The Waterbury District Office of Congresswoman Hayes is the only New England Congressional Office to receive the Special designation from the Military Order of the Purple Heart as a Purple Heart Office of distinction and is listed on the Purple Heart Trail because of her work to support veterans. Congresswoman Hayes continues to introduce and support legislation to better the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Specifically, she has introduced legislation to increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).