Yesterday, Sen. Johnny Isakson received the inaugural “John S. McCain Service to Country” award for his national service. He was recognized for “his life-long devotion to citizen and public service and for his exceptional leadership in advancing national service to solve community problems.”
Some highlights:
- Champion of both the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps:
- 2011 sponsorship of the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act to provide better security and protection measures for Peace Corps volunteers.
- In 2018, Isakson also worked on the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018, which built on these reforms to further protect Peace Corps volunteers. Both measures were enacted into law.
- Also in 2018, Isakson introduced legislation with Senator Michael Bennet, D-Colo., to exclude the AmeriCorps education award from federal income tax and help ensure that the post-service scholarship remains a valuable and compelling incentive for young people to serve.
- Work for U.S. Veterans as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs’ Committee – He was recognized his “commitment to making sure America takes care of those who dedicate their lives to serving our country extends to veterans too.” It was noted that “he is working to improve the quality of care at [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] healthcare facilities, protect veterans’ benefits, and provide access to education and training to help veterans make a successful transition to civilian life.”
Sen. Isakson:
“John McCain’s life and work left an indelible mark on history, and I learned a lot from him. He was ferocious in his commitment to his life, to his friends, to his country and to others who needed help. He meant a lot to me, and I’m incredibly honored to have earned this prestigious award named in his honor from an organization that is so highly respected. To have a member of the McCain family, Ben Domenech, present this special award was particularly meaningful to me. We are in this together for the betterment of mankind. We are better people when we give a little bit of ourselves to others.”