[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 68 (Thursday, May 8, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        FLORIDA VETERANS MOBILE SERVICE CENTER COMES TO THE HILL

  Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. President, I am enormously proud that on 
Tuesday, the Florida Veterans Mobile Service Center came to Capitol 
Hill as part of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Annual 
Membership Meeting and Conference.
  The Florida Veterans Mobile Service Center is a 40-foot van equipped 
with two exam rooms, as well as facilities for dental care. The Center 
travels the State of Florida providing care to homeless veterans who 
live in rural encampments. The unit offers homeless veterans immediate 
assistance of food and clothing, health screening and assessment, VA 
benefit determination and counseling, as well as assessment of housing, 
mental health, substance abuse, employment, educational and vocational 
needs. That the Center is mobile, allows its team--comprised of staff 
from Volunteers of America and Department of Veterans Affairs--to go 
where their assistance is most needed.
  This community service provider offers homeless veterans a unique way 
to receive quality care while still ensuring their sense of dignity and 
respect. I take pride in the fact that my State offers this initiative, 
effective source of help to our Nation's veterans. We all owe those who 
risked their lives defending this country a debt of gratitude, and I am 
so thankful to the Center's hardworking, compassionate team for doing 
their part in paying that debt.
  I especially want to point out the dedication of Scott Martin, who 
drove more than 900 miles to bring the Florida Veterans Mobile Service 
Center from Tampa, FL, to Washington, DC. I also would like to thank 
Kathryn Spearman, president and CEO of Volunteers of America of 
Florida, Ray Tuller, chief financial officer of Volunteers of America 
of Florida, and Ed Quill, director of external affairs for Volunteers 
of America of Florida, all of whom joined Scott here in Washington.

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