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Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative Joe Atkins

583 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192

For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524

Posted: 2006-11-20 00:00:00
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INVER GROVE HEIGHTS HOSTS STATE VETERANS DAY PROGRAM: Atkins, Pawlenty, Klobuchar Pay Tribute to Veterans

Inver Grove Heights was host to Minnesota's annual statewide event to honor veterans this year when the State Veterans Day Program came to the IGH Veterans Memorial Community Center on November 11th. State Representative Joe Atkins, Governor Tim Pawlenty and Senator-Elect Amy Klobuchar joined the state's top military leaders to pay tribute to veterans. The program focused on honoring the bravery and sacrifice of the 25 million living Americans who have served in the military.

"Inver Grove is a new location for the Minnesota Veterans Day Program, and the Center put on an outstanding event," said Atkins. "I will be pushing to keep the event here, due to the strong commitment from our area to veterans."

Participants from across the state, from veterans and military to young kids, paid tribute to the contributions of veterans and enjoyed military music from the Richfield Symphonic Band.

Rep. Atkins noted that the number of veterans in Dakota County and Minnesota will soon be increasing. In March of 2007, more than 3,000 Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers will return home from duty.

"When these veterans come home, it will be the largest return of combat soldiers in our state's history," said
Atkins. "We've been working at the legislature to prepare for their return. We want Minnesota to be one of the most welcoming states in the nation for these veterans to come home to."

Rep. Atkins co-authored successful bi-partisan legislation during the 2006 Session to assist Minnesota veterans and active duty soldiers and their families. The new laws ensure that the families of deployed soldiers can get unpaid leave from their jobs to attend a military sendoff or homecoming ceremony. Atkins' bill also expanded the State Soldiers Assistance Program, which provides a safety net to Minnesota veterans and their families facing hardship.

Atkins also praised legislation passed this year that prevents protests during or near a funeral. The bill was passed in response to protests aimed at disrupting the funerals of fallen Iraq War veterans.
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