NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Steve Halvonik 717-787-1381
Pennsylvania Veterans’ Breakfasts Report

Auditor General Jack Wagner Recognized for His Role In Improving Services to Pennsylvania Military Veterans

HARRISBURG (Jan. 11, 2008) – Pennsylvania military veteran leaders yesterday presented Auditor General Jack Wagner with a plaque for helping to get a bill that improved veterans’ services signed into law.

The leaders personally presented the plaque to Wagner in the auditor general’s office in Harrisburg. The “Outstanding Service Award” from the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council recognizes Wagner’s “commitment to our Commonwealth’s veterans population, steadfast support of veterans and the issues that affect them and continued support for the Service Officer Funding initiative.”

“Throughout my public service career, I have dedicated myself to advocating for veterans and making their needs my priority,” said Wagner, a former U.S. Marine who was awarded the Purple Heart for combat service during the Vietnam War. “Now, more than ever, we must reach out to veterans in need. The purpose of this new law is to meet that goal. I am grateful to be recognized by these important veteran organizations.”

Wagner strongly supported Senate Bill 915 (now Act 66 of 2007) by playing a key role in bringing Gov. Rendell and the various veteran groups together, including the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council, to gain vital support for this priority policy that provides support for valuable veterans' outreach services.

The law is designed to help Pennsylvania veterans and their families better access federal programs and benefits by establishing a grant program for veterans’ service organizations to fund veteran service officers that counsel and represent veterans. Together, they work to acquire healthcare and related benefits. Strong support for the bill came from Veterans of Foreign Wars, Pennsylvania American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Pennsylvania American Veterans and other veteran organizations.

This is the latest award that Wagner has received for his efforts to support veterans. He has also received the Veteran of the Year award from the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program and the Outstanding Legislator Award from the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In 2005, Wagner led a series of veterans’ breakfasts around the commonwealth to hear concerns of Pennsylvania veterans and supplied a report summarizing the meetings to Gov. Rendell. He serves on the board of the Veterans Leadership Program. Wagner also belongs to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans Institute, and Veterans Political Action Committee.

Wagner holds an annual golf tournament every July to benefit Sharing & Caring Inc., a volunteer organization that arranges for veterans from Western Pennsylvania, Northeast Ohio and Northern West Virginia to leave their hospital environments and head to Pittsburgh for a day of relaxation on an annual boat ride. Nearly 1,000 veterans, many confined to wheelchairs, enjoy a three-hour cruise including a memorial service and useful gifts for veterans.

Auditor General Jack Wagner is responsible for ensuring that all state money is spent legally and properly. He is the Commonwealth’s elected independent fiscal watchdog, conducting financial audits, performance audits and special investigations. The Department of the Auditor General conducts approximately 5,000 audits per year. To learn more about the Department of the Auditor General, taxpayers are encouraged to visit the department’s Web site at www.auditorgen.state.pa.us.

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