WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, received the National Commander’s Distinguished Public Service Award from The American Legion at the Legion’s 56^th Annual Washington Conference.

The Distinguished Public Service Award is given annually to an “elected official who has established an outstanding record in support of those principles advanced by The American Legion.” In presenting the award to Isakson, American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett recognized him for his continued service to our nation’s veterans and his efforts to expand care and benefits for veterans through legislation during his congressional career.

“In addition to aiding veterans who have served in past years, Senator Isakson has worked to strengthen our armed forces and continues to show a steadfast commitment to the men and women serving our country today,” said Barnett, a Douglasville, Ga., native, during today’s award presentation.

Isakson thanked The American Legion for its service to veterans throughout the country, as well as the invaluable insight the organization has provided to the committee during his time as chair.

“I thank you for your service because around the world, from Post 123 in the Philippines to my home post where I’m a member, Post 233 in Loganville, Ga., members of The American Legion every day fight for the benefits of veterans, honor those who served in the past and look forward to serving those who are serving today,” said Isakson. “I thank you very much for the recognition you’ve given me today but I don’t really deserve it. You know, we get so much credit sometimes as members of the House and Senate, but the credit really goes to each of our veterans.”

Isakson also spoke about the many accomplishments the Senate has made for veterans during this Congress, including passage of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, improving the Veterans Choice Program and reforming Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) construction. Isakson talked about his plans for accountability reform at the department.

“I’m not going to be a member of the committee who stands up and talks about what I should have done as chairman,” said Isakson. “We’re going to fix the VA’s problems, we’re going to empower the VA workers and we’re going to see to it the veterans of America get the services they deserve in the fashion and the timeliness they deserve to get it.

“If there wasn’t a VA or the veterans that have served our country, there would be no United States of America,” continued Isakson. “We live in the greatest country on the face of this year. Our citizens volunteer and fight and in some cases give their life for the freedoms and the liberties our forefathers guaranteed us in the Constitution…. That does not go unnoticed and it will never go unappreciated.”

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 114th Congress. Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the military as well as more than 750,000 veterans.