The Peru Gazette

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

Congressman helped more than 1,000 constituents navigate red tape, connected with more than 27,000 in town halls and telephone town hall events

PLATTSBURGH—Today, Representative Bill Owens announced he was able to secure nearly $3 million in government funds for his constituents directly because of the constituent service outreach his office provides. The announcement came as part of his annual constituent services report. “Helping New Yorkers navigate bureaucratic red tape and assisting them as they seek the service they deserve from their government is incredibly rewarding work,” Rep. Bill Owens said. “I am proud of what my staff and I accomplished in 2013, and encourage all of my constituents to contact my office if they think we can help.”

Since he was elected to Congress in 2009, Rep. Owens has secured $8,895,163.33 in government funds through his constituent service outreach program. This year, he helped 1194 constituents with individual concerns. 

Rep. Owens also does his best to respond to every piece of correspondence he receives so he can explain government policy or legislation before Congress. This year he sent 47,424 pieces of correspondence in response to constituents who called, emailed or wrote the Congressman expressing their views and concerns. He also connected with 27,480 at town hall events and through telephone town halls that allowed constituents from every corner of the 16,000 square mile district he represents to ask questions and share their views with him.

Owens also appointed members to two advisory committees he initiated this year. As the Farm Bill moved through the House and Senate, Owens sought the advice of the New York farmers who comprise his Agricultural Advisory Committee. He also sought the perspective of members of his Women’s Advisory Committee and their take on legislation before the House and the New York State Assembly and State Senate.

Rep. Owens’ offices across the 21^st Congressional District and in Washington, DC can assist constituents with a wide-range of services. Some 2013 successes include:

• When a veterans’ widow was wrongfully denied benefits her husband earned in the military, Rep. Owens was able to help her get them back. The back-owed benefits added up—he was able to secure the $245,468.37 the VA owed her.

• A soldier at Fort Drum who served two tours overseas couldn’t get a tax refund he had been waiting for the IRS to send for months. He contacted Rep. Owens’ office and his return, which was worth more than $2,000, was located and expedited.

• After waiting six years for the VA to resolve his service-connected disability claim with no avail, a man in Saratoga County contacted Rep. Owens’ Glens Falls Office. Rep. Owens pressured the VA to process his $20,700 claim.

Rep. Owens has offices in Plattsburgh, Watertown, Glens Falls, Gloversville and Washington, D.C. To file a request for assistance or learn more about the services available through his office, visit Owens.house.gov and click on Constituent Services, or call 202-225-4611.