REPS. SNYDER, SIMMONS, REYES INTRODUCE BILL TO GIVE MEDALS FOR AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ WARS WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Representatives Vic Snyder (AR-02), Rob Simmons (CT-02), and Silvestre Reyes (TX-16) today introduced legislation to authorize campaign medals for military personnel who participated in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
The Snyder-Simmons-Reyes legislation would authorize separate medals for the Iraq and Afghan campaigns. The President and the Pentagon would be charged with determining who would receive the medals.
Rep. Snyder said, "As a Vietnam veteran and former Marine, I know the incredible pride and sense of accomplishment our military personnel feel about how well they have done in our most recent wars. Congress should recognize their accomplishments, and I am very pleased that Mr. Simmons and Mr. Reyes have joined me in introducing this legislation recognizing the accomplishments of our men and women in uniform."
Rep. Reyes said, "The embattled soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company fought in Iraq to rid the world of Saddam Hussein and search out his weapons of mass destruction. Their ambush and imprisonment - and the experiences of all those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan - should be adequately recognized. In past wars, millions of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have received combat medals that have held intense meaning for them. Soldiers who fought and are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve a medal of equal significance."
Representative Snyder is the primary sponsor of the legislation. In addition to Reps Simmons and Reyes, eight other members, six Democrats and two Republicans, have joined as original cosponsors.
Representatives Snyder, Simmons, and Reyes are all Vietnam veterans and members of the House Armed Services Committee. Representative Snyder is a former Marine, while both Rep Simmons and Rep Reyes served in the Army. Reps Snyder and Reyes are Democrats; Simmons is a Republican.
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