Skip to Content

American Legion awards Congressman Ruiz for public service

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KYMA, KECY) - The American Legion presented Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. with the Distinguished Public Service Award.

The award ceremony took place on Tuesday during the 60th Annual National Commander's Call in Washington, D.C.

Ruiz, per a press release, received the award due to his leadership in passing the Honoring our PACT Act, helping Veterans, exposed to burn pits and other toxins, receive the health care and benefits "they earned, needed, and deserved."

“I am so honored to accept the American Legion’s National Commander’s Distinguished Public Service Award,” Ruiz said in his acceptance speech.

“Over the years, it has been a great pleasure to work with many of you in this room to secure the recognition, benefits, and care our nation’s veterans have earned, deserve, and need. The Honoring our PACT Act is now the law of the land because of you. This is a great victory that we share together because of the leadership and advocacy of the American Legion," Ruiz added.

Partnership and collaboration

Ruiz also received the award because of advocacy to protect non-citizen veterans and their families as well as help bring deported Veterans home.

The author of the Honoring our PACT Act, House Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano also attended the ceremony. He and Ruiz worked together to get the Honoring our PACT act to President Joe Biden's desk as well as pass legislation to protect deported Veterans.

​​“After years of advocating for toxic-exposed veterans, Dr. Ruiz's Distinguished Public Service Award is well-deserved,” said Ranking Member Takano.

“Thanks to his partnership and collaboration with the Committee and with Legionnaires, we were able to develop a meaningful and comprehensive law that expanded care to over 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans. I congratulate Dr. Ruiz on this impressive honor and look forward to continuing our fight to continue helping all who served," Takano further spoke.

You can view the ceremony here.

Article Topic Follows: California Politics

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Dillon Fuhrman

If you have any story ideas, reach out to him at dillon.fuhrman@kecytv.com.

Author Profile Photo

Adelmi Ruiz

Adelmi joined KYMA in 2022. Send your story ideas and more to Adelmi at: adelmi.ysita@kecytv.com

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content