CalVet Swears-In Yaqui Veteran

[AmigoKumeyaay]

http://www.cdva.ca.gov/news/pr022610.pdf

California Department of Veterans Affairs

ADVISORY
Contact: JP Tremblay
Jaime Arteaga
Legislation and Public Affairs
916-653-2192

February 26, 2010

Swearing-in Ceremony for Pedro Molina as
Assistant Secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs

EVENT: A swearing-in ceremony for Governor Schwarzenegger appointee Pedro Molina as the first-in-the-nation Assistant Secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs. The ceremony will include a Native American blessing, ceremonial dancers and Tepee display.

DATE: Wednesday, March 3, 2010

TIME: 11:00 a.m.

PLACE: California Department of Veterans Affairs
Front parking lot (if rain in the Medal of Honor Hall)
1227 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

WHO: There will be approximately 150-200 people from various tribes throughout the state who will attend this event, including several tribal leaders from California tribes. Additionally there will be several dignitaries from American Indian and veterans communities including: Joey Strickland, Director for the Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs; David Rambo, National Council of Urban Indian Health; Don Laudner, National Commander of the National American Indian Veterans; Frank Molina, representative for several California-based tribes; Lee Azavedo, representative from some of the gaming tribes in California; and Frank Ramirez, National Director of Governmental Affairs for the National American Indian Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Pedro Molina, of Fresno, has been appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger as the first in the nation Assistant Secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs in the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet). Molina has served the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as American Indian program manager and marketing and community relations representative since 1998 and previously held the positions of minority veterans program manager from 1995 to 1997 and Hispanic veteran program manager from 1975 to 1995. Molina is a member of the Yaqui Nation from Tucson, Arizona. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

http://www.cdva.ca.gov/news/nfv022510.pdf

Governor Appoints Pedro Molina as First in the Nation
Assistant Secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs

Sacramento – Today, Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Pedro Molina, of Fresno, as the first in the nation Assistant Secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs in the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet). Molina has served the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as American Indian program manager and marketing and community relations representative since 1998 and previously held the positions of minority veteran program manager from 1995 to 1997, and Hispanic veteran program manager from 1975 to 1995. Molina is a member of the Yaqui Nation from Tucson, Arizona. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973.

“We are thrilled to have Pedro “Pete” Molina appointed to this very important position of Assistant Secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs,” said Roger Brautigan, Secretary of CalVet. “Pete’s experience and background will serve CalVet well as we continue to enhance our outreach to California’s Native American veterans.”

“This is a great opportunity to help our veterans and I look forward to reaching out to Native American veterans from all Nations in California,” said Molina.

Note to editors: This Veterans News and previous CalVet news releases, advisories and newsletters are available on our website at California Department of Veterans Affairs and via email from [email protected].
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