Washington, D.C.– Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, received Military Spouse magazine’s first-ever Legislative Impact Award at their Military Spouse of the Year Luncheon today.

“I recognize that when a service member joins the military, it’s not just a job, it’s a family commitment to our country,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “To the military spouses here today, never forget that you are role models to the rest of us, that your service does not go unnoticed, and that your dedication to our country does not go unappreciated.”

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, also received the Legislative Impact Award. Mrs. Bianca Strzalkowski of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina was presented with the Military Spouse of the Year Award. That award recognizes the sacrifice of the 1.1 million military spouses who provide unwavering support to our armed services.

On April 12, 2011, Rep. McMorris Rodgers joined First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden at the White House to launch Joining Forces -a national initiative to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure military families have the support they deserve. Joining Forces closely mirrors four important issues the Caucus is working on: Employment, education, wellness, and public awareness.

The photo above is from an April 6, 2011 meeting Rep. McMorris Rodgers attended at the White House to plan Joining Forces.