MADISON - Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, has been appointed to chair the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs during the upcoming legislative session.
Hilgenberg said in an interview last week he hoped to be a member of the committee. He worked with several county veteran services officers around the state while working on legislation last year and that would help him with veteran issues, he said.
The committee chairmen were announced Monday.
Hilgenberg said he was honored to be appointed by Rep. Michael Sheridan, D-Janesville, to chair the committee. Sheridan is the Speaker of the Assembly, which is now controlled by the Democratic Party.
"This is a great opportunity to work on initiatives that improve the daily lives of veterans in Wisconsin."
Hilgenberg said two of his top priorities as committee chairman will be to improve outreach, programs and services to ensure that veterans receive their benefits and enhance communication with veterans' service organizations, key leaders and Veterans Affairs officials.
"It is so important, especially at a time when we have troops in the field, that we do everything possible to protect our military personnel and our veterans," Hilgenberg said. "Wisconsin has a tradition of progressive action to protect our veterans and I plan to serve as chair with that legacy in mind."
Hilgenberg represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes most of Lafayette County, all of Iowa County and most of Sauk County. He will begin his second term Jan. 5.
Hilgenberg said in an interview last week he hoped to be a member of the committee. He worked with several county veteran services officers around the state while working on legislation last year and that would help him with veteran issues, he said.
The committee chairmen were announced Monday.
Hilgenberg said he was honored to be appointed by Rep. Michael Sheridan, D-Janesville, to chair the committee. Sheridan is the Speaker of the Assembly, which is now controlled by the Democratic Party.
"This is a great opportunity to work on initiatives that improve the daily lives of veterans in Wisconsin."
Hilgenberg said two of his top priorities as committee chairman will be to improve outreach, programs and services to ensure that veterans receive their benefits and enhance communication with veterans' service organizations, key leaders and Veterans Affairs officials.
"It is so important, especially at a time when we have troops in the field, that we do everything possible to protect our military personnel and our veterans," Hilgenberg said. "Wisconsin has a tradition of progressive action to protect our veterans and I plan to serve as chair with that legacy in mind."
Hilgenberg represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes most of Lafayette County, all of Iowa County and most of Sauk County. He will begin his second term Jan. 5.