Retired General to Lead Veterans For Giffords

August 13, 2008
For Immediate Release

Contact: Zach Wineburg
Campaign Manager
Giffords for Congress
520-512-0012

GIFFORDS FOR CONGRESS ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF VETERANS GROUP SUPPORTING THE RE-ELECTION OF GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

Retired Four Star General John A. Wickham and long-time Tucson businessman and retired Marine Bill Valenzuela to lead group

TUCSON – Retired Four Star General John A. Wickham, President Ronald Reagan’s Chief of Staff for the United States Army, will serve as co-chairman of a new veterans group formed to support the re-election of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Wickham will lead Veterans for Giffords with co-chairman Bill Valenzuela, a long-time Tucson businessman and former Marine who served during the Korean conflict.

“I am honored to have patriots like Bill Valenzuela and John Wickham on my team,” said Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “They will lead an eminent group of veterans from across southeastern Arizona who share my commitment to making sure we properly honor those who have risked their lives in the service of our great country.”

Veterans for Giffords is comprised of veterans from across Southern Arizona.  All agree that Giffords has distinguished herself as a champion of veterans’ issues since taking office in January 2007.

Between now and Election Day, Veterans for Giffords will reach out to their friends and neighbors to show how important it is to keep the congresswoman in office, where she can continue fighting for the interests of America’s veterans.

The reasons for re-electing Giffords, Wickham and Valenzuela said, can be found in her solid record of accomplishment. It includes:

Fighting for the largest funding increase in the history of the Veterans Administration (H.R. 2764, signed into law 12/26/07)

Fighting for passage of a new G.I. Bill (H.R. 2642, Amendment #2, signed into law 6/30/08 )

Fighting for passage of the Wounded Warriors Act (H.R. 1538, passed the House 3/28/08)

Fighting to prohibit fee increases in TRICARE pharmacy program for service members (H.R. 1585, passed the House 5/17/07)

Fighting to keep Air National Guard jobs in Tucson (Amendment to H.R. 5658)

Fighting to repeal the “soldier tax” (H.R. 3808, signed into law as part of H.R. 6081 on 6/16/08)

“I strongly support Congresswoman Giffords,” said Wickham, whose 37-year Army career includes earning two Silver Stars for battlefield valor, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. “She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the men and women who have served our country and that is why I proudly stand behind her.”

Valenzuela agreed, pointing to the congresswoman’s visits with Arizona troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We want to demonstrate our strong, unqualified support for Congresswoman Giffords,” he said. “She has been there for us and now we are going to be there for her.”