March 12, 2012

Manchin, Rockefeller Congratulate James McCormick, Recipient of ‘Citizen Service Before Self’ Honor

Washington, D.C. – United States Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today congratulated James McCormick of New Haven, West Virginia for receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s Citizen Service Before Self award for 2012. He has been recognized for selflessly helping hundreds of homeless veterans find jobs and housing through his non-profit, Raising Cane Farms. 

“James McCormick is someone we should all be proud of, for the way he has served this nation in uniform for 25 years and continues to serve his fellow Americans through Raising Cane Farms. He represents the best of who we are in West Virginia,” said Senator Manchin, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “James McCormick has found a unique and meaningful way to serve our veterans, and his is an example we should all strive to follow. I am very proud that he is being recognized by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.  His example of serving our fellow Americans is the type of inspiration that led me to start the Senate Veterans Job Caucus to connect our service members with meaningful employment.  Making sure our veterans receive the care and services they need and have earned should be a top priority for each of us, and I applaud and admire the service of James McCormick” 

“After courageously serving our country, it’s devastating that so many veterans find themselves homeless after finishing their service,” said Senator Rockefeller, the longest serving member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.  “They deserve our support, and James McCormick is leading the charge in West Virginia to help them.  He has made it his mission to help these veterans get back on their feet and we can all be proud of his efforts for our state’s service members.  One homeless veteran is too many.   I have always stood with our veterans, and I will also do everything that I can to end homelessness among our veterans.”

According to the Citizen Service Before Self Honors website, James McCormick has helped thousands of homeless veterans find jobs and housing through his non-profit, Raising Cane Farms. His organization employs returning combat-wounded veterans adjusting to post-war life. In his spare time, he provides help with veteran casework, provides counsel to veterans with suicidal tendencies and makes arrangements for various veterans parades and tributes through his role on the New Haven City Planning Committee. 

James McCormick, along with the two other Citizen Service Before Self honorees will be recognized at a ceremony on March 23, 2012 at Arlington Cemetery. 

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