[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF MAJOR LINDA SCHWARTZ

                                 ______


                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on Veterans Day, Major Linda Schwartz will 
receive the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Commendation 
Medal. Linda Schwartz truly embodies the spirit of this prestigious 
award, which is given ``to those select few who have distinguished 
themselves through their service to Connecticut veterans and their 
families.'' I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this outstanding 
individual who has done so much to address the needs of our veterans 
not only in Connecticut but across the country.
  Linda Schwartz' work on behalf of our veterans has earned her the 
respect and admiration of all who know her. A deeply caring and 
compassionate woman, she has devoted herself to meeting the needs of 
Connecticut's homeless veterans. She brought the ``stand down'' concept 
to Connecticut in 1992 and has been an integral part of the success of 
this yearly event which gives homeless veterans access to a wide range 
of programs and services. Linda also co-founded ``project partnership'' 
in which the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Program has renovated houses 
for homeless and disabled veterans in conjunction with rehabilitation 
services at the West Haven VA Medical Center.
  A skilled nurse who served with distinction in the Air Force, Linda 
has applied her medical background to the many health issues facing our 
veterans, including the effects of agent orange and post traumatic 
stress syndrome. Indeed, she is known nationally for her leadership on 
issues related to veterans health care and women veterans, and has 
testified numerous times before both Houses of Congress. She has also 
been appointed to several Federal advisory committees, including, most 
recently, the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. Linda has also 
served as the president of the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund since 
its inception in 1989, and as acting director of government affairs for 
Vietnam Veterans of America.
  It has been my great honor to work closely with Linda on a number of 
issues affecting veterans in my district. Linda's dynamic leadership 
and enthusiasm were instrumental in forging a partnership between 
veterans groups and Connecticut's labor unions to help Connecticut 
veterans enter the work force through an apprenticeship program. The 
West Haven VA Center, the Painters Union and the Carpenters Union have 
now joined together in a cooperative effort that I believe should serve 
as a model across the country.
  Whether working with the local VA center or testifying before 
Congress, Linda Schwartz has been a tireless advocate for our veterans. 
I commend her for all that she has done for the veterans in may 
district, and congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.

                          ____________________