[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 152 (Friday, November 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JACK STEWART

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 22, 2002

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career 
of a true public servant, a man who has touched literally thousands of 
lives. Jack Stewart, who is currently the Monterey County Military and 
Veterans Affairs Officer and a long-time constituent of mine, will be 
retiring from the post he created in 1983 after a career that has been 
marked by excellence and dedication.
  Jack first served in the U.S. Army in 1954, eventually serving 20 
years and receiving several decorations and awards including he Combat 
Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service 
Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Good Conduct 
Medal. Mr. Speaker, these commendations obviously show the level of 
commitment he had to defending and protecting the democratic ideals our 
country cherishes, but it is only the beginning of what would become a 
career dedicated to those who, like himself, served their country with 
honor.
  As a county supervisor, I got to know Jack and understand the 
workings of his office, which helped us both when I became a California 
State Assemblyman. When the California Association of County Veterans 
Service Officers (which Jack served three terms as president) came to 
Sacramento I was always there for Jack, as he was for me. Jack was 
always a welcome sight in my office, and I know other counties were 
envious of the relationship and understanding that we had.
  One of the highlights of my work with Jack during those years was 
helping him bring a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall to 
Monterey County, a deeply moving experience. This project was one of 
the best instances of veterans coming together with the community, 
including anti-war leaders, in an outpouring of love and respect for 
those who didn't come home. This was the first listing of all Monterey 
County MIA's and those killed in action, which led to the creation of a 
separate Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Salinas. It also provided for 
listing those names on the state memorial in Capitol Park in 
Sacramento, including my cousin John Geisen and Carmel High School 
classmate Andrew Elliot, who is MIA. For Jack's work on these projects, 
I am personally grateful.
  Mr. Speaker, many people will undoubtedly sing Jack Stewart's many 
praises as his retirement nears, but I must mention a few things that 
he has done while I have been a member of the U.S. House of 
Representatives. Perhaps the single most influential role he had was 
during the closure of Fort Ord in Monterey County, the largest base 
closure in US history. The economic and social implications on the 
local communities were astounding, but Jack made sure that the 
interests of the veterans in the area were attended to. He had the 
world pulled out from him, as we lost a four hundred-bed hospital that 
served both active duty members and retirees; the CHAMPUS provider was 
to be switched so no one knew who to go to for health care; disabled 
vets wee stranded without transportation; and all military personnel 
who could help handle such a crisis were gone. The only person left was 
Jack, who, with his staff had to do the work of an entire division.
  Out of this chaos, he will be leaving behind a new clinic run by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, serving a broader community than ever; 
a new Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Counseling Program; a Veterans 
Transition Center for homeless veterans and a transportation network 
that provides van rides to disabled veterans. Jack was also able to get 
the federal government to put up land and money to open a state-run 
veterans' cemetery at Fort Ord, and has been instrumental in starting 
and running the local process for making this a reality. Of course, 
this is a project that will continue without Jack, but he should be 
honored for his role in moving this from an idea to where it is today.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to close today by saying that Jack Stewart 
has handled more challenges than any county veterans officer I know of, 
and produced a more lasting legacy of services than anyone. This alone 
speaks volumes, but I hope I have been able to show how much he will be 
missed, not only by me, but also by the community at large. I wish Jack 
and his family all of the best in retirement, even though I know that 
he will remain an active part of the veteran's community.

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