The 2019 VFW Legislative Conference

The holder of an associate degree in real estate appraisal from Portland Community College, John Oscar Branch is an Oregon-based retiree who founded three companies, including Oregon Chimney Repair and Cleaning, which serves customers to this day. A Vietnam veteran and former member of the United States Navy, John Oscar Branch regularly supports Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

The 2019 VFW Legislative Conference is scheduled to take place from March 3 to 7 in Washington, D.C., where VFW leaders across all 50 states will have an opportunity to personally speak to their respective lawmakers and lobby in support of important VFW agenda items. The event is also an opportunity for VFW supporters to witness the organization's commander-in-chief testify on their behalf before the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees on Capitol Hill. 

The VFW Legislative Conference has been held every year since 1949 and, since 1964, a member of the Senate or House has been selected to receive the VFW Congressional Award. Last year's award went to Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) for his work in improving the Department of Veterans Affairs and boosting national intelligence capabilities as well as his continued support for service members, veterans, and their families. Other awards handed out at the conference included the Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy scholarships.