BURBANK—State Senator Mike Porfirio was appointed to serve on multiple Veterans committees by Senate President Don Harmon.

 Porfirio continues to serve in the Navy Reserve and is an Afghanistan War Veteran, where he served as an advisor to the Afghan Police from 2013-2014. Additionally, Porfirio deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pakistani Earthquake Relief efforts and Humanitarian missions in Central and South America.

“It’s an honor to represent the veteran community on these committees and I appreciate President Harmon’s confidence in me,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “Veteran suicide is a national emergency and Illinois’ efforts in breakthrough therapies to prevent veteran suicide needs to remain a priority.”

Porfirio was appointed to the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisor Council. This council was created to support clinical access to and training for medication-assisted United States Food and Drug Administration breakthrough therapies for veteran suicide prevention.

Porfirio was also appointed to the Interagency Advisory Committee on Hiring Veterans. The IACHV supports veteran employment and focuses on topics related to recruiting, hiring, acclimation, retention and promotion of veterans, reservists, and National Guardsmen in the workforce.

Additionally, Porfirio will serve on the Veterans Advisory Council. IVAC gives veterans a voice in government and provides information on veterans’ benefits to those who need them.  

“We need to recruit veterans to return to Illinois after their service or come to Illinois and make it their home,” said Porfirio. “Transitioning after military service can be difficult, and I’ll continue to fight to provide veterans the best support and resources possible.”

All three appointments are effective immediately and will not expire until January 2025.