Anderson receives Bravo-Zulu award

SACRAMENTO – The American GI Forum of California, a congressionally chartered Hispanic veterans and civil rights organization, awarded state Sen. Joel Anderson, R-CA 38, with the Bravo-Zulu award, which is given to a legislator whose efforts and engagement have led to the betterment of the veterans throughout the state.

"Sen. Anderson's exceptional leadership on behalf of veterans has led him to earning this great honor. Each year, we only recognize one senator and one assemblymember. Our veteran community will miss the senator's advocacy for leading the way in carrying our legislation," the American GI Forum of California's state Commander Frederick Romero said.

Pete Conaty, a United States Army Retired Lieutenant Colonel who is also a veterans' advocate, said, "Sen. Anderson is a unique legislator. Four years ago, when all hope was lost for a veteran benefits bill (Assembly Bill 13 from 2014) that impacted the 78,000 veterans in California universities and colleges, Sen. Anderson amended over 20 different bills to resurrect the bill that would have otherwise died. No other legislator has been as laser-focused as Sen. Anderson, and this type of leadership is why Sen. Anderson has received so many awards from veterans' organizations."

"I am deeply honored to receive an award from those that have given so much to our country to ensure our liberty," Anderson said.

Anderson has also received the following veteran organizations Legislative of the Year awards: Veterans of Foreign Wars Carter-Smith Post 5867 Letter of Honor 2009; American Legion's California Legislator of the Year 2010; California Association of County Veterans Service Officers' Special Certificate of Appreciation 2010; American Veterans' California Legislator of the Year 2012; California Association of County Veterans Service Officers Special Certificate of Appreciation 2012; Veterans of Foreign Wars' California Legislator of the Year 2014-2015; The American Legion San Diego, District 22, Certificate of Appreciation 2015; California Association of County Veterans Service Officers' Special Certificate of Appreciation 2015; California State Commanders Veterans Council's Legislator of the Year 2015; Vietnam Veterans of America California State Council's Legislator of the Year 2015; American Legion's California Legislator of the Year 2016; Blue Star Families Certificate of Appreciation 2017; California Council of Chapters Military Officers Association of American Legislator of the Year 2017 and Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Chapter Recognition and Honorary Membership 2018.

Submitted by Sen. Joel Anderson's office.