Assemblyman Doug Smith (5^th District) was honored to welcome George and Debbie Stondell to the Capitol as his guests for the State of the State address.

“I am thrilled that George and Debbie made the trip up to Albany to join me today,” Smith said. “In Suffolk County, there are no better advocates for the veteran community than the Stondells. I am so proud of everything they have accomplished. This includes their involvement with AMVETS, where George formerly served as the New York State Comptroller for AMVETS and where Debbie currently serves as the President of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary for New York State. In addition, they continue their great work on American VetDogs & Angel Bikes as well as a whole host of other veterans organizations and initiatives.

This legislative session, I look forward to continuing my efforts to protect veterans. Last session, I helped to prevent devastating cuts to veterans’ services programs in the state budget,” Smith continued. “Should those cuts be proposed again this year, I will stand steadfastly against them. In addition, I voted to pass a Minority-led effort to provide tuition free college including room and board at state universities for the children and spouses of military service members who died while serving our country. My commitment to all veterans will be unwavering, just like my friends the Stondells. It is an honor to be back in Albany as your representative, and I look forward to getting back to work.”