Federal Momentum Grows: “Invest in Veterans Week” Cited in Congressional Record, Montana Proclamations, and U.S. House Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The civic initiative National Invest In Veterans Week® has officially been recognized across multiple arms of the federal government through floor speeches, public statements, and state-level executive proclamations. The initiative’s core phrase, “Invest in Veterans,”—federally protected by trademark through the phrase National Invest In Veterans Week —has now appeared in two separate entries in the Congressional Record and multiple House press communications, underscoring its rising influence as a bipartisan policy framework and not merely a symbolic observance.
The trademark registration of “NATIONAL INVEST IN VETERANS WEEK” (U.S. Serial No. 90536515, Registration No. 6784776) on July 12, 2022, marks a significant milestone in the formal recognition of this initiative. This federal registration not only protects the brand identity but also reinforces its legitimacy and authority in advocating for veteran entrepreneurship.
Cited in Congressional Record, Montana Proclamations, and U.S. House Communications,” the initiative has garnered substantial support at both federal and state levels. Notably, it has been mentioned in the Congressional Record and recognized through state proclamations, such as those issued by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The trademarked status of “NATIONAL INVEST IN VETERANS WEEK” underscores its unique position as a congressionally recognized observance dedicated to veteran-owned businesses. This legal protection ensures consistent branding and messaging, facilitating cohesive national campaigns and partnerships aimed at empowering veteran entrepreneurs.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ENTRIES
1. May 24, 2023 — Rep. Don Davis (NC-01)
Citation: Congressional Record, Vol. 169, No. 88, Page H2588
Congressman Don Davis delivered a floor speech titled “Investing in Our Veterans” during a House session, in which he declared:
“Investing in our brave veterans while helping the communities that need it most should be our highest priority.”
This address advocated for legislative action supporting veteran entrepreneurship, including the Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act. While National Invest In Veterans Week® was not directly named, the speech directly echoed the initiative’s founding principles.
2. March 8, 2024 — Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-02)
Citation: Congressional Record, Vol. 170, No. 42, Page H1049
During a one-minute House address, Rep. Rosendale formally recognized the week as Invest in Veterans Week, aligning his remarks with Montana’s statewide observance:
“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate this week as Invest in Veterans Week as proclaimed by Montana Governor Gianforte.”
Rosendale’s comments emphasized Montana’s leadership in honoring and empowering its veteran population, which ranks fifth highest per capita in the U.S.
U.S. HOUSE PRESS RELEASES
3. March 2024 — Rep. Brian Mast (FL-21)
In an official public press statement titled “Invest in America, Invest in Veterans,” Rep. Brian Mast—U.S. Army veteran and double amputee—explicitly acknowledged National Invest In Veterans Week® by name:
“Just as these veterans invest in us and our safety, we must likewise invest in the veterans who have sacrificed so much for the greater good.”
The statement coincided with the passage of the Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business Act, reinforcing the initiative’s legislative relevance.
4. April 2025 — Rep. Brian Mast (FL-21)
In a second district-level press release, again titled “Investing in Our Veterans,” Mast reiterated the core language of the initiative in the context of reopening a Congressional office within the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center:
“Just as they have invested in us, we must invest in them.”
Although not entered into the Congressional Record, the recurring use of this exact phrase in multiple federal communications contributes to the normalization of the initiative’s language in public policy.
STATE-LEVEL EXECUTIVE RECOGNITION
Montana’s Gubernatorial “Three-Peat”: 2023, 2024, 2025
Governor Greg Gianforte has issued proclamations in three consecutive years (March 2023, March 2024, and March 4, 2025), formally designating March 1–7 as Invest in Veterans Week statewide. In his most recent statement, delivered in Kalispell, the governor affirmed:
“I do hereby proclaim the week of March 1–7, 2025, as ‘Invest in Veterans Week’ in Montana to support our veterans and their investment in our communities.”
Montana leads the nation in per capita veteran population and continues to serve as a national model for integrating state support with veteran business development.
TRADEMARKED INITIATIVE, POLICY FRAMEWORK
Founded in 2019 by Lt. Col. Rickey L. Pope (Ret.), NFL veteran Drayton Florence, and Iraq War veteran Jeff Shuford, National Invest In Veterans Week® is not simply a commemorative week. It is a federally protected civic infrastructure designed to reposition military service as an economic investment—and to align government action accordingly.
Furthermore, in 2025, Representative Zack Hawkins amplified North Carolina’s support for National Invest In Veterans Week® by sharing a public statement on social media that echoed the initiative’s national messaging. He wrote: “National Invest In Veterans Week® is an annual event dedicated to honoring and empowering military veterans. Honored by Congress, this initiative provides vital resources, unwavering support, and powerful advocacy, emphasizing the crucial roles veterans play in our communities and economy.” By directly using the federally trademarked name and recognizing its congressional endorsement, Hawkins aligned state-level civic engagement with the initiative’s broader federal momentum.
This builds on the groundwork laid in 2023 by Representative Don Davis (NC-01), who delivered a floor speech in the U.S. House of Representatives titled “Investing in Our Veterans” ([Congressional Record, Vol. 169, No. 88, Page H2588](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-169/issue-88/house-section/article/H2588-1)).
Together, these public affirmations from Representatives Hawkins and Davis demonstrate North Carolina’s active role in supporting and legitimizing National Invest In Veterans Week® as both a civic observance and a public policy framework—reinforcing the state’s leadership in recognizing veterans as economic drivers in both local communities and national discourse.
SUMMARY: CROSS-GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION
Congressional Record 2023 Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) Floor speech (Vol. 169, H2588) Language aligned with initiative 2024 Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-02) Floor speech (Vol. 170, H1049) Direct acknowledgment of Montana proclamation House Press Releases 2024, 2025 Rep. Brian Mast (FL-21) Official House statements Named initiative, repeated phrase use State Proclamations 2023–2025 Gov. Greg Gianforte (MT) Annual proclamations Ongoing executive recognition.
