues
  • Ask live questions to U.S. Rep. Gallego
  • Answer interactive poll questions about their feelings on important veterans issues
  • Sign up for U.S. Rep. Gallego’s weekly e-newsletter
  • Leave feedback on the format of the town hall