Letter from the Attorney General July 28

Dear colleagues,

Wednesday marked the 75th Anniversary of the desegregation of the U.S. Military, an anniversary that represented a powerful opportunity for us to honor our veterans and reaffirm our commitment to supporting and expanding economic opportunity for ALL of America’s veterans. I remain honored to have led 24 attorneys general in a bi-partisan, multi-state call on Congress to support the Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2023. 

This bill will extend assistance to Black World War II veterans that were unjustly denied the benefits extended to White veterans under the GI Bill. The system failed Black veterans and their families, and seventy-five years later, we have the opportunity to right this wrong. 

Passing this bill would extend homeownership, educational and employment assistance to Black World War II veterans and their surviving spouses – opening the door to greater economic opportunity and helping us close the racial wealth gap. None of our heroes will ever be forgotten, and this is one step toward remedying the historic inequities faced by Black veterans.

While our country’s institutions were designed to exclude Black residents and people of color, I feel incredibly blessed to serve in a role and with a team where we get to redesign systems and transform policies to ensure ALL have equitable and fair access to the rights and privileges afforded to us in this country. 

I want to thank the team and especially Shane Blundell, Sherry Riva, Abby Taylor, Nicole Caravella, Molly McGlynn and Nicole Deluque for their exceptional work and collaboration with attorneys general offices across the country to make this a reality. 

Stay hydrated and cool today, and have an enjoyable weekend! 

With tremendous gratitude, 

Andrea