Weekly Newsletter from the Office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe An update from the office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino SPOTLIGHT Andrew Honors Vietnam Veterans With 50th Anniversary Commemoration Yesterday, Andrew had the distinct privilege of recognizing over 50 Vietnam veterans in partnership with The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, which was created as a national 50th anniversary commemoration Presidential Proclamation in 2012 and concludes on Veterans Day 2025. Andrew presented each Vietnam veteran with a lapel pin and Congressional Certificate of Recognition during the ceremony in Center Moriches. He was joined by Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and other local elected officials. Veterans and their families have given so much for our nation. Andrew was honored to host this ceremony to give them our profound gratitude. He will continue to offer opportunities to receive these commemorative pins to any eligible veteran who wants one up until the 2025 deadline. Click here to learn more. ANDREW IN THE NEWS Feds: Staff added to Long Island, NYC passport office " The office that handles urgent passport applications for New York City and Long Island — described as 'backlogged' in a July letter from six area House members, including three from Long Island — has added staff to cut wait times, according to the State Department. Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Legislative Affairs Naz Durakoglu wrote in an Aug. 8 letter to Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) that the New York Passport Agency had added seven 'support associates' to its eight-member customer support team to 'bolster the agency’s ability to quickly facilitate urgent travel,' ...The State Department, which runs the New York Passport Agency, responded to the national crunch by authorizing overtime and hiring more workers. But Garbarino and other representatives said in a July 13 letter to State Department officials that delays at the New York agency had jeopardized travel plans for their constituents. The delay had gotten so bad, according to the letter, representatives sometimes made appointments for constituents at other agencies as far away as Buffalo and San Diego. In an email this week, Garbarino described the backlog as 'totally unacceptable' but remained 'encouraged by the State Department’s response to my requests to address the problem.' " Read the full article here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Hosts Second Annual First Responders Youth Lacrosse Clinic This week, Andrew held his 2nd Annual First Responders Youth Lacrosse Clinic in East Islip. More than 200 kids turned out and participated in clinic drills and scrimmages led by our first responder lacrosse teams followed by a shoot-out competition and K-9 unit demonstration. Andrew offered a special thanks to all the first responders who donated their time - especially the NYPD Men’s Lacrosse Team, NYPD Women’s Lacrosse Team, FDNY Men’s Lacrosse Team, MTA PD Men’s Lacrosse Team, SCPD Men’s Lacrosse Team, and Suffolk’s Boldest Lacrosse Team - and to East Islip School District for hosting. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Securing Medicare Coverage A constituent reached out to our office after facing delays in receiving her Medicare Part B coverage following retirement. After Andrew's team began working on her case, they learned that her enrollment was being held up pending verification from her former employer. Andrew's caseworkers were able to facilitate the completion of all necessary paperwork and the constituent was successfully enrolled in Medicare. Andrew knows how frustrating dealing with bureaucracy can be. That is why he has an entire team dedicated to helping constituents get what they need from the federal government. If you need help dealing with a federal agency, contact our office and our team will get to work on your case. KEEPING UP WITH CONGRESS Andrew Cosponsors Bill To Recognize Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Andrew recently cosponsored H.R. 537, Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act, which provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats posthumously in recognition of their brave and vital service of saving Jews during World War II. This bill honors these diplomats who put their life on the line to save the Jewish community in Europe amidst the height of the Holocaust, while also serving as an important educational tool to teach about the history of the Holocaust so that we never see atrocities like what took place again. Thanks for reading! Do you know someone who might like to receive these updates? Forward this email to your friends and families and tell them to click below to subscribe! Click Here To Subscribe Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino Congressman representing New York's 2nd Congressional District Washington, D.C. 2344 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7896 Patchogue 31 Oak Street, Suite 20 Patchogue, NY 11772 Phone: (631) 541-4225 Rep. Garbarino | 2344 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]