Latino Leaders in Support of David Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans' Affairs

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 40 of the nation’s preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, supports the newly confirmed Secretary of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin, and is encouraged by his ability to continue improving the state of veterans’ affairs in our nation. Secretary Shulkin has also vowed to improve accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs. NHLA is pleased by this commitment, particularly to the extent that Latinos comprise a large percentage of service men and women in our nation, including representing the largest single group of veterans under 34 years old.

NHLA also encourages Secretary Shulkin to aid the provision of outreach in the Office of Veterans Affairs to identify and connect to Hispanic veterans and other veterans of color; particularly engaging in awareness of the benefits the G.I. Bill has for Latinos. NHLA members look forward to working with Secretary Shulkin on this matter and all issues facing veterans, particularly Latino veterans.

“We are pleased to see that Secretary Shulkin was confirmed with unanimous bipartisan support and are encouraged that he has experience directly dealing with health care, as this has a great influence on the Latino veteran community and the veteran community as a whole. We look forward to working with Secretary Shulkin to continue advancing the critical needs of Latino veterans” said Hector Sánchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

“We applaud Secretary Shulkin’s unequivocal commitment not to privatize the VA. There are still significant improvements that need to be made at the Department to address backlogs in health delivery service in VAs across the country. It is, therefore, paramount that the Secretary continues to vigorously implement the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 and Hispanic federal executives and civil servants are ready to do everything in our power to make sure he is successful in this mission,” said Al Gallegos, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Government Accountability Committee and President of the National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives (NAHFE).

“Since the Revolutionary War, Latinos – regardless of their immigration status – have fought bravely for this country and their sacrifices should never be overlooked. Secretary Shulkin has the track record and capability to make sure our veterans receive the care they deserve after serving their country. We are committed to working with the Secretary and his team to address issues of mental health, as well as lowering suicide rates and homelessness among our veterans,” said Kenneth Romero-Cruz, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Government Accountability Committee and Executive Director of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL).

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NHCSL is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 410 Hispanic legislators. For more information visit www.nhcsl.org.