NORTH COAST, Calif. – Sen. Mike McGuire was honored by the recent announcement that he has been chosen by AMVETS as 2015 Legislator of the Year.

He was selected, along with Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) “for their steadfast support of military veterans, active service personnel, and their families.”

“I am honored by the recognition from AMVETS. The organization does incredible work fighting on behalf of those who fought so hard for all of us, our nation’s veterans. I’m proud to work with AMVETS and veteran service organizations all throughout this great state to ensure our heroes have the resources they need to thrive,” McGuire said.

The AMVETS Legislator of the Year honor is awarded to a select group of legislators who have gone the extra mile to support California’s veterans and their families.

In 2015, Sen. McGuire successfully authored SB 685, which expanded the ability of veteran service organizations from across California to broaden their community building and fundraising capabilities.

These fundraising initiatives help pay for services and programs that benefit the health and well-being of local veterans. McGuire worked hand in hand with veteran service organizations to get the bill passed, including AMVETS.

“Sen. McGuire gets it. He immediately understood the challenges facing veterans halls and the need for veterans service organizations to maintain their viability. I have known Mike for a long time and he has always supported veterans when he was on the Healdsburg City Council and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. It was a pleasure working with him and his staff on SB 685 and we look forward to continuing that relationship going forward in service to our veterans,” said Lorraine Plass, Team AMVETS Legislative Committee chair.

McGuire has a long record of supporting California’s veterans.

He brought forward the policy that made Sonoma County one of the first in the state to be designated a Purple Heart County.

He also led the effort that provided all Sonoma County veterans with free access to public transit. The measure, the first in California, provides thousands of local veterans with access to reliable transportation which connects veterans to jobs, medical care and desperately needed services via Sonoma County Transit.

The Legislator of the Year Awards will be presented at the Team AMVETS’ Annual Day at the Capitol event on April 6.