The San Diego Chamber of Commerce honored Congresswoman Susan A. Davis (D-San Diego) with the Military Affairs Advisory Council Award (MAAC) on Friday, July 21, for her advocacy work on military issues.
Davis represents the 53rd District in San Diego, which stretches from Torrey Pines Park down to the U.S.-Mexico border and from the coast through Mission Valley to East County.
Davis was presented with the award at the 60th Annual Flag, General and Senior Officers Ball for her efforts and work on behalf of military families. Davis currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Davis has consistently supported military pay raises and worked for reduced-cost school meal programs for military families during her time in Washington, D.C. She also served for two years on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, where she worked for veterans’ rights by helping to secure home loan guarantees for veterans.
“She focuses on quality of life issues for military servicemembers,” said Aaron Hunter, spokesman for Davis’ office. “She’s also worked to close the pay gap between military and private sector.”
Hunter added that increasing military pay helps with retention and allows the military to keep skilled employees.
Davis has remained active in local military issues, including the fuel plume on the Naval Base Point Loma. Since the matter went public in February, Davis has attended local meetings and helped secure a commitment in Washington to fund a $135 million tank project to replace the aging infrastructure blamed for the fuel leaks.
Additionally, Davis recently amended the Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations bill (H.R. 5762), which added $1 million to the National Veterans Business Development Corporation (The Veterans Corporation). In the version of the bill presented to the House floor, the funding for the Veterans Corporation fell $500,000 to $1 million short of last year’s levels.
At the ball, Chairman of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Advisory Committee Pete Litrenta said Davis is “deeply committed not only to our military’s strength but to the health and well-being of our men and women in uniform”¦and her experiences as a military spouse have made her especially sensitive to the needs of military families,” according to an e-mail from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Flag, General and Senior Officers Ball is an annual event that was inaugurated in 1946 to recognize local military who served during World War II. The black tie event offers the community a chance to honor the military and those who have served the country.