November 2019  

Staff Sargeant Travis W. Atkins

TOP STORY - SENATE PASSES MY BILL TO HONOR STAFF SGT. TRAVIS ATKINS 

• On November 21st I was pleased to see that the Senate passed my bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bozeman, Montana, as the "Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic."  

• A Bozeman native and American hero, Staff Sgt. Atkins saved the lives of three of his fellow soldiers in 2007 when he tackled and pinned down a suicide bomber who detonated a bomb. America can never forget the men and women, like Travis, who make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and in defense of our flag. I had the privilege of standing with Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins’ mom, dad, and son as President Trump posthumously awarded him our nation’s highest distinction - the Medal of Honor.

BUILDING SUPPORT FOR MY BILL TO PROTECT VETERANS FROM FRAUD AND SCAM ARTISTS

• Thanks to my colleague Senator Joni Ernst (IA) for supporting my bill the FREE Veterans Act. Together, we will hold these scammers accountable and protect our veterans from these unscrupulous practices!        

SUPPORTING THE MILITARY, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES

• On November 8th, I had the opportunity to attend the promotion ceremony for CWO4 Lance Heppner (Helena) Montana National Guard at the Lincoln Memorial.

• On November 13th, I met with Commissioner Joe Briggs (Cascade County) to discuss the C130 basing issues and the Big Sky Country Heritage Area.

• On November 21st, I had breakfast with Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy at the Pentagon to discuss Army modernization, recruiting and technology challenges.  

Meeting with the Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy.

RECENTLY INTRODUCED VETERANS' LEGISLATION

• To enhance the Troops-to-Teach Program and allow for public- private partnerships with the Departments of Defense and Education, I cosponsored Senator Tim Scott's (SC) S. 2248 HEROES Act.

• To help military installations provide full individual military funeral honors for all veterans upon their request, I cosponsored Senator Dan Sullivan's (AK) S.1390 Creig Sharp Funeral Honors for Veterans Act.

• To honor the sacrifices of Purple Heart recipients, I cosponsored Senator Charles Schumer's (NY) S. 2815 to authorize the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
 
• To designate the week of November 4 - 8, 2019, as "National Veterans Small Business Week", I cosponsored Senator Marco Rubio's (FL) S.Res. 413.
 
• In order to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II, I cosponsored Senator Joni Ernst's (IA) S. 1757.  


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