TAPS Honors Congressmen Mark Takano and Mike Bost
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 29, 2022
ARLINGTON, Virginia. –The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) honored Congressmen Mark Takano and Mike Bost with the TAPS Honor Guard Congressional Award at its Honor Guard Gala Luncheon at The Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., on April 27, 2022.
Congressman Takano, Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, received the TAPS Honor Guard Congressional Award for his leadership in support of surviving military families and toxic exposure legislation. As the leading voice for the families of those who died as a result of illnesses connected to toxic exposure, TAPS is grateful to Chairman Takano for introducing the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. TAPS strongly supports this legislation, whichpassed the House in March, that incorporates key pieces of burn pit, toxic exposure, and Agent Orange legislation introduced in the 117th Congress.
Upon receiving the award, Chairman Takano stated, “As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I understand our duty to care for both our veterans and the family members they leave behind. That is why I’m so grateful for the integral bereavement support TAPS provides and the guiding perspective and insight it offers the Committee. I am humbled to accept the TAPS Honor Guard Congressional Award."
Congressman Bost, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, was awarded the TAPS Honor Guard Congressional Award for his leadership to ensure those impacted by toxic exposure during their military service receive the health care and benefits they have earned. Ranking Member Bost has also worked to ensure that veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors using GI Bill benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic were not penalized as a result of their schools transitioning to online learning.
Ranking Member Bost shared, “I am truly humbled to receive the TAPS Honor Guard Congressional Award. Supporting the men, women, and children who lost loved ones as a result of their service to our country is a sacred duty, and TAPS sets the gold standard. I am honored by this recognition and will never stop working on behalf of servicemembers, veterans, and the families and survivors that serve and sacrifice alongside them.”
Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder, commented, “We are fortunate to have such strong advocates and leaders in the House of Representatives who are committed to ensuring we do right by those whose life has included selfless service to our nation, and if they die, their families are taken care of regardless of location or manner of death. On behalf of a grateful nation, the families we serve, and all those who have served and died, we are honored to present Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost with the 2022 TAPS Honor Guard Congressional Award.”
To request an interview with TAPS President and Founder, Bonnie Carroll, or a surviving family member, please email media@taps.org; or call (202) 588-TAPS (8277) to speak with someone on the TAPS Communications team.
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ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to all those grieving the death of a military loved one through peer-based emotional support, connections with grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, all at no cost to surviving families. For more information, please visit TAPS.org or call 202.588.TAPS (8277).