WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) presented its 2023 Congressional Award to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) for his outstanding service and years of unwavering support to veterans, service members, their families and survivors.
“What an honor it is to present this award to such an honorable man,” said VFW Commander-in-Chief Tim Borland. “His devotion to reaching across the aisle and across chambers on behalf of veterans is unparalleled. He is a stalwart example of the ideals, traditions and values that we hold dear in the VFW.”
The VFW Congressional Award has been presented annually since 1964 to one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans and military service personnel. Past recipients include strong national security and veterans' advocates, such as Vermont’s Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson (R), and Montana Sen. Jon Tester (D), among many others. Last year's award went to former chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA).
Boozman, the son of a U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, has been a staunch supporter of veterans, service members and their families throughout his 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and now 12 years in the U.S. Senate. During his time in the House of Representatives, he chaired the Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee where he led the passage of multiple veterans bills surrounding veteran education and employment. Since being elected to the Senate, he continued his strong leadership for veterans by sponsoring the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act and being a steadfast ally in the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act. Now in the 118th Congress, Boozman is a staunch proponent the GUARD VA Act which will protect veterans by eliminating predatory claims practices.
The senator is the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee, and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, where he is also the ranking member of the subcommittee that funds Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and related agencies, and a senior member on the Environment & Public Works Committee.
“Sen. Boozman is a consummate champion of the rights, benefits and quality of life of those who served and those who are still serving our great country,” said Borland. “I can’t think of any other elected representative who has done more in reminding congress that ‘Every Veteran Counts.’”