ATLANTA -- State Rep. Bill Hitchens (R-Rincon) recently received the 2017 Georgia Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Joseph Bartow Award for his support of military friendly legislation.

            “I’m deeply appreciative of Georgia MOAA’s diligent efforts on behalf of our service men and women, and I’m honored to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Hitchens. “The House passed a record number of military-friendly bills during the 2017 legislative session, which serves as a true reflection of our state’s commitment to bettering the lives of Georgia’s veterans and active duty military personnel, as well as our military families. As chairman of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee and a member of the House Military Affairs Working Group, I was so pleased to work together with my colleagues to pass such meaningful legislation, and I look forward to continuing this important work in the upcoming legislative session.”

            MOAA is an advocacy organization that works to improve the lives of U.S. service members and their families. MOAA’s membership includes active duty, former, retired and National Guard and Reserve commissioned and warrant officers of the uniformed services and their surviving spouses. Georgia MOAA has 15 active chapters supporting over 20,000 MOAA members.