The 2016 awards were presented on Friday, May 19, 2017 between 4:45 - 6:30 pm in Sacramento at the Sacramento Convention Center during California's Democratic Party Convention.
The 2016 awards were presented on Friday, May 19, 2017 between 4:45 - 6:30 pm in Sacramento at the Sacramento Convention Center during California's Democratic Party Convention.
2016 Award WINNERS
VETERAN OF THE YEAR: State Senator Josh Newman
While working as the Executive Director of the non-profit Armed Force to Work Force, Josh Newman volunteered his time as 1st Vice Chair of the Veterans Caucus and Chair of the Veteran Caucus's Legislative Committee, and won the 29th Senate District race in November 2016 against all odds giving California Senate Democrats the 2/3 super-majority they need to approve tax increases, overturn the Governor’s vetoes, suspend legislative rules, and pass emergency legislation without needing any support from Republicans.
Operation: Care & Comfort Co-Founder Julie DeMaria
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VETERANS ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR:
Operation: Care & Comfort The all-volunteer non-profit organization, Operation Care and Comfort (OCC), was created in 2003 and supports military troops stationed overseas and their families and veterans with the following:
A massive 97% of financial donations to OCC are spent on military troops and families; only 3% is spent for overhead (for storage unit, accounting services and annual audit). |
JOHN F. KENNEDY AWARD (Legislator of the Year): Congresswoman Julia Brownley
Congresswoman Brownley introduced the "Honor Our National Guard Act" (H.R. 6301) that would prohibit the recoupment of bonuses given to National Guard members, and would require the Department of Defense to repay those who had already returned their bonuses. While her bill did not make it out of Committee, the contents of her bill were incorporated into the Defense Authorization Bill that President Obama signed into law on 12/23/16; and,
Congresswoman Brownley introduced the "Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act" (H.R. 2915), which was signed into law by President Obama on 6/30/16. H.R. 2915 requires the VA to identify mental health and suicide prevention programs that are the most effective for at-risk women veterans. The suicide rate of women veterans is 6 times higher than non-veteran women, and for women ages 18-29, the rate is 12 times higher than non-veteran women yet the VA never researched the problems and solutions for women veterans; only for men veterans.
Congresswoman Brownley introduced the "Honor Our National Guard Act" (H.R. 6301) that would prohibit the recoupment of bonuses given to National Guard members, and would require the Department of Defense to repay those who had already returned their bonuses. While her bill did not make it out of Committee, the contents of her bill were incorporated into the Defense Authorization Bill that President Obama signed into law on 12/23/16; and,
Congresswoman Brownley introduced the "Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act" (H.R. 2915), which was signed into law by President Obama on 6/30/16. H.R. 2915 requires the VA to identify mental health and suicide prevention programs that are the most effective for at-risk women veterans. The suicide rate of women veterans is 6 times higher than non-veteran women, and for women ages 18-29, the rate is 12 times higher than non-veteran women yet the VA never researched the problems and solutions for women veterans; only for men veterans.
CAUCUS CHAIR AWARD: Barbi Appelquist
As a Co-Director of California Veterans and Military Families for Hillary, Barbi Appelquist's leadership over the course of the primary and general election in 2016 resulted in the following:
- Increased volunteers from 30 to almost 300 within a few months (Barbi is a volunteer also)
As a Co-Director of California Veterans and Military Families for Hillary, Barbi Appelquist's leadership over the course of the primary and general election in 2016 resulted in the following:
- Increased volunteers from 30 to almost 300 within a few months (Barbi is a volunteer also)
- - Organized a convoy of approximately 60 volunteers from across California to drive/fly to Henderson, Nevada for GOTEV (Get Out The Early Vote), knocking on over 2000 doors in one weekend; this helped Hillary win Nevada
- - Provided 4 grassroots campaign training sessions for veterans & military families across California
- - Targeted veteran and military family messaging
- - Sent weekly updates to volunteers about general campaign updates
Award descriptions and criteria
ANNUAL AWARDS:
(1) VETERAN OF THE YEAR - This award is given annually to the Veteran deemed by a majority vote of the Executive Board to have served the mission of the Caucus, directly or indirectly, with circumstances found to have been meritorious and distinguished in nature.
(2) VETERANS ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR - This award is given annually to the Veterans Organization deemed by a majority vote of the Executive Board to have served the mission of the Caucus, directly or indirectly, with circumstances found to have been meritorious and distinguished in nature.
(3) JOHN F. KENNEDY AWARD - This award is given annually to the Elected Official deemed by a majority vote of the Executive Board to have served the mission of the Caucus, directly or indirectly, with circumstances found to have been meritorious and distinguished in nature.
(4) HARRY TRUMAN AWARD - This award is given annually to the Civilian Appointed Official deemed by a majority vote of the Executive Board to have served the mission of the Caucus, directly or indirectly, with circumstances found to have been meritorious and distinguished in nature.
(5) CHAIR’S AWARD - This award is given annually to the person or organization deemed by the Chair of the Caucus to have served the mission of the Caucus, directly or indirectly, with circumstances found to have been meritorious and distinguished in nature.
PAST RECIPIENTS OF AWARDS
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2015 Veterans Caucus Awards:
2015 Veteran of the Year - KIM MARTINEZ 2015 Veterans Organization of the Year - NO EXCEPTIONS 2015 John F. Kennedy Award - SECRETARY OF STATE ALEX PADILLA 2015 Caucus Chair's Award - CHEF BASIL KIMBREW 2014 Veterans Caucus Awards: 2014 Veteran of the Year - SAGE FOX 2014 Veterans Organization of the Year - CALIFORNIA MILITARY DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 2014 John F. Kennedy Award - SECRETARY OF STATE ALEX PADILLA 2014 Harry Truman Award - CALVET DEPUTY SECRETARY MIRTHA VILLARREAL-YOUNGER 2014 Caucus Chair's Award - CHRIS WILSON OF CALVET 2013 Veterans Caucus Awards: 2013 Veteran of the Year - KATE WEBER 2013 Veterans Organization of the Year - PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS 2013 John F. Kennedy Award - JACKIE SPEIER 2013 Harry Truman Award - DEPUTY SECRETARY LINDSEY SIN 2013 Caucus Chair's Award - SHAWN TERRIS |
Certificate of Achievements:
Ian Arnold, 2014 Ralph Cansimbe, 2014 Scott Dick, 2013 Bob Handy, 2013 Roger Hart, 2013 Emma Harper, 2014 Donald Hill, 2014 Dana Little, 2014 Reid Milburn, 2014 Apolonio Munoz, 2014 Karen Marie Otter, 2013 Robert Padilla, 2014 Mister Phillips, 2013 Kelly Rivas, 2014 Sacramento LGBT Center, 2013 Paul Stichick, 2014 Shawn Terris, 2013 Brian Travis, 2014 Cres Vellucci, 2014 |
