November 11, 2025
FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL: In honor of Veterans Day, Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted legislation she recently signed to demonstrate the state’s appreciation of the service and sacrifice of New York’s veterans. The legislative package designates the State of New York as a Purple Heart state, while expanding employment opportunities for disabled veterans and safeguarding the benefits received by veterans.
“Our veterans and service members made the selfless choice to step up to protect our nation and our liberties,” Governor Hochul said. “Signing this legislative package ensures that those who served our country face fewer barriers to employment and benefits and are properly honored for their commitment to our country.”
FROM STATE SENATOR TOM O’MARA: The freedoms we cherish have been hard-fought and hard-won by the soldiers of previous generations and by those of this generation who have continued to serve. They are true American heroes, and we are grateful to every one of them.”
FROM SENATOR GILLIBRAND: Today, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, made the following statement in recognition of the roughly 18 million veterans in America:
“Today, I am thinking about the millions of veterans across the country who put their lives on the line to defend our nation,” said Senator Gillibrand. “During the longest government shutdown in American history, with VA services impacted for more than 1,000,000 veterans, I am reminded by their bravery and sacrifice that the fight cannot stop to ensure their full access to the benefits that they have earned. I am proud to have passed multiple pieces of legislation that directly help this community, and I will continue to advocate for them in the halls of Congress.”
New York State is home to more than 600,000 veterans, and Senator Gillibrand has spent her career in Congress fighting for them. In 2020, Gillibrand first introduced the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act, which would become the centerpiece of the 2022 Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act – the landmark legislation expanding health care access to millions of service members exposed to toxic burn pits. In 2023, she reintroduced the Restore Honor to Service Members Act to help veterans who were discharged solely because of their sexual orientation correct their records and gain access to benefits. In April 2024, Gillibrand announced the introduction of the Blast Overpressure Safety Act, which would help mitigate the risk of traumatic brain injuries among service members and veterans from blast overpressure. Earlier this year, Gillibrand cosponsored the bipartisan Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act, which would require the VA to create an advisory committee to improve the accessibility of services, facilities, and benefits for veterans and VA employees.
FROM CONGRESSWOMAN CLAUDiA TENNEY: Today we honor every American who has worn our nation’s uniform. Veterans in Upstate New York and across the country represent the very best of us. To all who served, thank you. Your sacrifice keeps our nation safe and free, and I will never stop fighting for you.
FROM CONGRESSMAN NICK LANGWORTHY:
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This Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform — Americans who put everything on the line to defend our freedoms and way of life. Their courage and sacrifice inspire us all, and I am eternally grateful for their service. In Congress, I’ve made it my mission to ensure our veterans receive the best care and utmost respect they deserve. From our pinning ceremonies honoring our Vietnam veterans, whose service was too long overlooked, to my critical fight to restore accountability and trust at the Buffalo VA, my commitment to our veterans will always a top priority. On this Veteran’s Day, we cannot ignore the tremendous hardship put on our veterans and active-duty military by Senate Democrats’ partisan shutdown—a selfish stunt that dishonors their sacrifice and jeopardizes the care and benefits they’ve earned. I’m in Washington, fighting to reopen the government and pass a spending bill that fully funds veterans’ medical care and benefits, including $167.7 billion for health care and toxic exposure treatment and $263.7 billion for disability compensation, education, and job training. The bill also supports vital housing, infrastructure, and facilities for our troops and their families. I urge for its swift and bipartisan passage. Our gratitude for the brave and selfless patriots who have served in our nation’s armed services must extend beyond today. As families soon gather for Thanksgiving, many of our military families will have an empty seat at the table. While we know that freedom is never free, so few of us have experienced the true cost of service. We owe them not just our thanks, but our full resolve to ensure they are cared for with the honor and dignity they deserve. May God bless our troops, our veterans and the United States of America. |
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Sincerely, |
