River Bend Times

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has named Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks as its Legislator of the Year for 2024. The award, which honors significant legislative efforts to improve the lives of post-9/11 wounded, ill, and injured veterans, was presented to Rep. Miller-Meeks at WWP’s annual Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner on September 10.

"I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Wounded Warrior Project. Supporting our veterans is both a duty and a privilege,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “As a veteran now serving in Congress as Chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health, I’ve worked to make the VA healthcare system more accessible and accountable and to improve VA services. I remain committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served our nation."

“Rep. Miller-Meeks is a veteran herself, having served 24 years in the US Army Reserve, so it’s only natural she would be such a strong supporter of the veteran community,” said Wounded Warrior Project CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walter Piatt. “But her service and commitment have gone above and beyond, time and time again, and her willingness to lead on important health issues will benefit thousands of veterans now and into the future. WWP is grateful for her commitment and is honored to recognize her with our Legislator of the Year award.”

Rep. Miller-Meeks has used her position as Chairwoman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Health to hold hearings and spotlight critical issues such as substance use disorder, care coordination, and emerging mental health therapies among many others. She has also sponsored pivotal legislation that would improve access to residential rehabilitation treatment programs, expand long-term care options, and increase the availability of non-opioid pain management medications.

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition.