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Unclaimed airport clothing may help needy veterans
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Legislation that would distribute clothing left unclaimed at airport security checkpoints to homeless and needy veterans is moving quickly in Congress.
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., introduced a bill Wednesday to require the Transportation Administration to work with the Veterans Affairs Department and local charities to distribute the clothing to needy veterans and their families, a day after a companion bill passed in the House of Representatives.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., introduced the House bill.
"Thousands of pieces of clothing are left unclaimed at airport security checkpoints -- clothing that could be put to good use. The Clothe a Homeless Hero Act helps our heroes by giving unclaimed clothing to those most in need," Mr. Toomey said. "I thank Rep. Hochul for her leadership on this issue, and I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan, common-sense measure to help our veterans and their families."
"As cold weather approaches across much of the country, we must provide for our nation's homeless veterans while we work to end homelessness for good. I am proud to partner with Senator Toomey to advance my legislation to assist homeless heroes, which passed the House with the bipartisan support of my colleagues," Ms. Hochul said.
According to the Veterans Affairs Department, about 75,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, and about 20,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been homeless within the last five years.
Veterans advocates in Pennsylvania praised the legislation.
First Published November 29, 2012 12:07 am
