Last Friday we celebrated Veterans Day in honor of our brave men and women who are have served and are currently serving in our armed forces. Tammy Duckworth is one of those Veterans who sacrifices to this nation is something we all can admire.
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Tammy graduated from University of Hawaii and George Washington University
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She is both fluent in Thai and Indonesian
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Duckworth worked for Rotary International as a manager for administration of Rotary clubs in the Asia Pacific Region.
After that, she joined the military and went to flight school.
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She was one of the first women to fly black hawk helicopters in Operation Iraqi Freedom
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On November 12, 2004, her black hawk helicopter was hit by an RPG. Tammy lost both her legs and partial use of her right arm.
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Tammy was awarded the purple heart and promoted to colonel
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After her recovery, she began working at Walter Reed Medical Center and became an advocate for the care of our veterans. Even testifying before congress.
In 2006 Tammy decided to take a shot at congress herself. Ultimately she did not succeed. However, her career was far from over
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She became Director of the Illinois VA Department, where she helped create a tax credit for companies that hired veterans.
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Established a 24/7 crisis hotline for veterans
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Helped create programs for housing assistance for veterans
In 2009 President Obama appointed her to be Assistant VA Secretary.
In 2012 Tammy took another shot at congress and won. Unseating incumbent Joe Walsh. She was re-elected in 2014
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She was appointed to the Armed Services committee and Committee on Government Oversight and Reform
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Helped pass the bipartisan Clay Hunt SAV Act to help prevent suicide in our armed forces. The bill was signed into law by The President
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Proposed more than 60 provisions to the National Defense Reauthorization Act 49 of them passed the house and 31 became law.
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Publically Returned 8.4% of her pay to help pay down the national debt.
In the historic 2016 election, she challenged incumbent U.S Senator Mark Kirk and won. Tammy Duckworth is now the Senator- Elect in a seat once held by Barack Obama.
Your next United States Senator Tammy Duckworth