Senator Hagan Welcomes American Legion to Charlotte

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today addressed the American Legion's 96th National Convention in Charlotte today to welcome veterans from across the country to the North Carolina, the most military-friendly state in the nation, and discuss steps that the federal government and Obama Administration should take to restore the trust and faith of veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

"I have told the President that promises alone aren't going to get it done. The Obama Administration must understand that we need a complete change in culture at the VA," said Senator Hagan. "The Obama Administration has a long road ahead to restore the faith and trust of our veterans."

After an internal VA audit found that veterans at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center (VAMC) faced some of the highest wait times in the country, Senator Hagan urged then-Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson to visit the facility. Following her own visit, Hagan sent a letter urging the President to cut through bureaucratic red tape and swiftly approve short-term leases that would expand VAMC space in Fayetteville and Jacksonville to better serve veterans' needs in that area. Hagan announced today that those leases are moving forward.

Below are Hagan's remarks as prepared for delivery:

"Good afternoon! Thank you Commander Dellinger for that gracious introduction and for your distinguished leadership. Thank you to all the members of the American Legion for having me. And to everyone who made the trip - welcome to North Carolina! I am honored to join you today.

I want to begin by expressing my deepest sorrow for the loss of Jerry Hedrick, a North Carolina native and National Executive Committeeman. Jerry's dedication to our country, the American Legion and the youth he served through the American Legion Baseball program will not be forgotten. Jerry truly embodied the spirit of the American Legion.

You have protected our country during times of peace and war, facing dangers that most of us could never imagine. And all of you in the American Legion continue to serve by coming together, as the largest veterans service organization in the nation. Through your work, you have been by the bedsides of wounded warriors, aided veterans applying for health care benefits, and most importantly helped make veterans services a national priority.

As a U.S. Senator for the great state of North Carolina, I want you to know that I am your partner in this mission. Like so many people in our state, I come from a family of veterans. My husband is a Vietnam veteran; my father and brother served in the Navy; my father-in-law was a two-star general in Marine Corps and I have two nephews serving on active duty - one is a F-15 fighter pilot and the other a Navy Seal. So when I say that one of my top priorities is ensuring federal policies work for our veterans and active duty military, it is not just words - it is a personal obligation.

That is why I'm glad the President was here today to address the challenges and failures the federal government has had meeting its obligations to our veterans. I have told the President that promises alone aren't going to get it done. The Obama Administration must understand that we need a complete change in culture at the VA.

In the past few months, there have been some positive signs. Congress took an important step by passing a bipartisan VA reform bill late last month. I've also had a chance to spend some time with the new VA Secretary, Bob McDonald, who served in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg. I believe he will bring valuable experience and a fresh perspective to the VA.

But this must only be the beginning. The Obama Administration has a long road ahead to restore the faith and trust of our veterans. While I am confident in Bob McDonald's ability and believe he is up to the challenge, the first objective of the new Secretary must be to end the culture of delay and excuses that is hurting America's veterans.

Let me give you an example. Two and a half months ago, the acting VA Secretary visited Fayetteville, North Carolina, where wait times are among the worst in the country. He was told that the number one immediate action that could be taken to help them serve more veterans would be to approve some temporary medical space. At his request, within a week the VA had lease proposals in hand for more space at Fayetteville and Jacksonville. Everyone was ready to move - everyone except the federal bureaucracy.

After months of waiting, I actually had to contact the President directly to get these leases moving. I am pleased to report it now appears the leases will be approved, but it shouldn't be so difficult.

This is just one symptom of a much larger problem - of a system that is designed to delay and deny rather than to move quickly and nimbly to better serve our veterans.This has to change.

Here in North Carolina, we are proud to be the most military-friendly state in the nation. The military is a part of our state's tradition. And as far back as when I was a state legislator here, I was proud to be part of the effort to protect our servicemembers stationed in NC by outlawing payday lending that targeted military bases in our state.

And I actually have to say, I have been deeply disappointed with repeated efforts by our current state legislature to make it easier for predatory lenders to take advantage of hard-working military families. One effort even prompted military leaders across North Carolina and the Pentagon to take the unusual step of speaking out against the General Assembly's reckless actions.

While the North Carolina Legislature and the Administration have not lived up to their obligations to our veterans, I am proudest of some of the work I have done in this area, working closely with Senator Burr and others to bring justice to the Marines who were affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejuene.

For 30 years, servicemembers and their families who served at Camp Lejeune were exposed to toxic chemicals in their water. Many have faced serious medical challenges, and far too many have died before their time because of it. Having suffered one tragedy, these veterans then faced a second blow when the government they had bravely served refused to admit its mistakes.

I will tell you, it has not been an easy struggle. We faced resistance at every turn from one government agency or another. But we felt that we had an obligation to fight until justice was done. There is still work to do, but I was proud that we were able to pass legislation that will allow so many veterans from Camp Lejeune and their family members who are suffering to get the health care they deserve.

I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure we serve our veterans as well as they served us. Please know that my office is always open for any issues you may have.

Thank you again for having me here - you represent the very best of our country and it is a true honor to be your guest today. May God Bless you and may God Bless America."

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