WASHINGTON – Republican Rep. John Kline is one of seven 2015 recipients of the Charles Dick Medal of Merit from the National Guard Association of the United States. The honor is given out annually to several state or national elected officials who show strong support for the National Guard, according to the National Guard's wesbite.
Kline, a Marine Corps veteran, has championed efforts such as making affordable health care benefits accessible for veterans and introducing legislation to give legal resources to victims of sexual assault in the National Guard and Reserve.
"I am humbled and honored to receive this award and will continue to fight for those who heroically fight for our country and our freedom," Kline said in a press release.
Kline is the fifth Minnesota lawmaker to receive the honor. He is preceded by Democratic Rep. Tim Walz, who is the National Guard Caucus co-chair and a National Guard veteran, who received the award last year and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2006.
Former Minnesota Reps. Martin Sabo and Gil Gutnecht also received the award in 1995 and 2001 respectively.
