For Immediate Release:
January 16, 2024
Suozzi Releases Second TV Ad Ahead of Special Election: “Voicemail”
New ad highlights a veteran recalling a voicemail message he received from Suozzi
Glen Cove, NY – Former Congressman Tom Suozzi, today released his second television ad ahead of the February special election. The ad, entitled “Voicemail,”will begin airing today with a significant buy on cable and broadcast television.
The TV ad highlights veteran Steve Bonom recalling and playing a voicemail message he received from Suozzi in 2018, letting him know that the Blue Water Navy Act, expanding coverage to navy victims of Agent Orange, had passed the U.S House of Representatives.
Suozzi’s ad, “Voicemail,” can be seen here.
A transcript of the TV ad “Voicemail” appears below:
STEVE BONOM:
Agent Orange didn’t only affect troops on the ground.
It affected sailors at sea.
We told Tom Suozzi about the Blue Water Navy Act.
(TITLE: The Act proposed expanding coverage to Navy victims of Agent
Orange.)
And months later, I was in the hospital…really depressed, and the first
message I got was from Tom Suozzi.
TOM SUOZZI:
I’m calling to give you the good news…the bill passed the House today…I
was happy to be a co-sponsor…thank you, buddy…congratulations.
STEVE BONOM:
If we call on Tom Suozzi…he’ll be there every single time.
TOM SUOZZI:
I’m Tom Suozzi, and I approve this message.
Suozzi has made veterans and veterans issues a cornerstone of his work in Congress, as well as Nassau County Executive and Mayor of Glen Cove, and it is a key part of his “10-Point Plan,” detailing how he will help restore sanity to Washington and get things done.
Throughout his public service career, Tom has promised to “never forget the vet.” He knows how much veterans and their families have sacrificed to protect our country, and he has worked to ensure that they can access the finest health care and post-service economic opportunities.
Tom worked closely with the Northport VA Medical Center and the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve services at the facility. He invited Republican Congressman Phil Roe, then-chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, to tour the campus and see its issues firsthand.
After that meeting, he successfully worked with President Trump’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs to obtain funding for major infrastructure improvements, including the demolition of decrepit buildings, enhancements to operating rooms, facilities for the homeless, mental health facilities, and heating and ventilation systems.
Tom has worked to combat the mental health crisis afflicting our nation’s veterans, which takes over 20 lives each day, introducing the bipartisan Mental Health Services for All Veterans Act.
He also voted to pass the landmark Honoring Our PACT Act, which improved health care for veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.
In 2021, Tom’s Harlem Hellfighters Congressional Gold Medal Act unanimously passed Congress and was signed into law. His bill awarded the 369th Infantry Regiment, a heroic African American regiment known as the “Harlem Hellfighters,” the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress bestows.
Veterans’ issues are personal for Tom, whose father was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a B-24 navigator during World War II. Tom established a district “Veterans Advisory Committee” and sponsored or co-sponsored every bill they recommended.
When elected back to Congress, Tom will re-establish this committee and
work every day to ensure we never forget the vet.”
“I am the commander of the American Legion Post in Sea Cliff. One of our members passed away, and his dying wish was to have his ashes interred at sea off of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier. Not being able to make progress on this dying wish, I turned to Tom for assistance. He knew who to contact and got the ball rolling. Thanks to Tom Suozzi, this veteran’s dying wish is being realized. This would not have happened without Tom’s intervention, know-how, and leadership,” said Phil Como, Captain, US Marine Corps (Ret).
“I retired from the military and wanted to obtain a copy of my military medical records to share with my current physician. I tried for months to no avail. There was always a new obstacle to getting them. Finally, I contacted Tom’s office in frustration. Within six months, I had my records. I could not have achieved this without Tom’s help,” said Jay Caputo, US Navy, Captain (Ret).
In December, when Suozzi launched his campaign, it was held at the Levittown home of Tom Cavanagh, a veteran, retired NYPD deputy police inspector, and a registered Republican.
Of significant note, there is no mention whatsoever of veterans or veteran issues in Mazi Pilip’s 10-Point Plan, which was released only last week.
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Tom Suozzi, trained as an attorney and CPA, is the former Congressman for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, Nassau County Executive, and Mayor of Glen Cove. Tom has committed his 30-year public service career to delivering for his constituents. His philosophy of working with anyone who shares his goal of solving problems and delivering for his constituents has guided his career and led to notable accomplishments on issues including protecting the environment, common-sense gun safety, full access to reproductive health care, immigration, caring for our veterans, affordable healthcare, and fiscal responsibility.