Published: 04-02-08
WASHINGTON (April 1 2008) – U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards D-Texas received The American Legion’s Distinguished Public Service Award today the highest honor given by the nation’s largest veterans organization.
The American Legion recognized the congressman for his efforts to procure an increase of more than $11 billion in the 2008 VA budget. As chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee Edwards played a key role in the increase.
Edwards received the award from National Commander Marty Conatser before an audience today of more than 1000 American Legion family members attending the organization’s 48th annual Washington conference.
“I am profoundly grateful for this honor. It is one that I will treasure for the rest of my life” Edwards said. “I am proud of the unprecedented $11.8 billion VA increase last year. Our veterans deserve every dime of that funding.”
Edwards’ remarks were delivered during the “Commander’s Call” a rally led by the National Commander which included Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi House Minority Leader John Boehner VA Secretary James Peake Sen. Richard Burr and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Rep. Chet Edwards.
Pelosi said that The American Legion has been a valuable resource for educating Congress about veteran issues “We listened to you” she said. “You’ve come to Washington to make your voices heard and when you speak we listen. Paying our debt veterans is a priority for us.”
“On the battlefield we leave no soldier behind” Pelosi said. “And when they do come home we leave no veteran behind.”
Founded in 1919 the 2.7 million-member American Legion is the nation’s preeminent service organization for veterans of the U.S. armed forces including active duty National Guard and Reserves and their families. A powerful voice for veterans in Washington The American Legion drafted the original GI Bill and was instrumental in establishing the agency that today is the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
