FOX 31: Congressman Bishop Hosts Town Hall at MCLB

By Romney Smith
Saturday, February 5, 2011

Bishop hosts town hall to hear military concerns from marines and their family members

ALBANY, GA -- More than 100 marines and their family members packed the base theater for the opportunity to talk to Congressman Sanford Bishop about their concerns within the military.

Bishop says he’s all ears, “All of those is in effort to be supportive to our military families so that their service members will rest easier as they pursue their service in defending this country” says Bishop.

Marines and family members asked questions regarding support, spousal employment, healthcare, and more. MCLB Public Affairs Officer Lt. Kyle Thomas says it’s important that Congressman Bishop meet with the marines and their spouses and family members face to face to hear their questions, concerns, and comments. “They want to know that their suggestions are being taken seriously in a genuine and intimate manner. So if the Congressman meets with them face to face he can see what he needs to take back to Washington with him” says Thomas.

Congressman Bishop assured the town hall attendees that it is his responsibility to make sure that his colleagues understand the concerns and issues that impact military families. “It’s important because our service men and women need to know that their families are taken care of when they are away from home on deployments in service of our country” says Bishop.

Nearby Fort Benning has seen results from Congressman Bishop’s action. Last year he helped get them a pilot program funded by the Department of Defense to fund tuition grants to military spouses for career advancement.