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Wisconsin American Legion Presents Ryan National Legislator of the Year Award

On Saturday, July 19, the Wisconsin American Legion presented U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R.-Janesville) with the National Legislator of the Year Award.  The presentation took place during the group’s annual state convention, held in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Ryan was chosen to receive this award for his active support of Wisconsin’s veterans.     

“Receiving this award from the Wisconsin American Legion was a great honor for me, and I intend to keep working hard to make sure our veterans get the benefits and recognition they have earned by defending our nation’s freedom,” Ryan said. 

Ryan worked with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that a VA outpatient clinic opened in Kenosha to offer improved access to medical care closer to home for area veterans.  Ryan has also been a vocal supporter of full funding for concurrent receipt (in other words, fixing the unfair law that causes military retirees who are eligible for veterans’ disability compensation to have their retirement pay reduced.)  He has signed letters to the President and other officials about this issue and has cosponsored legislation that would allow military retirees who have a service-connected disability to receive both military retired pay and disability compensation.  

In addition, Ryan has supported other legislation that benefits veterans including the following bills that have been signed into law: the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001, the Jobs for Veterans Act, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001, the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act, and the Veterans’ Compensation Rate Amendments of 2001.

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