| Rep.
Bilirakis receives American Legion' s Distinguished Public Service
Award for work
on behalf of America's veterans
WASHINGTON, March 2 /U.S. Newswire/ --
Rep.
Mike Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Vice Chairman of the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, was awarded The American Legion’s Distinguished
Public Service Award at its 45th annual conference today.
The award was presented to
Bilirakis in recognition of his military service during the Korean
War, his distinguished public service career and his support and
service to America's veterans.
Bilirakis, who served in the
United States Air Force during the Korean War, has distinguished
himself as a champion of veterans' rights and issues throughout his
12 terms as the Republican representative from Florida's 9th
District.
The American Legion, the world's
largest wartime veterans' service organization, is aggressively
challenging the administration's budget proposal, stating that the
plan is not acceptable to veterans. Of particular concern, is the
call for some veterans to pay $250 for veterans' health care and
doubling prescription drug co-pay.
"This is wrong," asserted
Bilirakis. "They have already paid by their service to their
country."
"The price of war does not end
with war," Bilirakis, a 49-year member of the Legion, told the
packed audience of fellow Legionnaires. "It ends with the veteran
and with their family."
The American Legion's legislative
rally draws politicians and government officials before more than a
thousand Legionnaires on veterans' issues. This year was no
exception.
Other speakers included Rep. Lane
Evans (D-Ill.), ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee, Rep. Steve Buyer (D-Ind.), chairman of the House
Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans Affairs Secretary James
Nicholson, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), member Senate Veterans
Affairs Committee.
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