Rep. Panetta Awarded U.S. Navy’s Highest Civilian Honor
Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), a veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve, was awarded the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor the Navy can bestow upon a civilian. The award recognizes Rep. Panetta’s steadfast support of the United States Navy and Marine Corps during his tenure in Congress and his commitment to ensuring that service members have the resources, training, and readiness necessary to protect the nation’s interests.
Rep. Panetta served in the U.S. Navy, Reserve Component, as an Intelligence Officer. In 2007, Rep. Panetta was mobilized to active duty and deployed with a special operations task force to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Based on his meritorious service in a combat zone, then Lieutenant Panetta and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Upon returning home, Rep. Panetta continued his advocacy for our men and women who served in uniform by working with homeless veterans at the Veterans Transition Center, and leading the effort to establish the first Veterans Treatment Court in Monterey County, as well as the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery on the former Fort Ord.
As the U.S. Representative for California’s 19th Congressional District, Rep. Panetta works hard to support and bolster the 17 defense installations, including five naval installations, in his district. Those installations include the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Support Activity Monterey, Fleet Meteorology Center, Naval Research Lab, Coast Guard Station Monterey. The installations of California’s 19th Congressional District boast more than 15,000 military personnel and their families and help boost the local economy by $2.6 billion each year.
“Our nation must always serve those who serve us and the military families who shoulder immense sacrifices,” said Rep. Panetta. “California’s 19th Congressional District has long boasted a strong military tradition and presence, which I am proud to carry on and support as a veteran in Congress advocating for the quality of life and support needed by our men and women in uniform. I’m honored to receive this recognition from the U.S. Navy and look forward to the work ahead to bolster our military, national security, and all of those committed to serving our nation.”
In Congress, as well as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Panetta has led bipartisan efforts to strengthen military readiness, enhance servicemember benefits, tackle military hunger, address subpar housing for military families, and advance the Navy and Marine Corps’ operational capabilities.
In the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Rep. Panetta secured funding for the new Naval Innovation Center in Monterey, established a pilot program to send noncommissioned officers from the Army and Navy to the Naval Postgraduate School, and directed a regenerative grazing pilot program and Navy and Marine Corps installations, among other key quality of life provisions.
Through previous NDAAs, Rep. Panetta has had several bills signed into law including; the Smart Act which opened new advanced degree opportunities at NPS for enlisted servicemembers, Military Hunger Prevention Act which created a Basic Needs Allowance for military servicemembers with incomes below the poverty line, DLI Act which allowed the Defense Language Institute to confer Bachelor degrees to graduates, Better Military Housing Act which created a tenant bill of rights for residents of privatized military housing, and more.
In 2024, Rep. Panetta also authored and passed into law legislation to honor Everett Alvarez, Jr. who grew up on the Central Coast of California and demonstrated immense courage and resilience as our nation’s second longest serving prisoner of war, with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to American history and culture.
The Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award is presented to individuals who have provided exceptionally distinguished service that significantly impacts the Department of the Navy as a whole.
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