WASHINGTON—Disabled American Veterans (DAV) honored U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) by presenting him with the organization’s 2019 Outstanding Senate Legislator of the Year award in recognition of his legislative efforts to help veterans and his commitment to ensure the programs, benefits and services they have earned, and rely upon, remain a priority for Congress. 

“My father was a veteran so this is personal for me. Thank you to the more than one million DAV members and Auxiliary members doing great work to ensure we keep the promise our nation made to the men and women who have served. I remain committed to helping our service members, veterans and their families. I am honored to receive this recognition and thank DAV for its efforts to serve the veteran population,” Boozman said. 

“With DAV’s Outstanding Senate Legislator of the Year award, we want to recognize Sen. Boozman for his stellar leadership and commitment to provide sufficient funding for veterans programs, benefits and services. Sen. Boozman has worked diligently in a bipartisan manner to ensure adequate funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs remains a national priority. As the sponsor of the Deborah Sampson Act, he has also been a leader in improving benefits and services for women veterans. We look forward to our continued partnership on future legislative efforts that will enable veterans to lead high quality lives with respect and dignity,” DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Randy Reese said.

As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, Boozman is uniquely positioned to secure funding to improve veterans’ benefits and services.

The Fiscal Year 2019 veterans program funding bill authored by Boozman included a record level of discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs increasing its budget by of $5 billion above the FY2018 level. These additional resources will help provide the healthcare, benefits and memorial services earned by U.S. service members and veterans.

Boozman, along with Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), reintroduced the Deborah Sampson Act last month. The legislation would eliminate barriers to care and services that many women veterans face and would help ensure the VA can address the needs of women who are more likely to face homelessness, unemployment and go without needed health care.