Nearly 200 Attendees Come Together
to Support Military Families

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Military Family Caucus (CMFC), hosted the Caucus’ second annual Military Family Summit on Capitol Hill today.  The successful all-day event brought together Members of Congress; leading Administration officials, active, guard and reserve service members; veterans; and their families in a common purpose to draw attention to the needs of military families and advocate legislative solutions on their behalf.  There were nearly 200 attendees.

“When a service member joins the military, it’s not just a job; it’s a family commitment to our country,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers, whose husband, Brian, is a retired Naval pilot. “As we heard today, America’s military families have needs that are not being met, but with your contributions here today, we can better understand those needs and begin to address them.”

Speakers at the event included House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi; Mr. Robert Gordon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Military Community and Family Policy; Lieutenant General Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command; and Sergeant Major Bryan B. Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The breakout sessions throughout the day focused on key issues affecting military families – specifically, children’s issues; Service, Guard and Reserve member issues; spouse’s issues; and veteran’s issues.  Rep. McMorris Rodgers led the discussion on children’s issues. 

“As a Congresswoman, I can tell you, the most important factor for developing good legislation is getting input from those who would be affected by that legislation,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “The input we received during today’s panel discussions, roundtables, and breakout sessions was insightful and engaging and will be instrumental in developing better public policy for military families across the country.”

The CMFC is a bipartisan educational forum for Members of Congress and their staff on military family issues.  It was founded by Reps. McMorris Rodgers and Bishop in 2009. 

Photo caption: Rep. McMorris Rodgers answers an audience member’s question at today’s Military Family Summit.  Seated from left to right are Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D-GA); Lieutenant General Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command; and Major General Randy E. Manner, Director, Joint Staff, National Guard Bureau.

Additional photos from today’s event can be found here.