by Staff Report CTNewsJunkie
The Vietnam Veterans of America has honored US Sen. Richard Blumenthal with its Legislator of the Year Award for 2024 in recognition of his leadership and service to America’s veterans, the group said.
The group presented the award Sept. 10.
The Connecticut senator, a Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C., has worked for years alongside VVA and other veterans service organizations to protect and expand the delivery of health care services and benefits for veterans and their families and has driven meaningful, veteran-first reforms, according to a news release.
Blumenthal in a statement said he is honored to receive the award.
“Ensuring veterans receive quality health care and benefits starts with being voices for veterans, their families, and the dedicated workers who serve them,” he said. “I’m grateful to Vietnam Veterans of America for their leadership, and I look forward to continuing our work to protect and expand the care and benefits that veterans need and deserve.”
Blumenthal’s landmark Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act expanded mental health services for veterans, and he championed provisions in the PACT Act to expand benefits, health care and compensation to toxic-exposed veterans, the organization said.
“Senator Blumenthal has consistently invited VVA to the table as a partner, most recently on targeted protections for veterans and their families,” said VVA National President Thomas Burke in the release. “We value his collaborative approach and his commitment to turning veterans’ voices into effective action.”
Blumenthal and VVA are now working to pass Blumenthal’s Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act, bipartisan legislation to improve military sexual trauma survivors’ access to health care and benefits, as well as bolster MST claims processing, the organization said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to state that the award Blumenthal received is a 2024 Legislator of the Year award that was presented last week. The Vietnam Veterans of America also presented Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois with a 2025 Legislator of the Year award last week. The group did not immediately reply to a phone message requesting clarification on the delay.
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