Kilmer receives award for work on veterans issues

OLYMPIA — The Northwest Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America (NWPVA) has chosen Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, as the recipient of its Glenn Galbreath Award for his work on veterans issues.

In presenting the award, Skip Dreps, government relations director of the NWPVA, pointed out Kilmer’s unique approach of sponsoring legislation that links the interests of veterans and business.

“This is someone who has used his experience in business and economic development to help veteran-owned businesses here in Washington,” said Dreps, who introduced Kilmer to the audience during the award ceremony Sept. 23 in Seattle.

Kilmer has successfully sponsored a number of veterans-related bills during his three years in the Legislature. As a member of the House during the 2005–06 biennium, he sponsored House Bill 2497, which authorized a suspension of business loan payments and interest accrual for active duty National Guard members. This year, as a freshman in the Senate, he sponsored SB 5253, which empowers the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify and help consumers support veteran-owned businesses in our state. He also co-sponsored SB 5123, which adds military members and veterans to Washington’s anti-discrimination laws, protecting them from employment and housing discrimination. He also helped secure $4.5 million in the state budget to upgrade heating systems at the Retsil Veterans Home, and proposed waiving tuition and fees at state colleges and universities for the children and spouses of veterans and National Guard members who have been killed in action, are permanently disabled, or are MIA or POW. In the upcoming legislative session he will sponsor a bill to increase the number of state contracts awarded to veteran-owned businesses.

In accepting the award, Kilmer commented on the obligation he feels as an elected official to ensuring that veterans get the care and recognition they deserve.

“I believe one of our community’s core values is that if you serve your country, we’ll have your back,” Kilmer said. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in support of military veterans and their families. But we have more work to do.”

The Glenn Galbreath Award is named for the NWPVA’s former legislative director who was known for his tenacity at moving legislators to recognize the needs of the disabled and veteran population. It is presented to individuals who distinguish themselves by using the legislative process to make life better for America and its disabled veterans.

The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) was founded in 1946 as a congressionally chartered veteran’s service organization, and has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction. The Northwest chapter was founded in 1977 and has grown to more than400 members in Washington, Alaska and Montana. It can be accessed through its Web site at www.nwpva.org, e-mailed at chapteroffice@nwpva.org, or telephoned at 206-241-1843.

Those interested in the Paralyzed Veterans of America can visit its Web site at www.pva.org, e-mail to info@pva.org, or call 800-424-8200.

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