• Championed legislation to provide members of the United States Armed Forces with relief from financial obligations when forced to move due to military orders
• Protected military spouses’ unemployment insurance benefits
• Covered the all life insurance premiums for Florida National Guard members
• Supported granting high school diplomas to Korean War Veterans
• Supported the “Purple Heart Bill” which grants tuition waivers to our combat wounded veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom

Honoring Our Veterans, Supporting Our Soldiers, Protecting Their Families

The son of a World War II fighter pilot, Jeff Atwater honors the service of Florida’s over 225,000 active military personnel, over 12,000 National Guardsmen and 1.8 million veterans. “Our state and nation owe these men and women a debt of gratitude and respect, and I’m proud to have been able to work to improve their lives and those of their families.”

He believes no American service member should be put in harm’s way without knowing their rights and their families back home are honored and protected. “These dedicated Americans should not have to worry about their right to vote, their educational future, their loved ones back home or financial obligations they have left behind when called to service,” says Atwater.

Jeff Atwater has championed legislation to provide members of the United States Armed Forces with relief from financial obligations when they’re forced to move due to military orders and to end penalties when a deployment requires them to break a lease, a rental agreement or car insurance policy.

In 2005 Atwater pushed the Florida Legislature to cover the life insurance premiums for our Florida National Guard Members. Military spouses make sacrifices as well, and many face unemployment when their husband or wife is reassigned. Atwater passed legislation to protect the unemployment insurance benefits for spouses affected by reassignment.

Jeff has also helped make it easier for the children of service members to get scholarships, receive tuition assistance and to meet high school graduation requirements. He also voted to provide financial assistance for higher education to families of deceased military personnel or those who have suffered a service-related permanent disability while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Recognizing the tremendous sacrifice of our Korean War veterans, Jeff Atwater proudly co-sponsored legislation which granted a high school diploma to our honorably discharged Korean War Veterans who because of their commitment to our nation were not able to finish high school.

He was a proud supporter of a constitutional amendment to add $5,000 to homestead property tax exemption for disabled veterans. Atwater said, “This is a small acknowledgment of the service and sacrifice of these brave Americans.”