As the office of Assemblyman Jeff Gorell prepares for his return home after serving overseas in Afghanistan for the past year, Assembly Republicans stood together this week to present legislation designed to help veterans return to a productive civilian life.

“From Pearl Harbor and Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq, our veterans were there when our country needed them,” said Assembly Member Paul Cook, (R-Yucca Valley), the chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee and a retired Marine Corps Colonel.  “Now it’s our responsibility as legislators and grateful Americans to be there for them when they return home.  That is why we are introducing proposals to ensure that veterans receive the services and benefits they deserve.”

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Gorell’s office has worked to prepare five bills addressing veterans’ issues that have been raised in his absence.  All five bills have been introduced by Assemblyman Cook to meet legislative deadlines, but will be advanced through the legislature by Assemblyman Gorell upon his return in just a few weeks.  These bills are:

• Making it easier for our troops to vote (AB 1929)
• Helping veterans obtain state employment (AB 1930)
• Creating a “one-stop shop” for veterans to access services and benefits (AB 1931)
• Making sure military training counts for licensure of health care jobs (AB 1932)
• Allowing former military police officers to more easily qualify as local police officers (AB 2130)

A third generation naval officer, Assembly Member Jeff Gorell was called back to active duty by the U.S. Navy a year ago for deployment to Afghanistan.  He currently holds the rank of Lt. Commander with the Navy (Reserve) as an intelligence officer and has previously served a tour of duty in Afghanistan shortly after the events of 9/11.