Rep. Cisneros Statement on Legion Act Being Signed Into Law
Statement
This week, Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39), released a statement after the President signed the bipartisan & bicameral LEGION Act into law:
"As a Navy Veteran and proud member of the American Legion, I am honored to have joined Representatives Correa and Cline, as well as Senators Sinema and Tillis on this legislation to open up membership in the American Legion to all veterans and glad that the President signed this important bill into law," said Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-39). "Veterans and their families have made incredible sacrifices for our country, and their service should not be defined by a period in time or some unrecognized war era. All veterans are deserving of recognition and membership in the American Legion, and our legislation will ensure these veterans have the opportunity to gain those benefits."
This law will expand membership criteria of the American Legion to include all honorably discharged veterans who served during unrecognized times of war since World War II. It will ensure that thousands of brave American veterans who defended their country during unrecognized times of war can access the full benefits of American Legion membership.
"The problem was that there are 12 war eras the U.S. doesn't recognize where American troops were killed," said Ed Grimsley, commander of The American Legion's Department of California. "Those veterans who survived weren't eligible to join their brothers and sisters in continued service to our country. Now they are."
Background
Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion works to serve the community, state and nation through its four pillars of Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, Americanism, Children & Youth, and National Security. Chartered the same year, the Department of California works to serve the roughly 2 million veterans currently living in the state.
Rep. Cisneros is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Veterans Affairs Committee.
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