Muri receives award from Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
'Outstanding Legislator' is the title of the award given to state Rep. Dick Muri, R-Steilacoom by the Washington State Department of Veteran's Affairs (WSDVA) for his work at the legislature on behalf of the state's approximately 700,000 military veterans. The WSDVA administers a variety of benefits and services to veterans and their families, including health care, education and training, mental health counseling, and employment services.
The award was presented to Muri by Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos, director of the WSDVA at the Kiwanis Club of Steilacoom meeting this past Thursday morning. A memo issued by the WSDVA stated he “received the award for the multitude of resolutions and laws that he has sponsored or co-sponsored for the benefit of veterans.”
Muri represents the 28th District which includes Joint Base Lewis McChord. The district is home for many veterans in Washington state. He is also a member the state's Veteran and Military Affairs Joint House and Senate Committee. In 2015 he sponsored House Bill 1241 that would have given employers a tax credit for hiring unemployed veterans. And co-sponsored Senate House Bill 1052, signed into law, requiring universities and colleges to make early course registration available to veterans, national guard members, and their spouses.
“The real recognition should be directed toward our veterans and their families who have made tremendous sacrifices to serve our country in peace and wartime, and all the people that work hard to ensure they get the services they need,” said Muri, R-Steilacoom. “I'm glad to be an ally and a voice for them in the state legislature.”
