THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. RESCHEDULED DATE: TBA.

Event Details: Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz (TX-27) announced that he will host his annual Coastal bend Veterans and Military Summit on September 13, 2008 at the American Bank Center.

This summit, held in conjunction with the City of Corpus Christi, will include workshops with VA Representatives on benefits/enrollment, business, education, health and mental health, and transitional assistance; as well as exhibits providing services to veterans in the areas of: employment, education, health care, social services, business, housing, and transportation. There will also be a Job Fair and Health Fair offering free glaucoma screenings, free blood pressure screenings, and many other services for veterans.

For six years, Congressman Ortiz has organized these summits in South Texas to provide veterans a "one-stop shop" to navigate the numerous services available to them and to receive updates on Congressional issues affecting both veterans and the military. These summits are free for area veterans, service members and their families, and will provide a wide array of services and information.

"This summit provides an excellent opportunity for area veterans and active duty members to meet with people who can offer detailed explanations of the services available to them in the Coastal Bend," Ortiz said. "One of the main priorities is to get an accurate count of area veterans so the government can provide the proper services."

Congressman Ortiz, who serves as the Readiness Subcommittee Chairman on the House Armed Services Committee, has represented the Coastal Bend region for 26 years. With a large veteran population and four area military installations, Corpus Christi serves as the ideal location for the summit. Numerous active duty military service members, along with their families, live in the Coastal Bend. Corpus Christi Army Depot, the nation's premier rotary wing repair facility, also employs many veterans.

As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Congressman Ortiz understands the need for veterans to have access to health care, business opportunities, and education. The military provided Congressman Ortiz, the child of a migrant father who lost his father at the age of 16, an opportunity to support his family and begin his career in public service. Now, he is providing the opportunity for those who served their country to better their lives and receive the services they deserve.