U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, R-Onondaga Hill, was honored Thursday by Disabled American Veterans for her work on veterans' issues.

Buerkle received the organization's Congressional Leadership Award at her Washington D.C. office. The award recognizes Buerkle for "her steadfast support and tireless efforts to strengthen veterans' programs and enact new legislation to empower all of America's injured heroes to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity," according to a news release.

"Serving as the chairwoman of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health is one of my highest honors. Our nation is the greatest in the history of mankind because of the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform," Buerkle said in a statement. "One of government's most important duties is to care for our veterans and their families and I am proud to work every day on their behalf."

Buerkle is a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. One of the bills Buerkle sponsored in the House was the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act. The legislation was included in a package of bills that President Barack Obama signed into law earlier this year.