[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 138 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING RAYMOND G. BOLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Raymond G. Boland who 
served as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs for 
eleven years.
  Throughout his tenure, Secretary Boland initiated a number of 
programs aimed at bettering the lives of Wisconsin veterans. Although 
it is impossible to quantify all Secretary Boland has accomplished, I 
would like to highlight three programs that demonstrate his unyielding 
dedication to veterans.
  The 1994 establishment of the Veterans Assistance Program made great 
strides towards ending homelessness among veterans. In working to 
better the lives of veterans and increase job accessibility, Secretary 
Boland implemented the Troops to Teachers Program in 1995. This 
important program has allowed veterans with baccalaureate degrees to 
obtain teaching certification at an accelerated pace. Finally, 
Secretary Boland's dedication to veterans was demonstrated by his 1998 
creation of the Wisconsin Women's Veterans program, which continues to 
focus on the specific needs of women veterans.
  Secretary Boland's outstanding work has not gone unnoticed. In 1997, 
Secretary Boland received the American Veterans Silver Helmet Award as 
the Civil Servant of the Year. The following year, he was awarded the 
Department of the Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal. Most 
recently, in recognition of his commitment to ending veteran 
homelessness, Secretary Boland was presented with the second annual 
Jerald Washington Memorial Founders' Award by the National Coalition 
for Homeless Veterans.
  I am proud today to stand with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans 
Affairs and veterans of Wisconsin in recognizing Secretary Raymond G. 
Boland for his outstanding work and dedication to better the lives of 
veterans.

                          ____________________