Statement by The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs On the death of Former Mississippi Rep. G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery

May 12, 2006

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the entire veterans' community mourn the passing of Sonny Montgomery.  I knew him as "Mr. Veteran," as did nearly everyone on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., and in his home state of Mississippi.  

Sonny was a veteran of two wars, served in the Mississippi state legislature and, later, in the halls of Congress, where he became a giant.  He was one of America’s strongest advocates for the men and women in uniform, and he was a dedicated statesman. 

After nearly three decades on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, including 13 years as its chairman, Sonny left an indelible mark on the history of veterans and military services in America.  His efforts to improve veterans’ educational benefits reached a zenith in 1984 with what we now refer to as the Montgomery G.I. Bill of Rights.  

Sonny Montgomery once said, "Patriotism is a pretty simple word, but also a beautiful word to most Americans."  Sonny Montgomery exemplified patriotism, and he will be greatly missed.

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