Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Lucy McBath (GA-06) joined Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12) and all members of Georgia’s U.S. House of Representatives delegation in introducing a bill that would name the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Atlanta after the late U.S. Senator from Georgia, Johnny Isakson, who passed away in December 2021. Senators Jon Ossoff (GA) and Roy Blunt (MO) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

“Senator Isakson spent decades of his life in service to Georgia and our great nation,” McBath said. “I am privileged to represent the same community he once did as a member of Congress. Senator Isakson’s career left an unforgettable mark on the U.S. Senate and the country as a whole. We shared a passion to make Georgia the best place to live and raise a family, and a dedication to upholding our nation’s commitment to the men and women who served in our armed forces. I am proud to join with my colleagues to support this bill that salutes his legacy of service to Georgia veterans.”

“I had the pleasure of serving with Johnny Isakson for many years in the Georgia Legislature and the U.S. Congress,” said Congressman Bishop. “He was a compassionate and tireless champion for our veterans and military families. He worked across the aisle to ensure that we honored the sacrifice of those who have served in America’s armed forces. He retired from Congress as Chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Naming the Veterans Affairs Atlanta regional office after him is a fitting tribute to this proud son of Georgia. I am proud to lead this bill with Congressman Allen to honor Senator Isakson’s legacy with the support of Georgia’s entire U.S. House delegation.”

“Senator Isakson’s legacy as a champion for America’s veterans was forged over a 45-year career in public service that concluded with serving as chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the United States Senate,” said Congressman Allen. “Throughout his life, Sen. Isakson distinguished himself as a man of character with an unmatched dedication to the people of Georgia, and I am proud to co-lead this legislation to dedicate the VA’s Regional Office in Atlanta as a living monument to his tireless work in advancing policies that benefit our nation’s veterans.”

In addition to introducing the legislation, Georgia’s Congressional Delegation wrote a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives’ and U.S. Senate’s Veterans’ Affairs Committees urging them to support the effort to name the VA facility after Senator Isakson.

In their letter, the delegation noted that, “In 2004, Senator Isakson was elected to the United States Senate. During his fifteen years in the chamber, he earned a reputation for courtesy, dignity, and kindness, building relationships across the aisle for the good of the country. Eventually, Senator Isakson rose to Chair the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a role in which he championed important reforms to improve the quality and accessibility of services for our nation’s military veterans. We believe that Senator Isakson’s service to the veterans of Georgia warrants this tremendous recognition, and that naming this facility is a fitting tribute to his legacy.”

The complete delegation letter can be read here.