Legislators Recognized for Helping Address Veterans' Needs
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) recently held its Courage Awards and Benefit Dinner launch reception in Washington, DC, giving an early look at next year’s planned Courage Awards and Benefit Dinner in the nation’s capital. The event builds upon past successful ones in New York City. WWP recognized outstanding effort and achievement by legislators that are helping to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans the organization was founded to serve.
The new “Legislator of the Year” Award recognizes efforts to pass some of this generation’s most impactful pieces of legislation. The following members of Congress were honored:
- U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.)
- U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
- U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-36)
- U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.-12)
“Sens. Tester and Ernst and Reps. Ruiz and Bilirakis have helped improve the lives of millions of veterans and their families by helping champion and advance vital legislation this past year,” said WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington.
Jose Ramos pointed to this year’s passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act as one example of legislation that will directly and positively impact veterans. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in August, ensuring veterans who were exposed to potentially deadly toxins during their service to the nation will receive the care and benefits they need and deserve.
Other legislative efforts members were being recognized for include authorization to build the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in the Reserve of the National Mall in Washington, DC, and the Major Richard Star Act, which would recognize the sacrifice of over 50,000 combat-injured and medically retired veterans by finally allowing them to receive both their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation and their U.S. Department of Defense retirement pay concurrently without an offset penalty.
“Thanks to the leadership of Sens. Tester and Ernst, Congressmen Ruiz and Bilirakis, this has been a very productive session of Congress for America’s veterans,” Ramos said. “Of course, there’s still a lot of work to do, including passing the Major Richard Star Act, which will ensure that medically retired veterans get all the benefits that they’ve earned.”
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.