THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF COUNCILMAN VINCENT GENTILE

CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
(212) 788-7363
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
February 14, 2011

Contact: Dena Libner

(646) 335-3692

BETTER SERVICE TO VETERANS:

COUNCIL MEMBERS GENTILE AND EUGENE INTRODUCE
LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE AGENCIES’ ROLES

CITY HALL−In 2008, Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered each New York City agency
to create a “veteran liaison” position to improve communication between the Mayor’s
Office of Veterans Affairs and those agencies and better address the needs of veterans
those agencies serve (copy of legislation attached).

Council Members Vincent Gentile and Mathieu Eugene want to take Executive Order
110 a step further. On February 16, 2011, they will introduce legislation mandating every
agency’s creation of that position and the publication of the veteran liaisons’ names. The
goal is to expand Mayor Bloomberg’s idea of improved communication and delivery of
services between government offices to those offices’ communication with veterans’
advocates and organizations.

“This legislation bridges the communication gap between veterans, their advocates and
city government, making the delivery and development of services exactly what the men
and women who served our country deserve,” Council Member Vincent Gentile said.
“I’m thankful for Councilman Eugene’s emphasis on improving services to veterans and
his partnership on this piece of legislation.”

“Veterans across New York City have made enormous sacrifices to protect our freedom
and way of life, serving our country with honor and dignity. It is our duty to ensure that
veterans, as well as organizations which serve veterans, have access to services, programs
and benefits offered by the city. I am pleased to introduce legislation with Council
Member Vincent Gentile which will enable veterans to contact liaisons at city agencies
who can assist their needs,” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Chair of the
Committee on Veterans Affairs.

This legislation is not expected to require any additional funding or increased

expenditures. It is a no-cost measure to ensure that every agency takes the Mayor’s 2008
order seriously and that the improvement in communication on the needs of and services
provided to veterans can include relevant advocacy groups and organizations.

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