Monday 12:30 Veteran Groups Call for Passage of Vets Justice Act

ALBANY, NY (06/21/2015)(readMedia)-- New York State Council of Veterans Organizations

MEDIA ADVISORY

Veteran Leaders Urge Passage of Justice for Our Veterans Act:

Treatment for Justice-Involved Veterans Suffering from

Mental Health Ailments Such as PTSD

CONTACT: John Pemrick Lewis, VFW, 619-602-9000, vfwpost8692@yahoo.com

WHEN & WHERE: 12:30 PM, Monday, June 22, 2015

LCA Press Room 130, Concourse, LOB, Albany, NY

WHAT: Veterans in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League, and NYS Council of Veterans Organizations are holding a news conference to call on legislators to assist justice-involved veterans suffering from untreated mental health ailments. The Justice for Our Veterans Act, A.2421B (Brindisi) and S.3914B (Griffo) ensures veterans receive treatment and consideration if they suffer from a service-related mental health illness. This bill provides a process for criminal justice-involved veterans to be examined and, as needed, diverted into treatment for mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: In attendance will be veterans suffering from PTSD and/or TBI who served in Operation Iraq Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Vietnam. Speakers will discuss the mental health calamity for many New York State veterans and the risks of untreated PTSD vets involved in the criminal justice system. Speakers will explain how the bill's criminal court treatment-oriented process for justice-involved veterans will lead veterans to rehabilitation, family restoration, and again being productive members of society. Veterans will highlight how untreated men and women with invisible but real injuries-the most vulnerable of our returning warriors who put their lives on the line for America's freedom-need a diversion treatment process in the criminal justice system.

WHO: Speakers include:

• Kirby Hannan, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Legislative Representative; U.S. Air Force ('65-69).

• John Pemrick Lewis, VFW NYS Legislative Committee Member; Senior Vice Commander, VFW Albany County Council; NY Area Chair, Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve; U.S. Navy.

• Art Cody, NYSDA Veterans Defense Program Legal Director; Retired, Navy Captain, Afghanistan veteran (2011-2012); Member of American Legion, VFW, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America.

• Robert Becker, NYS Council of Veterans Organizations Legislative Director; Marine Corps League Legislative Director; Co-Coordinator AMVETS, (U.S. Marines)