Jacobsen selected as ‘Outstanding Legislator of the Year’ by veterans

OLYMPIA – Affirming the spirit of service embodied by our armed forces, Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, has been selected as “Legislator of the Year” by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and the governor’s Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee. Each year these organizations recognize one state senator and one state representative for outstanding contributions to Washington’s veterans and their families.

“There has been a renewed interest in our veterans, both by the public and the Legislature,” Jacobsen said. “It’s about time we recognized vets for the sacrifices they’ve made.”

This year, Jacobson sponsored Senate Bill 5164, which requires the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to help enrollees in the Veterans Conservation Corps obtain jobs in conservation programs and projects that restore and maintain Washington’s natural habitat. The bill passed with unanimous support in both houses, and went into effect in July.

Another bill by Jacobsen, SB 5280, would establish a “Dollars for Military Scholars” program that would provide grants for active or retired military members, as well as their spouses and dependents. Although the measure did not pass, Jacobsen plans to promote it again in the session that convenes Jan. 14. 2008.

Jacobsen’s work linking veterans struggling with pos-traumatic stress disorder to environmental restoration has drawn considerable attention.

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