WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has announced the membership of a 19-member panel to advise him on issues affecting minority veterans.
The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, established by law in 1994, reports annually to the VA secretary with assessments of how well VA's programs and services meet the needs of veterans who are minority group members.
"I rely on this committee to help eliminate any barriers that might keep some veterans from fully using their VA benefits and services," Principi said. "This panel will help sensitize VA to cultural and ethnic differences that could reduce access to the full range of our programs for some minority veterans."
The committee reviews reports and studies relating to minority veterans and examines their needs for compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach and other services. It may make recommendations for establishing programs to meet those specific needs.
The director of the Center for Minority Veterans, Charles W. Nesby, serves as the executive director for the committee. The center is responsible for ensuring that veterans programs are used by minorities.
The advisory committee will meet at least twice a year and will submit its annual report by July 1. The committee is among 21 special VA advisory panels.
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Membership VA Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans
• Francisco F. Ivarra, Vice Chairman: From Seattle, Wash. A combat-disabled Army Vietnam veteran, now national commander of the American GI Forum.
• Lourdes Alvarado-Ramos: From Olympia, Wash. A retired Army sergeant major of the Vietnam era, superintendent of the Washington State Veterans Home and the Soldiers Home and Colony in Orting, Wash.
• Renaee J. Allen: From Woodbridge, Va. A Gulf War Army veteran, now a field representative for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
• Bob J. Archuleta: From Montebello, Calif. An Army Vietnam combat veteran, commissioner of traffic and safety for the City of Montebello and a manager in real estate sales. Serves as a Los AngelesCounty commissioner for veterans affairs.
• David O. Chung: From St. John, Ind. A disabled Air Force Vietnam veteran, has served on Vietnam Veterans of America National Committee on Minority Affairs and as state chairman for minority affairs for the State of Indiana.
• Jerry Cochran: From Albany, Ga. A disabled Navy Vietnam veteran, a minister and founder/executive director of a veterans' outreach foundation.
• Irwin K. Cockett, Jr.: From Honolulu. A retired, disabled Army brigadier general, veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, and Native Hawaiian. Currently, director of the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services. Retired commander of Hawaii Army National Guard.
• Ralph D. Cooper: From Roxbury, Mass. An Air Force veteran, executive director of Veterans Benefits Clearinghouse, Inc., a non-profit agency serving predominantly minority veterans. Member of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
• Antonio Davila: From Magnolia, Del. An Air Force veteran who also served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard and Army Reserves, now director of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs.
• Terry R. Holden: From New Orleans. An Army veteran, human resource director for the Port of New Orleans. Serves on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Southeast Louisiana.
• John D. Jefferson: From Silver Spring, Md. Disabled Army veteran, assistant to Assistant Secretary for Public & Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Education. Previously assistant director, National Legislative Commission, American Legion.
• Ingrid M. Duran: From Arlington, Va. A Marine veteran, executive director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
• Don Loudner: From Mitchell, S.D. An Army Korean veteran with 32 years in the Army Reserves, currently a commissioner on the South Dakota State Veterans Affairs Commission. Formerly Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the state and superintendent of a Sioux reservation for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Clifford D. McDowell: From Silver Spring, Md. Disabled Army Gulf War veteran, formerly associate director of sports and recreation for the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Has served as board member and officer of Programs for Accessible Living.
• Kim M. Pignatiello: From Manchester, Conn. An Army veteran experienced in counseling veterans, including homeless veterans.
• Robert L. Rollins: From Tallahassee, Fla. Retired Army lieutenant colonel with Korean and Vietnam war experience, now assistant vice president for academic affairs at FloridaA & MUniversity.
• Carson Ross: From Blue Springs, Mo. An Army Vietnam veteran and seventh term member of the Missouri House of Representatives. Employed by Hallmark and president of a firm that operates a food business.
• Joey Strickland: From Walker, La. A Native American Army Vietnam combat veteran, now executive director of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. Also administers programs for nine tribes in Louisiana.
• Al Zapanta: From Annandale, Va. A Vietnam veteran, president of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Retired from Atlantic Richfield Co. as director of governmental affairs. Previously Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Management and Administration.
