Chet Edwards For Congress

Veterans Champion Edwards Honored with National VFW Congressional Award Given to Only One Member of Congress

One of Only Four Texans to Ever Receive Prestigious Award (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Chet Edwards was honored this week by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) with their national 2008 Congressional Award, given to only one member of Congress annually for outstanding service to veterans, troops, and their families. In his first year as Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee in 2007, Edwards authored $11.8 billion in increased veterans’ health care and benefits, the largest increase in veterans funding in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“It is a privilege to work alongside the VFW to improve health care and benefits for America’s veterans, and I am deeply humbled by this honor,” said Edwards. “There is much more work to do, but this historic $11.8 billion funding increase represents a new day for America’s veterans and their families, who have earned every dime of it through their service and sacrifice for country.”

The VFW Congressional Award has been presented annually to only one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans. VFW National Commander George Lisicki presented the award to Edwards at the annual VFW Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. on March 3rd.

"Our military, our veterans, and our families of past and present have no better friend in Congress than Chet Edwards," said Commander Lisicki. "I am honored to present this prestigious VFW national award to him."

Edwards is only the fourth Texan to receive the Congressional Award from the VFW, America's oldest major veterans' organization established in 1899. The others were Rep. Olin Teague (D-6th), Edwards’ former boss and mentor, in 1969, Rep. George H. Mahon (D-19th) in 1974, and Sen. John Tower (R) in 1983.