Congressional Briefing to Highlight Legal Aid’s Importance for Veterans
WASHINGTON – A panel of experts on veteran' issues will discuss how veterans and military families are helped by local legal aid programs funded by the ¿ìèÊÓƵ (¿ìèÊÓƵ) on Thursday, March 10, at a congressional briefing. The briefing is co-hosted by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Patty Murray (D-WA).
The briefing, "Serving Those Who Have Served Our Country: How Legal Aid Helps Veterans," will showcase the importance of local legal aid programs to veterans. Panelists include:
- Will A. Gunn, former General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and retired Air Force Colonel;
- Susan Lutton, Executive Director, Mid-Missouri ¿ìèÊÓƵ;
- Maura Weber, Staff Attorney, Legal Aid of Western Missouri; and
- Ronnie Pitcock, Army veteran and client of Legal Aid of Western Missouri.
¿ìèÊÓƵ Chairman John G. Levi will introduce the briefing and ¿ìèÊÓƵ President James J. Sandman will serve as moderator.
Nationwide, an estimated 1.8 million veterans are eligible for ¿ìèÊÓƵ-funded legal services. For veterans struggling with legal problems such as foreclosures, evictions, and wrongful denials of benefits, local legal aid offices act as a critical gateway. These offices also partner with veterans’ associations, advocates, and other service providers for outreach efforts and to expand legal services to veterans.
The March 10 congressional briefing will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 385, Russell Senate Office Building.