[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 142 (Saturday, August 7, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6011-S6012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE MINORITY VETERANS OF AMERICA

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Minority 
Veterans of America on the occasion of their fourth anniversary on 
August 7, 2021. Minority Veterans of America is doing important work in 
home State of Washington and around the country advancing equity and 
justice for nearly 5 million underrepresented veterans, including 
women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and religious and nonreligious 
minorities. As a nation, we make a promise to take care of our veterans 
when they return from service. It is the least we can do for those who 
have sacrificed to defend our freedoms. Minority Veterans of America 
addresses the additional challenges minority veterans face in receiving 
the benefits they have earned.
  Minority Veterans of America was founded in Washington State in 2017 
by two military veterans, Lindsay Church and Katherine Pratt. Over the 
course of 4 years, Minority Veterans of America has grown to include 
thousands of members spread across nearly every State. They have worked 
tirelessly advocating for reforms that address economic and health 
disparities among minority veterans. In my home State of Washington, 
they have organized innovative programs that address the unique need of 
minority veterans in transitioning to civilian life, financial 
stability, social engagement, and access to resources. At the national 
level, Minority Veterans of America has organized grassroots movements 
to address issues such as discrimination in the military, military 
sexual trauma, and the transgender military ban. They also work 
directly with the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase equitable 
and inclusive access to services.
  It is clear to me that Minority Veterans of America has made a 
substantial contribution to veterans in Washington State and across the 
country. It is my pleasure to thank Minority Veterans of America for 
their hard work and commitment. I congratulate Minority Veterans of 
America on 4 years of outstanding service to our military veterans and 
look forward to working with them in the years to come as we continue 
to advance equity and inclusion for our veterans.

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