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Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Mast, Gabbard, IAVA to Hold Press Conference on Burn Pits Accountability Act

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Impacted Veterans Will Share Personal Stories

U.S. Representatives Brian Mast (FL-18) and Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), along with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), will hold a press conference with supporters of the Burn Pits Accountability Act (H.R. 5671) on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

WHO:
Rep. Mast
Rep. Gabbard (HI-02)
Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
Supporting veterans, veteran service organizations (VSOs), and military service organizations (MSOs)

WHEN:
Thursday, May 17, 2018
10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
House Triangle
United States Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20004

*Rain location: Rayburn House Office Building, Room Number 2216
**A live stream will be available for Florida press on Rep. Mast’s Facebook page.

WHAT:
The bipartisan Burn Pits Accountability Act will evaluate servicemembers’ exposure to open burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals to begin the process of understanding, assessing, and treating these service-related ailments. Over 140,000 servicemembers and veterans have reported exposure to burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals over the past three decades. Exposure can produce serious and potentially life-threatening health effects, including neurological disorders, rare forms of cancer, lung diseases, and more—triggering some to call the crisis the ‘Agent Orange’ of the post-9/11 generation.

The IAVA recently announced that they are honoring Rep. Mast with their annual “Salutes Award for Leadership in Government.” Rep. Gabbard was the 2017 honoree.

Post-9/11 Veteran Rep. Brian Mast and Reporter Leo Shane To Be Honored By Post-9/11 Veterans

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On June 6, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the leading voice of the Post-9/11 generation of veterans, will host its second annual “IAVA Salutes” event to recognize individuals who have demonstrated tremendous courage and leadership in support of the veterans community at its annual IAVA Salutes event in Washington D.C.

IAVA will honor Leo Shane with the Award for Leadership in Journalism for his excellence in reporting on veterans issues on Capitol Hill. IAVA will also honor Representative Brian Mast (FL-18) with the Award for Leadership in Government for his focus and effectiveness in ensuring veterans remain a priority on Capitol Hill.

“This is a historic event honoring two of our nation’s greatest veterans advocates. Congressman Brian Mast is a combat-wounded Afghanistan veteran who has consistently put country over self. Congressman Mast is a leader on critical veterans issues in Washington, including sponsoring IAVA supported legislation on toxic exposures and cosponsoring IAVA-led legislation on women veterans,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO of IAVA. “We are also honored to have the opportunity to recognize Leo Shane, one of the most dedicated and effective reporters covering veterans issues. Leo’s reporting has changed the course of history for veterans, holding leaders in Washington accountable to our nation’s veterans and ensuring veterans stories are told.”

In 2017, the first annual IAVA Salutes event honored ABC News Correspondent Martha Raddatz and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and featured live music and veteran leaders from across the country.