Senator Steve Conway, D-South Tacoma, last week was recognized as the Outstanding Legislator of the Year by the Washington Department of Veteran's Affairs and the Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.

While a member of the House, Conway received the award twice from the WDVA in 1996 and 1999.

“Whenever any piece of legislation or an issue comes before him, Senator Conway always thinks about how it will impact veterans,” said April Harris, executive assistance to the director of WDVA.

Conway worked to help the state’s veterans in 2011 by proposing legislation that established the Hometown Heroes Raffle. Senate Bill 5806 creates a fund to support the Veterans Innovations Program. Since its inception in 2006, that fund has benefited more than 800 of the state’s veterans and their families. It helps veterans pay for simple things like goods and services, as well as larger expenses such as job training, mental health counseling and even help with rent or mortgage payments.

Conway has also worked with veterans and advocates toward establishing programs which aid the state’s veterans in finding employment once they return from the battlefield.

Conway was also recognized in August as the Washington State Labor Council’s Legislator of the Year.