Congressman Joe Donnelly received the Department of Indiana Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 2007-2008 Legislator of the Year award Saturday for his work on behalf of America's veterans.

"The Indiana VFW performs exceptional service on behalf of Hoosier veterans who have fought and sacrificed abroad for the very freedoms we hold dear as Americans" said Donnelly. "As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I have valued their continued advice and guidance during my first term in Congress, and it is my honor to receive the Legislator of the Year award."

During his tenure in Congress, Donnelly has helped to enact the largest funding increase in history for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and he introduced several pieces of legislation to improve medical care for soldiers with traumatic brain injury and to help disabled veterans more easily access the benefits they've earned.

Donnelly voted to successfully block proposed out-ofpocket price increases for military and veterans' health care, supported a pay increase for military personnel and recently voted with the House of Representatives in passing an update of the GI Bill to ensure education benefits keep up with the rising costs of a college education.

He helped to expand access to care for Hoosier veterans by working to open the country's first Veterans Multi-Use Outreach Center in Logansport. The Center will provide an array of services under the same roof.

"The Indiana Veterans of Foreign Wars is honored to be presenting the Legislator of the Year award to Congressman Donnelly," said Thomas V. Burks II, member of the National Legislative Committee and Chairman of the Indiana VFW. "We want to thank him for his ongoing support of veterans and their needs as they continue with life after their service."