(Houston, TX) – Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) held a community conversation and resource fair with veterans from Texas’ Seventh Congressional District and representatives from organizations that focus on veterans issues.

In a city with the second largest veterans population in the country, Congresswoman Fletcher convened federal, state, and municipal agencies, along with community organizations providing direct services to the veteran community. Congresswoman Fletcher and the panel focused on issues relating to health care, gun violence and suicide, workforce development, education, and PTSD, among other topics.

The panel discussion included Shawn Deabay of the Texas Veterans Commission, Dr. Rola El-Serag of the Debakey VA Medical Center’s Women Veteran’s Health Program, Dr. Steven Hall of the City of Houston’s Veterans Affairs Office, and Mea Williams of Grace After Fire.

The resource fair included assistance from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Harris County Veterans Services, United Way Houston, NextOpVets, Texas Veterans Commission, Houston Community College, Worklife Institute, Texas Veterans Land Board, American GI Forum, Texas National Guard, and PTSD Foundation of America.

“Today’s conversation on the many ways our government can better provide for veterans and their families was important and helpful. The concerns about veteran suicide, access to health care, and services for women vets are important to take back to Washington,” said Congresswoman Fletcher. “Our veterans and their families served our country and now it is our opportunity to serve them. I appreciated the questions, comments, and concerns I heard from veterans today and I look forward to continuing this discussion on how Congress can best serve them.”

This event is the fourth community conversation the Congresswoman has hosted this year. Previous forums focused on transportation, flooding, and health care. She will host her third general town hall of the year on Sunday, November 10.

Congresswoman Fletcher supported the passage of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act and H.R. 1200, the Veteran Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, which became law this year. She also supported the passage of H.R. 840, the Veterans Access to Child Care Act; H.R. 2109, the Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment (BRAVE) Act; and H.R. 95, the Homeless Veterans Families Act. Congresswoman Fletcher is a co-sponsor of H.R. 2481, the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act.