Rep. Salazar Recognized by Colorado State Board of Veterans Affairs

Congressman’s work on behalf of veterans honored with award

DENVER, CO – Congressman John Salazar expressed his appreciation to the Colorado State Board of Veterans Affairs today.  The Board has recognized Salazar as an “Outstanding Colorado Legislator” for his work on behalf of veterans in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I’m honored and humbled to be before this group of distinguished veterans today,” Salazar said.  “As a veteran myself, I understand firsthand some of the empty promises that are made to our military men and women.  My work in Congress is aimed at ensuring that our nation’s leaders honor the commitments made to them when they signed up to serve.”

The Colorado State Board of Veterans Affairs is a seven member board comprised of honorably discharged veterans who are appointed by the Governor with oversight over all Colorado Veteran's affairs - including the Colorado State Veteran's Nursing Homes.  Congressman Salazar is only the fifth individual ever recognized by the Board.  The “Outstanding Colorado Legislator” award is given in recognition for uncommon dedication and service to Colorado veterans.

“While you are recognizing me today, it is really I who should be thanking you,” Salazar added.  “This board works tirelessly to advocate for the rights and benefits of our veterans.  Your dedication is to be commended.”

In his first year in Congress, Salazar has quickly emerged as a strong advocate for veterans and their families.  In February, he was honored with an appointment to the House Veterans Affairs Committee.  Salazar has worked hard in Congress calling for mandatory funding of VA healthcare, an end to unfair policies that punish military widows, and for tougher laws governing military medals fraud.

Congressman Salazar received the honor from Mr. Ralph Bozella, Chairman of the Colorado State Board of Veterans Affairs, during the Board’s regular monthly meeting.

The full text of the citation is below.

Citation

The Honorable John T. Salazar currently serves as a Member of Congress, representing Colorado's Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Salazar is the son of a World War II veteran, father of a currently serving National Guardsman, and is himself a Vietnam-era veteran who served honorably in the United States Army during the period from 1973 to 1976. Today, Congressman Salazar is the only member of the Colorado Congressional Delegation who is a veteran of military service.

As a member of the Colorado General Assembly from 2002 to 2004, John Salazar demonstrated uncommon dedication to legislation affecting Veterans issues throughout Colorado. His support and advocacy for key legislative issues resulted in his being named "Legislator of the Year" by the United Veterans Committee of Colorado. 

Upon election to the United States House of Representatives in November 2004, Congressman Salazar immediately began networking with veterans' leadership throughout the state to identify and evaluate issues and concerns. Last year,  his first as a Colorado Congressman, John Salazar personally visited five of the state's six State Veterans Nursing Homes, and joined residents of the sixth as part of a patriotic float in the Colorado State Fair Parade.

In Washington, D.C., Congressman Salazar has sponsored or co-sponsored more than two dozen major bills of interest to veterans, ranging from proposals to update the G.I. Bill of Rights to protection for the integrity of military awards.  Congressman Salazar's untiring effort on behalf of Veterans has not gone unnoticed by his peers. Though already serving on two House Committees, in 2006 Congressman Salazar was appointed to a third: the House Veterans Affairs Committee, where he is the only Member from the Rocky Mountain West. Congressman Lane Evans, the senior Democratic Member on that Committee noted: "Since the first day he walked into these halls, actually well before, John has shown a keen interest in veterans and military issues. (He) will bring an important perspective on the issues facing rural veterans and military retirees."

The Colorado State Board of Veterans Affairs recognizes the Honorable John T. Salazar for his service in uniform and, with the diminishing rate of veterans in both the State and Federal legislatures, honors him for his continued dedication to public service as a United States Congressman. Congressman Salazar's concern for individual veterans, his sincere and personal communications with veterans and veterans' leadership, his advocacy for veterans' issues, and his willingness to step to the forefront as sponsor or co-sponsor of important legislative issues marks him as an Outstanding Colorado Legislator.