“Sonny Montgomery’s contributions to the well-being of his fellow veterans will long stand as a tribute to his commitment to those who donned the uniform.  He was a special friend to VVA,” Rowan said.  “He played a pivotal role in granting VVA a congressional charter.  Had it not been for his efforts in 1984 as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, others in Congress who did not embrace our advocacy and our goals might have prevailed.” 

The crowning legislative achievement of Montgomery’s 13-year tenure as chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee is the education bill named in his honor, which has made higher education affordable for millions of veterans.  “Perhaps as important,” Rowan said, “was his steadfast belief that providing for veterans and their families should not be a partisan undertaking or dependent upon ‘available’ funding. 

“Sonny Montgomery will be remembered in death as he was known in life, as ‘Mr. Veteran.’”

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