Delgado Joins Opening of New Veterans Center

KINGSTON – U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) joined the grand opening of the new facility for the Hudson Valley Center for Veteran Reintegration (HVCVR), which will host the newly created Ulster County Vet2Vet program. During the event, Rep. Delgado spoke about the importance of protecting and supporting the veterans community through the peer-to-peer programs offered by HVCVR.

“During these periods of physical and social distancing, it has never been more important that we honor the service of our nation’s veterans and ensure they have the resources and support they need to get through these challenging times. I am honored to join the Ulster County veterans’ community this morning to recognize the collaborative work being done, and celebrate the opening of the new space for the Hudson Valley Center for Veteran Reintegration and Ulster County Vet2Vet program,” said Rep. Delgado. “Our veteran community has selflessly sacrificed on behalf of our freedoms and American values, and today we honor their sacrifice by extending our nation’s promise to them in the form of valuable support programs and peer-to-peer mentoring. I look forward to returning to the facilities and seeing the community come together to support one another in person soon.”

Rep. Delgado has worked closely with the Hudson Valley Center for Veteran Reintegration to support NY-19 veterans. Last November, Rep. Delgado hosted an in-district work week focused on supporting our veteran community including a panel discussion that featured HVCVR founder Kevin Keaveny alongside elected officials, community leaders, veteran support organizations, and non-profits focused on easing veterans’ transition to civilian life. This April, Rep. Delgado recognized HVCVR founder Kevin Keaveny as a NY-19 Hero and discussed virtual mental health support for the veteran community.

In July, a bipartisan coalition passed the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which included Rep. Delgado’s Improving Benefits for Underserved Veterans Act as an amendment. The amendment directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish a report on veterans’ benefits being received disaggregated by sex and minority group member status. This report would provide the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Congress with the necessary data to better educate those veterans on their entitled benefits and address any disparities in coverage and benefit usage. Additionally, last week, the House passed federal funding legislation which includes report language mirroring Rep.

Delgado’s Fairness for Local Veteran Cemeteries Act. The language directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to support county-run veterans’ cemeteries.