FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 6, 2012
Contact: Andrew Ma 626-513-2114
JAY CHEN SPEAKS AT DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION’S VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES COUNCIL
Charlotte, North Carolina — Jay Chen addressed a packed audience of veterans and military family members yesterday at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was one of three congressional candidates who are also veterans who were chosen to speak as part of the “Rising Stars” portion of the event.
“It is essential that we elect more veterans to Congress. Today, less than 1% of our population is serving in the military and the burden needs to be shared, especially within the ranks of our elected leaders. We need elected officials who know firsthand the sacrifices that our veterans and military families are making for our country and will treat them with respect. Simply being pro-war does not make our country safe or our troops strong” said Chen.
Chen, an intelligence officer in the United States Naval Reserves, is running for Congress in the 39th Congressional District of Southern California and is a school board member in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. He was introduced to the audience by retired General Claudia Kennedy, the first female to reach the rank of three-star general in the U.S. Army.
“Our military faces many challenges,” said Chen. “While we have ended the war in Iraq and are winding down the war in Afghanistan, we must ensure that our returning warriors will have good jobs and health care when they return. I pledge to fight with President Obama for our troops and fight for a strong and smart national security policy!”
Chen was also recognized on the floor of the Democratic National Convention along with other military veterans Thursday night. The Salute to Veterans took place during prime time of the final night of the convention, before President Barack Obama accepted his Democratic nomination for re-election.
“I am deeply humbled to take part in the re-nomination of President Barack Obama here at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. President Obama is an outstanding advocate for our service members and I am proud to call him my Commander-in-Chief. I look forward to helping him win his re-election and winning my race for Congress as well, so that we can have a Congress that will work for the American people and not just for narrow special interests.” said Chen.
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About Jay Chen:
A graduate of Hacienda Heights public schools, Jay Chen earned an NROTC scholarship to attend Harvard University and worked as a management consultant prior to starting his own small business. Fluent in Mandarin and Spanish, Jay was elected to his local school board in 2007 and has helped guide the district through academic growth while preventing furloughs and layoffs to K-12 education. He serves on several local civic boards and is an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve. Jay Chen is a member of the Democratic Foundation of Orange County.
The 39th Congressional District includes Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. It is one of the most diverse districts in Southern California; 30% of the district is of Asian descent and 29% is Latino. The politically moderate district includes the communities of Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Walnut, Diamond Bar, Chino Hills, Fullerton, Brea, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Buena Park, Placentia, Yorba Linda and northern Anaheim.