Good afternoon, everyone:
Our September 17 Veterans Resource Expo & Fellowship Lunch was a great success. Once again, I would like to thank all of the organizations who participated to include:
Sponsors
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta VA Health Care System
AMVETS Post 44
Georgia Grace NET
DeKalb County Department of Human Services
NAACP DeKalb County Branch
DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs
And for the wealth of resources provided by our generous sponsors and partners
Caregiver Support
Compensation and Pension (VSC); Loan Guaranty (LGY), Education (EDU) and Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
DeKalb Tax Commissioner Office, Information and Services
Enrollment/Eligibility & Transportation
Food & Beverages
Humana Insurance Information and Services
Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program
Post-9/11 M2VA Case Management Program
Suicide Prevention & Awareness
Trauma Recovery Program
VA Benefits Counseling
VetCenter Mobile Van
Veterans Burial Benefits & Service
Veterans Programs & Service
Veterans Readiness and Employment
Veterans Readiness and Employment
VISN 7 Clinical Resource Hub
Voter Registration Services
This great event would not have been possible without your professionalism and support.
I would also like to thank my friends Lou Herrig, Buddy Hill and Martha Pacini for being there to help us out. I really appreciate it. As always, my team did an excellent job coordinating the event. Moving forward I will continue to engage in activities that support the men and women who served this country in uniform.
On September 18 it was great to join my friends at the Ethiopian Community Association in the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash). Their facility on Memorial Drive is an anchor in our community and I always enjoy the sights and sounds of this wonderful event. I would like to thank my friends Yohanes Negus and Leul Asfaw for the invitation to attend. I am already looking forward to next year’s event.
On September 20 it was a pleasure to join my friends in the Mainstreet Community for a virtual community meeting. Mainstreet is one of the great communities in District 4 and we engaged with the residents on several issues of concern and importance. I would like to thank my friends Nadine Rivers-Johnson, HOA President Patrice Diamond, and Vice President Sharon Dickey for the invitation to attend. And thanks to the entire community for making us feel so welcome.
Likewise on September 22 it was a pleasure to join citizens from the Rockbridge Coalition for a virtual community meeting. This organization brings together several communities in the Rockbridge Road area to work on issues of mutual concern. Again, we engaged in a spirited dialogue on several topics. I would like to thank Coalition Chair Lance Hammonds and Secretary Cynthia Woods for the invitation to attend.
I would like to commend my good friend Vero'nica Maldonado-Torres, President and CEO of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for hosting The 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia Luncheon on September 26. I was unable to attend myself. However, my office was well represented by Chief of Staff Alesia Brooks and I understand that it was a wonderful event. My office will continue to support the efforts of our Latino Community.
At this time, I would like to exercise a point of personal privilege by giving two shout outs. The first is to Julia Downing, the daughter of some of my best friends from my Army days, John and Angie Downing. I have known Julia since she was a little girl. Well, Julia got married over the weekend in Surf City, North Carolina, to her long-time partner Jessica Bretz. It was a wonderful celebration and Diane and I were honored to attend.
Finally, I would like to give a shout out to my Aunt Helen Robinson in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was married to my mother’s brother Isaiah Robinson before he passed away, and she is my last surviving aunt from that generation from my mother's side of the family. As a boy I remember Aunt Helen always being so sweet. And now at 89 years old she is still a lovely person and going strong. I am really glad that we got to spend some time with her over the weekend. It was also great to see two of her children, my cousins Donna and Myra. Family ties are very important. And I look forward to doing it again sometime soon.
If you have any questions or concerns, you may call my office at 404-371-4749 or visit my website at commissionerbradshaw.com. As always, I will conclude my remarks by thanking the citizens of District 4 and DeKalb County for affording me this opportunity to serve. It is indeed an honor.