Smith & Pro Football Legends team up to support disabled veterans
Media Advisory
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1700 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007-2844
PHONE: (602) 926-5545 FAX: (602) 417-3043
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, Sept. 26, 2014
Smith & Pro Football Legends team up to support disabled veterans
PHOENIX – Representative Steve Smith and several Pro Football legends will host a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014, at 1 p.m. in the Rose Garden to support disabled veterans and their desire to lead as productive a life as possible following their separation from service.
“The laws and rules enacted by the federal government can limit the ability of a disabled veteran to work,” said Rep. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa. “We must get the Feds to review the disability rating process, annual income caps and other regulations that restrict disabled veteran employment. It is equally important that we make it easier for companies to hire disabled veterans.”
One Arizona company, TANKCHAIR that builds wheelchairs which give veterans much greater independence, freedom and access to the great outdoors, has found it difficult to hire disabled veterans under the current veteran disability benefit structure. [ http://www.tankchair.com ]www.tankchair.com
Rep. Smith will sponsor legislation next session encouraging the federal government to take action that will make easier for companies to hire veterans.
“Securing changes will not only increase the financial success of all disabled veterans,” added Rep. Smith, “but these needed reforms will ultimately improve the overall mental health of veterans by strengthening their ability to support themselves and their families.”
U-Haul Truck Rental, Con-way Freight and Santisi Brothers Pizzeria as well as the Hall of Fame (HOF) Players Foundation support TANKCHAIR’s efforts to improve life for disabled veterans.
“The HOF Players are indebted to what these men and women [veterans] have sacrificed on behalf of all US citizens,” said Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Krause. “We are honored to lend our support…and look forward to having these veterans beside us at every event we host Super Bowl week here in Phoenix.” [ http://www.HOFPlayers.org ]www.HOFPlayers.org and [ http://www.TheGivingPiece.com ]www.TheGivingPiece.com
TANKCHAIR plans to demonstrate a model of their wheelchair - the TANKCHAIR - at the news conference.
Who will attend:
· Rep. Steve Smith, Vice Chair, House Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility Committee
· Bobby Bell, Pro Football HOF Player from the Kansas City Chiefs
· Joe DeLamielleure, Pro Football HOF Player from the Buffalo Bills
· Paul Krause, Pro Football HOF Player from the Minnesota Vikings
· Brad Soden, Founder of TANKCHAIR
What: Information on disabled veterans and a demonstration of TANKCHAIR.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 01, 2014, at 1 p.m.
Where: The Rose Garden, 1700 W. Washington St, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
MEDIA CONTACT:
Christopher Leone/Communications Specialist
Arizona House of Representative – Republican Caucus
cleone@azleg.gov, 602.926.3233 (office), 480.242.8643 (cell)