LULAC APPLAUDS INTRODUCTION OF THE SGT. ALFREDO 'FREDDY' GONZALEZ MEMORIAL VETERANS' HOSPITAL ACT, URGES SWIFT BIPARTISAN PASSAGE
Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), today issued a strong statement in support of the Sgt. Alfredo 'Freddy' Gonzalez Memorial Veterans' Hospital Act, recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15). This pivotal legislation seeks to authorize the construction of a full-service Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and name it in honor of local hero and Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. Alfredo 'Freddy' Gonzalez.
"Our veterans in South Texas have given everything for this nation, and it is our solemn duty to ensure they receive the world-class care they deserve close to home," said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board. "Naming this long-overdue facility after Sgt. Alfredo 'Freddy' Gonzalez, an Edinburg native and a symbol of unparalleled bravery, will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by Hispanic Americans in defending our freedoms. We urge all members of Congress to support the swift passage of this vital legislation."
LULAC and Rio Grande Valley-based Veterans Service Organizations and Leaders have advocated for enhanced veterans' healthcare access in South Texas for many years. They often face significant barriers to receiving the specialized care they have earned through their service and sacrifice, and this Act is an essential step towards addressing a critical need in a region with a large veteran population.
"We will work with both the House and Senate in a bipartisan manner to get co-sponsors supporting this legislative bill to pass the Sgt. Alfredo 'Freddy' Gonzalez Memorial Veterans' Hospital Act and ensure that the promise of quality, accessible healthcare is fulfilled for all veterans in the Rio Grande Valley," said LULAC National Vice President for Veterans, Lawrence "Larry" Romo. "We will also work tirelessly with the Rio Grande- based Veterans Service Organizations and their leadership to get a unified effort to get this bill passed."
LULAC will help facilitate the Secretary of the Veterans Administration working with the State of Texas to obtain authorization to accept funds, land, and other resources contributed by the state of Texas or other non-federal entities, in accordance with the authority granted by the 2009 Texas constitutional amendment (Proposition 8).
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit https://lulac.org/.