WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today met with approximately 60 New Jersey members of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) who are in the nation's capital for the organization's Washington Institute policy conference.

"For more than 100 years, NCJW has been a positive force of change not just for Jewish women, but for women of all faiths and backgrounds," said Senator Menendez. "I very much appreciate and applaud the work of the New Jersey chapter which champions the needs of women, children and families in our State, including women's health care rights. Today's meeting was an opportunity for me to hear directly from women, who are working on the front lines of our communities, about what should be done to secure a better future for generations to come. New Jersey, and our nation, is a better place because of the work of these engaging, civic-minded women."

Senator Menendez, along with Deborah Legow Schatz, the NCJW New Jersey Policy Advocacy Chair, led the discussion. In addition to women's health, the group brought up an array of issues, including gun violence prevention and immigration reform.

NCJW's triennial public policy conference attracts about 400 participants from across the country. During the conference, they will be briefed by congressional leaders, administration officials, and other policy experts on issues of concern to the organization.

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Photo Caption: Menendez discussing women's health, immigration reform and gun violence prevention with the NJ members of NCJW. Washington, D.C. March 19, 2013.

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