New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern (D-Huntington) announced he has been appointed the new chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs by Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie.
“I am so proud to be the next chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee,” said Stern. “It has been my privilege for my entire career to work closely with and for the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect our great nation. I look forward to meeting with our veterans from across New York State to deliver meaningful legislation for our local heroes and their families.”
“As former chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am thrilled to congratulate my former colleague and neighbor, Assemblyman Steve Stern, on his appointment as the new chair. Assemblyman Stern is a dedicated leader who has long championed the needs of our nation’s heroes, and I have no doubt he will continue to fight for the care and support our veterans rightfully deserve,” said Kimberly Jean-Pierre, former Assemblymember for the 11th Assembly District and former chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
In the Suffolk County Legislature, where he served for 12 years, Stern was chairman of the Veterans Committee. During his tenure, he introduced and passed the landmark legislation “Housing Our Homeless Heroes,” ensuring that veterans and their families always have a place to call home.
He also authored the “Protect Our Fallen Heroes Act,” which protects military funerals from reprehensible and disrespectful protests while families are grieving the loss of their loved ones and ensures respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
“My work with Assemblyman Stern goes back to his time at the county, where he championed many programs that positively affected the lives of our veterans, including the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. Since its inception in 2012, the Dwyer Project’s impact on the community has resulted in reductions in hospitalizations, sustained families, secured gainful employment, prevented homelessness, promoted daily wellness, and absolutely saved lives,” said Marcelle Leis, director of the Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency. “With Stern’s appointment as chair of the Standing Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in the New York State Assembly, his leadership will continue to forge new programs for veterans throughout the state.”
“The veterans of New York State received a gift today with the appointment of Assemblyman Steve Stern as chairman of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee,” said Thomas Ronayne, former director of the Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency. “Assemblyman Stern brings two decades of selfless commitment and service to the veterans’ community, characterized by understanding, compassion, and a true grasp of the issues and concerns that affect us. An honest and intelligent chairman who will give his all to ensure we are well served by the state government.”
After being elected to the Assembly in 2018, Stern continued to deliver for veterans. He has sponsored and passed legislation to improve access to critical information, ensuring veterans receive the benefits they deserve, as well as legislation creating a task force to study and improve veterans’ employment opportunities. He has also passed legislation to protect veteran homebuyers from fraud through loan counseling and assistance, and to expand opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises.
“Steve Stern has effectively advocated for veterans and their families since he began serving as our legislator for the 16th District in Suffolk County. I am very glad to see that he has risen to the position of chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs in the New York State Assembly. He has years of experience and a deep knowledge of veterans’ issues to make a real difference. New York State veterans of all conflicts can be assured that he will continue to fight for them,” said Bob Santo, past commander of the American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244.
“Assemblyman Stern has been helping me serve our homeless veterans since 2007; he has gone with me to the VA in Northport, and he has helped me serve dinners to our homeless veterans on Thanksgiving and throughout the year at St. Anthony of Padua. He is very dedicated to our veterans,” said Dr. Ray Mascolo, D.D.S., who provides free dental care to veterans on Long Island.
Stern continues to be at the forefront of initiatives to improve services and care for veterans. He introduced legislation to create a study of women veterans’ healthcare issues to improve veterans’ healthcare in New York, and a bill to ensure that a veteran’s disability benefits would not jeopardize their eligibility for public housing.
“As chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I will remain committed to ensuring that our veterans across New York State always receive the recognition, support, and services they deserve,” said Stern.