Meng Announces Flushing Veteran-Who is Former National Commander of the American Legion-Appointed to Key Veterans Committee

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that Fang Wong of Flushing, Queens – an Army veteran and former National Commander of the American Legion – has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. The panel, which consists of veterans who represent respective minority groups, provides the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Congress with critical advice and recommendations about benefits, medical care, programs and services for America’s 4.7 million minority veterans.

Wong, 68, was appointed to the Committee by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald. Wong was selected to fill an open slot on the 12 member panel after Meng wrote a letter to McDonald in which she recommended him for the position.

“Fang Wong is an outstanding individual with an exemplary record of military service to our nation,” said Meng. “After bravely serving with honor and dignity in the U.S. Army for two decades, including two years in the Vietnam War, he continued his service to our nation by fighting for and representing U.S. veterans. He has also served in leadership positions, elected and appointed, on several key veteran service organizations on the local, state, and national levels including National Commander of the American Legion. He will serve the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans with excellence and diligence, and enhance our nation’s indebted service to our minority veterans.”

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to serve on this critical panel,” said Wong. “I look forward to sharing my years of experience and advocacy to further help our nation’s minority veterans, and to make sure that they receive the benefits and services to which they’re entitled. Many thanks to Congresswoman Meng for her support. I look forward to getting down to work.”

As National Commander of the American Legion from 2011-2012, Wong was the first ever non-white male to head the nation’s largest veterans organization with over two million members. He also served as Commander of the American Legion Department of New York. In addition to the Vietnam War, he served tours of duty in Germany, Korea and several stateside military bases. He was awarded several medals including the Bronze Star, and retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer. His term on the Committee runs through June 2018. Wong’s full bio is attached.

Specific responsibilities of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans include:

• Advising the Secretary and Congress on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) administration of benefits, and provisions of healthcare, benefits, and services to minority veterans.
• Providing an annual report to Congress outlining recommendations, concerns and observations on the VA's delivery of services to minority veterans.
• Meeting with VA officials, veteran service organizations, and other stakeholders to assess the Department's efforts in providing benefits and outreach to minority veterans.
• Making periodic site visits and holding town hall meetings with veterans to address their concerns.

The Committee’s work focuses on five distinct minority groups: Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Pacific-Islander Americans and Native Americans (including American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians). The panel was established under federal law in 1994, and its members are recognized authorities in fields pertinent to the needs of the minority group they embody.

According to the VA, minority veterans comprise nearly 21 percent of the total veteran population.