Press Release

Earlier this week, Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. and local elementary school students participated in the "Valentines for Vets" program in honor of National Salute to Veterans Patients Week (February 9-15th). More than 15 classes at Mission Avenue Elementary School in Carmichael made Valentine's Day cards for veterans at Mather VA Hospital and spent the week learning about the service and sacrifices of our nation's veterans.

"I was honored to help connect our local students with our veterans for National Salute to Veterans Patients Week," said Bera. "It was heart-warming to hear from the students on what they'd learned about veterans, and I always enjoy visiting the Mather VA Hospital. This was a fun and creative way to help show our veterans how much our community cares."

Bera met with students and teachers to hear about why they thought it was important to honor veterans. Principal Townsend-Snider, teacher Mr. Polhemus, and student representatives escorted Bera to classes where he collected the Valentines. Bera and staff then hand-delivered the heart-felt messages to veterans at Mather VA Hospital. Director Stockwell and his team met and led Bera through the hospital where he handed out the cards to patients and veterans in the waiting rooms.

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. represents Sacramento County. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He's fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our country's debt in a responsible way. One of Bera's first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress don't pass a budget, they don't get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, he's working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nation's challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow @RepBera on Twitter, like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visit https://www.bera.house.gov.