Congressman Yarmuth Hosts Sixth Annual Community Dialogue for African-American Veterans

Veterans’ issues took center stage at the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage on February 6, when Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) hosted the Sixth Annual Community Dialogue for African-American Veterans.

More than 130 veterans joined Yarmuth in a broad discussion that ranged from health care benefits and the national defense budget to new education and employment-training opportunities for veterans.

Yarmuth highlighted new legislative efforts that apply to Louisville veterans, including a bill he cosponsored to make sure out-of-pocket health care costs for members of the military and military retirees do not rise. Yarmuth also cited a new law that provides tax credits to businesses that hire veterans and expands education and training opportunities for 100,000 older veterans.

“I am proud to be a part of a community here in Louisville that recognizes just how important our veterans are – not just to our past, but to our future,” Yarmuth said. “And that’s part of why I am here today – to honor your service and to listen to your concerns.”

Yarmuth also made a special presentation to seven Montford Point Marines, who were the first African-Americans to fight in the United States Marine Corps. Last year, Congress approved legislation to award the Montford Point Marines with the Congressional Gold Medal.

The event, which Yarmuth has hosted every year since his election to Congress in 2006, is held in February to honor African-American History Month.