Congressman Raul Ruiz Hosts Veterans University in Hemet
Hemet, CA – Yesterday, Congressman Raul Ruiz hosted Veterans University at The Hemet Public Library, an event designed to empower veterans, their families, and all attendees to advocate for themselves and their fellow veterans and ensure they receive the benefits they have earned.
B-Roll and Photographs from the day can be found here and here.
This year, more than 140 veterans, family members, and community members attended workshops on crucial topics that included mental health, VA benefits, PACT Act, exposure to burn pits, home ownership and more. Over a dozen organizations like Loma Linda VA Medical Center, Burn Pits 360, Riverside National Cemetery and others offered assistance and information at the event.
The event featured keynote addresses from Congressman Ruiz, The Honorable Denis Richard McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Rosie Torres, CEO of Burn Pits 360. Topics covered included veterans' benefits, the PACT Act, and the future of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"Since I was first elected to Congress, hosting Veterans University in my district has been one of my favorite events. Every year, I am inspired by the stories I've heard and the families and individuals I've met," said Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25). It is my hope that today; by providing our community with information, training, and resources, we can work together to best serve the veterans of California’s 25th district and improve their lives.”
“As lead advocates of PACT ACT who started this effort from our kitchen table in Texas, we never imagined we would change history with Congressman Ruiz by our side. Congressman Ruiz led our bill not as a member of Congress but as a husband, a father and as a patriot. He never allowed for Congress to play partisan politics on the backs of sick and dying Veterans. He knew that there were thousands of Jennifer Kepner’s and Le Roy Torres’s across the country with one thing in common, they were sick and dying from burn pit exposure,” said Rosie Torres, CEO of Burnpits 360. “Once again even after the passage of PACT ACT he is in the community organizing and equipping Veterans and their families with resources and tools for life after war and military. As an advocate and veteran spouse, it is an honor to be here attending Veterans University, a place of camaraderie and honor. “
To learn more about Veterans University, visit https://ruiz.house.gov/veterans-university.