OH-16: Boccieri Receives “Veteran Advocacy Award of the Year”

Boccieri Receives “Veteran Advocacy Award of the Year” from the Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council

State Senator John Boccieri, candidate for Congress in Ohio’s 16th District, was selected as the recipient for this year’s Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council’s “Veteran Advocacy Award of the Year.” The award is presented by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council annually to the individual who best advocates for issues affecting active duty, retirees, injured, and fallen soldiers in Ohio.

Senator Boccieri has been a tireless advocate for veterans since first elected to the Statehouse in 2000.  He has been successful in working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass legislation benefiting Ohio’s veterans.  Recently, Boccieri passed legislation like the Military Injured Relief Fund which sends grants to injured soldiers.  He also led efforts to bolster job protections for veterans in the workplace after many were losing them while serving abroad, and Boccieri also worked to strengthen enforcement of a 300 foot perimeter for protesters at military funerals.

In his presentation, Buckeye State Council President Thomas R. Burke, stated:

“You listened to veteran issues and followed through to do something about it.  All veterans in Ohio are better off this year than they were last because of you.  The entire membership of Buckeye State Council congratulates you.”

Accepting the award, Senator Boccieri said:

“This is truly an honor. I am humbled the Vietnam Veterans of America selected me when there are so many deserving candidates. I am proud of my record in the Statehouse and have always made veteran issues a top priority. But the real heroes are the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line for our blessed nation, and didn’t make it home. I will continue to work across the aisle to ensure that soldiers receive the resources they need the moment their boots hit the ground. I’ll also continue to fight for the benefits in medical aid and the education benefits they earn when they return home.”

Senator John Boccieri is currently a Major in the United States Air Force Reserve. He is a pilot and flies C-130 cargo planes.  Senator Boccieri has fourteen years of experience in the United States Air Force and has been on four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of those missions were flying the wounded and the fallen out of Baghdad, Iraq.

OH-16: Boccieri Applauds House Passage of Emergency Supplemental Bill

Boccieri Applauds House Passage of Emergency Supplemental Bill

Legislation Also Addresses Veterans Benefits, Critical Domestic Issues

State Senator John Boccieri, candidate for Congress in Ohio’s 16th District, today voiced his support for Thursday’s passage legislation that supports our troops both abroad and here at home. The measure which passed the House provides funding for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and addresses critical military issues.

Senator Major John Boccieri said:

“We must give our support this legislation, which gives our troops the resources they need to be successful while focusing on pressing issues here at home. Even though we’re giving our troops the necessary resources for their missions, we must find the will and the way to bring our troops home safely, honorably and soon.”

A second package expands GI benefits for a veteran’s education by allowing those who serve at least three years to receive free tuition, along with money for books, school supplies and housing assistance, at a public university in their state. A very important measure also allows veterans who serve longer tours to transfer their education assistance to a spouse or dependent.

Senator Boccieri, in a race for the empty 16th District House Seat, still rated at 4th Place in TheFix, WaPo’s Political Blog, continued:

“The expansion of education benefits for our veterans reduces burdens that many troops face when returning home – like finding a job and paying for college. This legislation gives our veterans and their families the opportunity to receive a quality education and build a successful career.”

 

Additionally, the bill includes a 13-week extension for unemployment aid for out-of-work Americans and allocates $2.6 billion for flood relief efforts in the Midwest.

Commenting on the state of the 16th Congressional District and Ohio’s gross unemployment numbers, Boccieri added:

“At a time when our economy is struggling and Ohio’s unemployment compensation fund has taken a hit, the extension of unemployment benefits would give Ohioans who have lost their jobs the resources to provide for their families as they find employment.”

The Fighting 16th District doesn’t deserve a candidate riding on the coat-tails of ex-Governor Bob Taft, convicted for Ethics Violations and leaving Ohio’s economy in shambles. It’s time our district took a stand against the status-quo and the misdirected leadership of the Republican Party. Let’s put a man of deep integrity fighting for the blue-collar workforce and our men and women who have serve our country with pride and honor, first!

OH-16: Senator John Boccieri Salutes Troops and Military Families in National Democratic Radio Addr

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for U.S. Congress:

Senator John Boccieri salutes troops and military families in national Democratic radio address for Memorial Day

State Senator John Boccieri, a Major in the United States Air Force Reserve and C-130 aircraft pilot as well as a candidate for Congress in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, will deliver the national Democratic radio address for Memorial Day on Saturday, May 24 at approximately 11:05AM.

Boccieri has served in the Reserve for 13 years and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan on four rotations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

In his address, John reflects on the solemn holiday and the service and sacrifices made by our soldiers and military families. He also calls upon leaders in Washington to change direction on policies effecting our economy, jobs, veterans, health care, and Iraq to put America and our middle class families first again.

Visit http://www.johnforcongress.com/ for the audio.

The complete transcript is attached below.

Transcript of Radio Address:

Good morning. My name is John Boccieri and I’m a state Senator from Ohio who’s running for Congress in the 16th District. I’m also a Major, Aircraft Commander, and C-130 pilot in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. And, I’ve proudly served our nation while flying missions in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

During those four deployments, I airlifted wounded and fallen soldiers from Baghdad. I ask you to join me this Memorial Day as we salute our soldiers’ duty, sacrifice and commitment for our country. Whether we agree with this war or not, we must thank the families of our soldiers’ for their sacrifices here at home, and remember the great honor American soldiers bestow upon our country by placing themselves in harm’s way.

While our brave soldiers honor America by standing up and fighting for us around the globe, we must honor them by standing up and fighting for them here at home. The best way to honor their service and sacrifice is to ensure they have the benefits they deserve and the resources they need to succeed when they come home.

If our veterans want to go to college, they should be able to do so the minute their boots hit the ground. I applaud leaders in Washington for passing the bipartisan 21st Century G.I. Bill to give today’s new veterans the same educational benefits as our World War II veterans.

Sadly, President Bush has threatened to veto the bill. Senator John McCain, who hopes to take his place, not only opposed it, but when given the opportunity to support his fellow veterans on the eve of Memorial Day weekend, didn’t even show up to vote nor express his concerns. Our veterans need to know that leaders in Washington have their back, and vetoing this measure will send a clear message that politics has defeated patriotism.

And while our soldiers fight abroad, their friends and families are fighting for economic relief here at home. As we spend billions on the war, hardworking middle class Americans are losing their jobs, paying more for food and gas, and going without health care.American families are frustrated with unfair trade agreements that have cost Americans tens of thousands of good paying jobs. We need a change so that our troops can return to a robust and vibrant economy.

I am running for Congress to be a voice for change in Ohio and for our country. In the state legislature, I fought to create the Military Injury Relief Fund that helps injured soldiers transition back into civilian life and assists them with medical expenses. I’ve also fought hard to make sure National Guard and Reserve troops come home to their jobs when they return from battle.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the human costs of this war, and in 2005, I had the privilege of flying Senator McCain from Baghdad after visiting with the troops. We both saw the same situation on the ground; and I respectfully disagree with Senator McCain’s approach to Iraq. I can’t see how we can sustain a presence in Iraq for 100 years.

We need strong leaders in Washington who will bring our troops home from Iraq safely, honorably and soon. Neither President Bush nor John McCain has offered an exit strategy.

While the Iraq war is costing us greatly in human terms, the money American taxpayers are pouring into that country is staggering. We’re spending more than $10 billion a month on the war while the quality of life for millions of Americans goes from bad to worse. We’re building brand new roads and bridges, and schools in Iraq when we need the same things right here in Ohio and in communities across our country.

Millions in America live without adequate health care coverage yet our government has paid the bill to cover every Iraqi man, woman, and child. We can’t afford four more years of the same failed policies.

It will take new leadership to bring real change to Washington.

We need a president and a Congress who will take care of our veterans and find a responsible way to leave Iraq so that we can invest in the American people and in American jobs.

We’re proud of our troops fighting for us abroad. Let’s make them proud of us by fighting for them here at home. They deserve nothing less.

I’m John Boccieri. I wish you and your family a blessed Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for listening.

OH-16: Sen. John Boccieri and Gov. Strickland Team-up on Vets Bill

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for US Congress:

A very Happy Memorial Day Weekend from State Senator Major John Boccieri and Governor Ted Strickland!!!

The word coming out of Columbus, Ohio, in the Tribune Chronicle for the passage of his vets bill “just in time for Memorial Day.” Ian Walton, Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for US Congress has confirmed:

Huge News! The Veteran’s Bill Sponsored by John has just been signed by the Governor.

According to the Tribune Chronicle:

Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend, the Ohio Senate approved a bill designed to streamline veterans programs and make sure reservists don’t lose their jobs when they are deployed overseas.The bill creates a Department of Veterans Services that consolidates existing programs under its director.

Last May, Gov. Ted Strickland formed a council to study what would be needed to create the new cabinet level post. At the time Strickland said his executive order:

…lays the foundation to ensure Ohio’s veterans and their families will always have a strong voice in state government.

State Senator Major John Boccieri, a member of the council that crafted the legislation said:

The group worked on it all summer to make sure we did this right for our veterans.

He was the sponsor of the provision to help protect reservists and National Guard members who come back to Ohio and find their old job is gone. Federal law already required employers to rehire the troops in their old jobs at the old pay rate.

Boccieri said 99 percent of employers do just that. But he said a growing number of soldiers are returning home from war to find their jobs are gone.The only recourse soldiers have now is through the federal courts, where it can take two to three years to resolve the dispute.

Often veterans walk away from the fight. What veteran can afford to fight for years for their job in federal court while needing to put bread on their family’s table?

The Major, who served four tours of duty as a C-130 Hercules Commander, said:

The bill is a first step in honoring veterans. SB 176 puts the job guarantee into state law, allows veterans to seek relief in state courts and it requires judges hear those cases first. The new law should resolve job disputes in a matter of months.