Bill aims to rename Atlanta VA regional office after the late Sen. Johnny Isakson

ATLANTA — Sens. Jon Ossoff and Roy Blunt have introduced a bill that would rename the Atlanta VA regional office after the late Sen. Johnny Isakson.

Isakson died in December at age 76.

Isakson’s political career in Georgia spanned more than four decades, with his serving as U.S. senator from 2005 until he stepped down in 2019 because of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

One of the biggest things Isakson was known for was his support of veterans’ issues.

Following his graduation from UGA in 1966, Isakson entered the Georgia National Guard, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant.

Isakson later become a member of the Senate VA Committee. He played a key role in reforming veterans’ health care and benefits and made the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs more responsive to veterans’ needs.

He chaired the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs from 2015 to 2019.

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“Johnny Isakson worked tirelessly to get things done, especially when it came to his fellow veterans,” Blunt said. “As chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, he led efforts to increase accountability at the VA to make sure veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned. Naming the Atlanta Regional Office after him would be a fitting way to honor his innumerable contributions to veterans, the state of Georgia, and our country.”

“Our veterans deserve the best, and Senator Isakson always fought for them. Renaming the Atlanta VA in his honor will inspire us to stand up for Georgia’s veterans every day like Senator Isakson did,” Ossoff said.

The legislation was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Jon Tester, Jerry Moran and Rob Portman.

“Senator Isakson cared deeply for Georgia’s veterans, and it is only fitting that we recognize his commitment to our servicemembers by renaming the Atlanta regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs in his honor,” Warnock said.

There is no word yet on when the Senator Johnny Isakson VA Regional Office Act of 2022 will be voted on.

RELATED NEWS:

Former Georgia U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson dies at age 76 Isakson passed away Sunday morning at age 76 after battling Parkinson’s disease.

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