The entire Georgia delegation came together this week to honor the late U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson. Georgia’s two Senators and 14 members of Congress are pushing legislation that would name the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Atlanta after Isakson, who passed away in December of 2021. Companion bills were introduced in the U.S. House and Senate.
“Senator Isakson was a true titan of public service,” said Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03). “For decades, Johnny faithfully served the people of Georgia – and our nation – with compassionate and honest leadership. Johnny lived by his motto: There are only two kinds of people, friends and future friends.
“As the former Chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, his passion to promote and strengthen policies that brought care and support to our nation’s veterans was second to none.” Ferguson added. “I am proud to join my Georgia colleagues on this legislation to forever enshrine Senator Isakson’s name and legacy on the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Atlanta.”
In addition to introducing the legislation, Georgia’s Congressional Delegation wrote a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives’ and U.S. Senate’s Veterans’ Affairs Committees urging them to support the effort to name the VA facility after Senator Isakson.
The letter highlighted Isakson’s career, and the impact he had on all Georgians.
“Senator Johnny Isakson served veterans, the state of Georgia, and the United States throughout his life. A native of Atlanta and a graduate of the University of Georgia, Senator Isakson served
in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966 to 1972. Following a successful business career, he served in the Georgia General Assembly and Georgia State Senate for nearly two decades, served as Chairman of the State Board of Education and was elected to the United States House of Representatives.”
The delegation also noted in the letter that, “In 2004, Senator Isakson was elected to the United States Senate. During his fifteen years in the chamber, he earned a reputation for courtesy, dignity, and kindness, building relationships across the aisle for the good of the country. Eventually, Senator Isakson rose to Chair the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a role in which he championed important reforms to improve the quality and accessibility of services for our nation’s military veterans. We believe that Senator Isakson’s service to the veterans of Georgia warrants this tremendous recognition, and that naming this facility is a fitting tribute to his legacy.”
