MENG TO BRING FIRED ARMY VETERAN FROM QUEENS TO PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS ON TUESDAY

QUEENS, NY – In an effort to stand against the ongoing mass firings of federal employees, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that Luke Graziani from Woodside, Queens, a veteran terminated from his job at a New York City veterans hospital, will be her guest for President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night (March 4th).

Graziani, 45, is a 20-year U.S. Army veteran who was employed at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx. He worked as a public affairs officer at the hospital for nearly a year and was suddenly laid off two weeks ago. Prior to working at the medical center, he served two tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan.

Graziani is among the tens of thousands of federal workers that the new administration has unjustly terminated across numerous federal agencies over the past few weeks. Currently, veterans make up 30 percent of the federal workforce and some 6,000 have already been fired.

“Federal employees work tirelessly to provide crucial services that people depend on all across the country including here in Queens and throughout New York, and the way that so many are being kicked to the curb is disgraceful,” said Congresswoman Meng. “This includes our brave and heroic veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. I stand with Luke and all veterans and federal workers who have been impacted. Luke attending the President’s speech as my guest will send a strong and powerful message that it is unacceptable to turn our backs on these dedicated employees, and how doing so will inflict harm on New York and the nation. I look forward to welcoming Luke to Washington as we continue fighting these cruel and unconscionable cuts.”

“After 20 years of military service, including four combat tours, being terminated from my job at the VA by a thoughtless and heartless email was devastating,” said Graziani. “These terminations affect real people and real families of dedicated public servants. I am grateful to Congresswoman Meng for giving me the opportunity to represent thousands of federal workers who've been discarded while providing vital services Americans depend on. I hope my presence in our nation's capital will inspire other federal employees to continue standing for what is right.”

Graziani is the father of four children and resides with them and his wife at their Woodside home in Meng’s congressional district.

 In Congress, Meng has worked to assist veterans by sponsoring and supporting legislation, securing funding and spearheading local initiatives.         

The President’s address on Tuesday is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. inside the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.