SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) received the Legislator of the Year Award at the 88th Annual American Legion Department of California Convention, held at the Fresno Convention Center.

“Our veterans have fought for us in every corner of the world,” said Assemblywoman Parra. “The sacrifices they have made are extraordinary and I will always be in their corner. I am honored to receive this award and look forward to continuing my work on behalf of California’s veteran community.”

Assemblywoman Parra, a former Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, is authoring the following veterans affairs legislation this year:

1. AB 2085, which would ensure more returning military servicemen and women are given assistance through the Military Family Relief Fund. If returning military personnel experience a drop in income of 10% or more from the amount received prior to deployment, they will be eligible for grants through this fund. Current disbursement of these funds is contingent on a 30% or greater loss of income.



2. AB 2586, which updates current law to allow all veterans convicted of a crime, as opposed to only Vietnam Veterans, who have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to be diverted into treatment programs as opposed to being incarcerated, only when certain criteria are met and at the discretion of the presiding Judge.

Assemblywoman Parra has previously been recognized for her work on military and veterans affairs by the California National Guard, which presented her with its highest civilian honor, The Order of California Public Service Award (2003), and by the California Association of County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO), which named her as its Legislator of the Year in 2004.