VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence presents the 2019 VFW Congressional Award to U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 6.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, was honored on Wednesday by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) with its top legislative honor, the 2019 VFW Congressional Award.

Isakson was selected as this year’s recipient for his efforts to help secure the passage of numerous VFW legislative priorities, including expediting U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) employee accountability, modernizing the VA appeals process, Forever G.I. Bill passage, improving veterans’ health care through the VA MISSION Act, and expanding caregiver programs to veterans of all eras.

“It’s one of my greatest privileges to serve our veterans, and I am humbled to receive this prestigious award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars,” said Isakson. “The VFW has been a tireless partner in our efforts over the last two years to reform the VA and ensure our veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve. I look forward to continuing our work and building on the progress we’ve made to ensure the successful implementation of these major reforms for our veterans.”

“It was an honor to present a veteran’s champion the 2019 VFW Congressional Award,” said VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence. “Senator Isakson earned this year’s award for his unwavering support of veterans, service members and their families.”                                                     

Since 1964, the VFW’s Congressional Award has been presented annually to one sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives or Senate for their significant legislative contributions on behalf of those who have worn the uniform.                                                                                     

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a national Veterans Service Organization with more than 1.6 million members comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces. On Wednesday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars participated in a joint hearing with the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees to present their legislative priorities for Congress in 2019. A video of the hearing can be found here.

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 116th 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 Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 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 armed services as well as nearly 700,000 veterans.