SVA Presents the Sonny Montgomery Student Veteran Champion and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Public Service Awards

Annually, Student Veterans of America (SVA) hosts its Washington Week program in the heart of our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. This program provides SVA chapter members from across the nation, as well as its territories, the opportunity to walk the halls of Congress, speak with their elected officials, and advocate on their own behalf for issues affecting the student veteran community.

During the three-day Washington Week, SVA not only recognizes and commends SVA chapter members for their advocacy, SVA also recognizes and commends the efforts of congressional representatives and public servants fighting for them at the state and national level.

For several years, SVA presented congressional representatives with service awards for their advocacy on behalf of the student veteran community at-large. These awards serve as a token of appreciation for their commitment to veterans and as a reminder of the population in which they serve.

SVA has had the distinct privilege of presenting the Sonny Montgomery Student Veteran Champion Award to two congressional representatives who stand out among their peers. Titled after U.S. Army Second Lieutenant and later congressman, Sonny Montgomery, this award recognizes the selfless dedication a person has provided in time and resources to changing the lives of student veterans in a meaningful way, and to their diligent efforts on behalf of student veteran issues and their unique needs on and off campus.

As a World War II veteran, Congressman Montgomery believed that the country should provide educational benefits to its service members and that the combination of military service and a college degree would make these individuals valuable assets to the country. In 1981, he led the fight for passage of a new G.I. Bill that bears his name: the Montgomery GI Bill.

SVA's National President & CEO, Jared Lyon, and Vice President of Government Affairs, Tammy Barlet, presented the Sonny Montgomery Student Veteran Champion Award to U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Representative Bost and U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Representative Takano. Rep. Bost and Rep. Takano represent the selfless service to student veterans exhibited by Congressman Montgomery.

Also, Lyon and Barlet had the privilege to present the Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Public Service Award, which honors the continuation of service in addition to an individual's military service to develop and execute solutions addressing national challenges. President Dwight D. Eisenhower served in the United States Army for over forty-six years, and during his time as president he recognized the increasing need for higher education, and believed that by providing adequate schools, research, study, and above all good teachers would propel tomorrow's education and therefore the welfare of the nation.

This year, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Senior Advisor to the Undersecretary for Benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Maureen Elias. Elias is an Army veteran and former SVA chapter president who has served on the U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and has worked with two of the "Big Six" veteran serving organizations (VSOs). In her current role at the VA, she has worked on two impactful projects, Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE), and updating the VA's Mission Statement.

The presentation of these prestigious awards highlights the exemplary commitment and service exhibited by both lawmakers and public servants in advancing the educational opportunities of our nation's veterans. This year's recipients exemplify the spirit of service and dedication to the veteran community, echoing the legacy of leaders like Congressman Montgomery and President Eisenhower. Through their continued efforts and support, student veterans' benefits are expanding, ensuring a brighter future for those who have served our country.

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