08.31.19

Hoeven Receives Top Honor From National Guard Association of the United States

Senator Presented with 2019 Harry S. Truman Award for Leadership on National Guard Issues

DENVER, COLO. – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, today received the National Guard Association of the United States’ (NGAUS) Harry S. Truman Award for 2019, the association’s highest honor, in recognition of his leadership providing National Guard members, veterans and their families with the support they deserve. 

The award was presented at the NGAUS General Conference and Exhibition in Denver, Colorado, attended by more than 2,000 Army and Air National Guard officers from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia as well as family members, industry representatives and local officials.   

“Our Guard is consistently among the finest of our nation’s servicemembers. It’s imperative that Congress remain committed to supporting those who protect our freedoms wherever and whenever they are called to serve,” said Hoeven. “Our Guard members work to protect our way of life every day, at home and abroad, and we will continue our efforts to provide our servicemembers with the tools and resources to help ensure they are successful in their missions. I am deeply honored to receive this award and I look forward to continuing to work together on these shared priorities.” 

“The Truman Award is reserved for people in key leadership positions who have a significant record of accomplishment in protecting American lives and values,” said retired Brig. Gen. J. Roy Robinson, the NGAUS president. “Previous recipients include U.S. presidents, longstanding members of Congress, cabinet-level secretaries and senior general officers. Sen. John Hoeven is worthy of inclusion in this special collection of patriots.”   

Co-receiving the award with Senator Hoeven this year is Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Hoeven helped introduce the TRICARE Reserve Improvement Act with Manchin and Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.). The bipartisan legislation would extend TRICARE Reserve Select eligibility to all Guardsmen and Reservists, including those who are currently ineligible because they are also federal employees who can enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program.    

Hoeven is also advancing the Montgomery GI Bill Parity Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation introduced with Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). This legislation would enable members of the Guard and Reserve to concurrently use Federal Tuition Assistance programs and GI Bill benefits to fund their education, similar to active duty servicemembers.

Through his work as a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has helped secure important military construction projects for the North Dakota National Guard, including $32 million for a new Readiness Center in Fargo. 

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