U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani Honors Local Veterans at his Fourth Veteran Servant Leader Award Ceremony

Tucson, AZ - Today, U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani hosted his fourth Veteran Servant Leader Award Ceremony, honoring 32 local veterans who served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. The award recognizes veterans from Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Pima Counties for their continued service to their communities after leaving the Armed Forces. Each recipient received a Veteran Servant Leader Award certificate and a congressional challenge coin from the Representative.

"Our local veterans truly represent the very best of our great nation, faithfully answering the call to serve our great nation," said Rep. Juan Ciscomani. "It was an incredible honor to host my fourth Veteran Servant Leader Award Ceremony, where I had the privilege to recognize these outstanding men and women for their continued impact long after their military service had concluded. Southern Arizona is a more prosperous place because of their tremendous leadership that continues to move our community forward every day."

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Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District is home to nearly 80,000 veterans, and the Representative’s work centers on serving their interests on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, where he plays a unique role in shaping federal policy and funding for our nation’s veterans.

Since taking office in 2023, Ciscomani has introduced 18 pieces of veterans-focused legislation,  7 of them having passed the House and 1 becoming law (the Senate version of his bill, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act), includes 4 this Congress, advancing efforts to improve healthcare, benefits, and continuing education benefits for those who served our nation.

H.R. 3951, Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025

This pivotal legislation guarantees permanent authority for cross-state disability exams, expanding the range of providers who can serve those in need, no matter where they live. By breaking down barriers to care, the bill ensures more veterans get timely, expert evaluations. It also empowers providers by requiring the VA to accept and process evidence brought by veterans during exams, a crucial step in making the system more responsive to local veterans’ needs.

H.R. 1458, Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act

Passed with unanimous bipartisan support, this bill expands the post-9/11 GI Bill, opening the door to both in-person and hybrid skilled trade training. Veterans will gain greater access, flexibility, and choice in building bright futures in non-traditional pathways beyond service. This also creates parity for National Guard and Reserve student veterans who are called to active duty during a semester, allowing them to receive grades, just as active-duty service members already can, so they are not forced to retake coursework they have substantially completed.

H.R.8043, Vets Collections, Liquidity, and Efficiency Accountability for Reinvestment Act (CLEAR) Act

This bipartisan bill, currently awaiting a full committee vote, opens new pathways for our nation’s heroes by expanding post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to cover both in-person and hybrid skilled trade programs. If passed, it will make technical education more accessible, flexible, and future-focused for those who served.

Tonight's event celebrates 32 distinguished honorees:

U.S. Air Force Veterans

• Alan Young of Pima County
• Charles Erickson of Pima County
• Doug Charters of Pima County
• Ethan Dixon of Pima County
• Jimmy Walker of Maricopa County
• Joyce Lee of Pima County
• Kristin Pereira of Pima County
• Marjory Bishop of Pima County
• Rebecca Phifer of Cochise County
• Tim Kirk of Cochise County
• Young Mayberry of Cochise County  

U.S. Army Veterans

• Barry Nelson of Cochise County
• Bill Beecher of Cochise County
• Edgar Jimenez of Pima County
• Jerry Smith of Pima County
• Jerry Spruce of Pima County
• Keith Jones of Pima County
• Kevin Karvinen of Pima County
• Leo Tobolski of Cochise County
• Matthew Langseth of Pima County
• Sarah Pacheco of Cochise County
• Stefani Stephens of Pima County
• William Civish of Graham County 

U.S. Marine Corps

• Brad Adams of Pima County
• Edward Eismon of Pima County
• Jim Vlahovich of Cochise County
• Raul Delgado of Pima County
• Rene Hernandez of Pima County
• Stu Brock of Pima County

U.S. Navy

• Bill Jarvis of Pima County
• Estefan Nieves of Pima County
• Paul Yela of Pima County 

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