Chet Edwards For Congress

The American Legion Vision | May 28, 2008

A Promise Fulfilled

Rep. Chet Edwards is living up to the legacy of the man known in Washington as "Mr. Veteran."

Texas Democrat Chet Edwards may never have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, but his 18 years in Congress have been shaped by those who did.

Until his district map was redrawn in 2003, U.S. Rep. Edwards counted among his constituents the massive Fort Hood Army community and a strong population of military retirees and veterans who make central Texas their home. He no longer has Fort Hood, but he does represent in Congress Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush's hometown of Crawford, and has fought diligently to keep the Waco VA Medical Center from closing.

On the national level, however, is where Edwards has made his biggest impact on the lives of veterans. He received The American Legion's 2008 Distinguished Public Service Award after shepherding the largest one-year funding increase in the history of VA – $11.8 billion – while serving on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. "Chet went above and beyond in keeping us informed and telling the truth," American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser said when presenting the award in early April.

"To be a politician accused of telling the truth – what a special thing," Edwards quipped in response .

The award, he said, "was an honor I will always cherish. I know the real heroes are our nation's veterans. I am simply fighting to provide the funding and services that our veterans have already earned through their service and sacrifice to our country."

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).

January 24, 2008

Waco Trib: VFW Selects Chet Edwards for National Award

Waco Tribune | From staff reports

"...a champion in our corner..." , "... no better friend in Congress than Chet Edwards."

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, has been selected to receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ 2008 Congressional Award for his outstanding service to veterans, servicemembers and their families.

Edwards, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, will be presented the award March 3 at the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Community Service and Legislative Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in northwest Washington.

“This award is extremely important to the VFW,” said VFW National Commander George Lisicki, a Vietnam veteran from Carteret, N.J., “because it recognizes a champion who is in our corner in Congress.”

The VFW Congressional Award has been presented annually since 1964 to one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of those who have worn the uniform. Past recipients include strong national security and veterans’ advocates, such as Mississippi’s Sen. John Stennis (D) and Rep. “Sonny” Montgomery (D), and South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond (R), among many others. Last year the award went to Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent.

According to a VFW press release: “Edwards, now in his ninth term, has been a staunch supporter of the 50,000 veterans within his district, and for the tens of thousands of soldiers and family members at nearby Fort Hood. His successful fight to keep the Waco VA Medical Center from closing served not only his constituency, but is now benefiting those returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through a research partnership with the Army to examine post-traumatic stress disorders. He helped block Pentagon efforts to raise military retiree Tricare medical premiums, eliminated the Survivor Benefit Plan reduction for military widows, and is working to ensure every disabled military retiree receives their VA and military pay concurrently without offset.”

According to Lisicki, Edwards was a driving force behind the record $6.6 billion increase to VA’s discretionary budget this year.

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

Edwards is the fourth Texan to receive the VFW Congressional Award. The others were Rep. Olin Teague (D) in 1969, Rep. George H. Mahon (D) in 1974, and Sen. John Tower (R) in 1983.

April 2, 2008

Edwards Honored by American Legion with Distinguished Public Service Award Given to Only One Member of Congress

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Chet Edwards was honored by the American Legion this week with the Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor given by the nation’s largest veterans organization. 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 American Legion 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 I am proud of the unprecedented $11.8 billion VA increase last year. Our veterans deserve every dime of that funding.”

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Waco Trib: U.S. Chamber honors Edwards

Waco Tribune
By Ken Sury

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Enterprise Award, according to this release from his office:

U.S. Representative Chet Edwards was honored by the United States Chamber of Commerce with its prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support of pro-growth legislation during the 110th Congress. This is the fifth year in a row Edwards has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber with this award.