Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (R-Va.) recently received the Outstanding National Legislator Award from the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC). VCOC President Col. Sam Wilder, USA-Ret., presented the VCOC legislative award to Mr. Wittman (R-Va.), at the 26th Virginia MOAA Congressional Appreciation Luncheon on June 24, 2011. Col. Wilder thanked the Virginia congressional delegation for attending and for their accomplishments the past year concerning military, servicemembers, veterans, retirees and families (MOAA release).

“I cannot express the enormous gratitude our veterans deserve for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our nation,” Wittman said. “This award symbolizes the importance of their contributions and in turn, the work we must do in Washington, DC, to ensure they receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. I am proud to support our servicemembers and veterans in Congress, and am humbled by this acknowledgement by one of the premier military associations in our community here in Virginia, and in the nation.”

Since his election to Congress in 2007, Wittman has served with an unwavering drive to support those who defend our nation. Representing a district rich in military history and current military culture, he believes the top priority of our nation’s government is to uphold the security of this nation through a strong and well-sourced military.

Mr. Wittman currently serves as the Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, where he is tasked to ensure the nation’s military is efficient and judicious with their resources, and they work to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse within the Department of Defense. Members of the subcommittee and staff conduct comprehensive oversight studies of major programs and issues, and produce reports providing recommendations and improvements of these programs. Chairman Wittman is currently charged with a strict review of the recidivism issues at Guantanamo Bay, as well as a review of the mismanagement at Arlington National Cemetery.  He also serves on the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

His legislative efforts have focused on support for America's servicemembers, providing them with the tools and equipment necessary to defend and protect our nation.  He also works on behalf of the families of servicemembers on issues such as health care, housing and other factors impacting quality of life.  He believes we owe our active duty, reserve, and National Guard service men and women no less than our full support for their sacrifice on behalf of our country.  He supports a defense budget based on the strategic needs of this nation. In addition, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus and the Co-Chair of the Submarine Caucus, he is a staunch advocate for a robust Naval fleet and a healthy domestic shipbuilding industry. Rob also serves as Chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy's Board of Visitors.

MOAA is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization, and the nation’s largest association of military officers. More: http://www.moaa.org/

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