United States Representatives Phil Roe (R-TN) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA) will both speak to AU students about veterans affairs on April 14 at an event hosted by the Kennedy Political Union.
The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in MGC 2-3 and is co-sponsored by American University Veterans.
According to a press release sent by KPU Communications Director Coby Eiss, Roe has served Tennessee’s First Congressional District since 2009. Additionally, Roe spent two years with the U.S. Army Medical Corps before holding an office in Congress. He currently sits on the Veterans Affairs Committee, in the Oversight and Investigations and Health Subcommittees.
McNerney has served California’s Ninth Congressional District since 2013, according to the release. He was inspired to run for office by his son Michael, who is a reserve officer in the U.S. Air Office and AU alumnus. He also possesses a background in engineering and wind energy technology and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee, the release said.
At the event, Roe and McNerney will answer questions from student-moderator Sam Shumate. Students in the audience will be able to ask their own questions at the subsequent Q-and-A session. The second portion of the event will be reserved for members of AU Vets and ROTC only to discuss veterans affairs.
This event was brought to campus as part of KPU’s efforts to use programming to build partnerships with student organizations on campus. Bringing these two officials to campus is especially relevant to AU Veterans, the release said.
“Following the Veterans Health Administration scandal of 2014, veterans affairs remains an extremely relevant topic in national politics, especially in Congress and in the presidential election,” Eiss said in the release.
jodonohoe@theeagleonline.com
