Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Wenstrup (OH-02), Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, was awarded the George "Buck" Gillispie Congressional Award by the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF) in recognition of his advocacy for sensory disabled American veterans, and for his work on behalf of all of the nation’s veterans.

Congressman Wenstrup with John Fales, President of the Blinded American Veterans Foundation.

“’To provide for them who have borne the battle, their widows, and their orphans’ – is a sacred charge to all Americans,” said Chairman Wenstrup. “One of the main reasons I left my medical practice to come serve here in Congress was to help uphold that charge. The Blinded American Veterans Foundation is dedicated to making the transition into civilian life a little easier for those who have lost their sight or are visually impaired, by assisting with rehabilitation and re-employment, and I look forward to continuing to partner with them. Lending my voice to the fight to protect and provide for our nation’s heroes once they come home is not just a duty, but an honor.”

“We are so pleased to thank Representative Brad Wenstrup for his support for our nation’s veterans,” said Blinded American Veterans Foundation President John Fales Jr.

The Annual Congressional Award for Meritorious Service is presented to lawmakers who, in the opinion of BAVF, have made significant contributions toward furthering the Foundation’s efforts on behalf of blinded and sensory disabled American veterans. This award is named in honor of the late “Buck” Gillispie, a blinded World War II veteran who devoted more than 40 years of service toward efforts to aid in the rehabilitation of visually impaired veterans.

Learn more about the George “Buck” Gillispie Congressional Award as well as the Blinded American Veterans Foundation, here.

# # #