[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E516]]
 HONORING CHAPLAIN EDWARD BASTILLE ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM SERVICE WITH 
          VETERANS ADMINISTRATION PALO ALTO HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable 
individual, Chaplain Edward Bastille who has dedicated his life to the 
service of facilitating the recovery of our veterans. During his tenure 
at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), Chaplain Bastille 
coordinated and implemented numerous programs and services that meet 
the needs of an ever-diversifying residency.
  As an inspiring leader, Chaplain Bastille, himself a 100 percent 
disabled service-connected Vietnam combat veteran, was responsible for 
hiring a talented and progressive clergy at VAPAHCS including: the 
first nun in the VA as a Eucharistic Minister, the first Catholic Dean 
in the VA as a Fee Basis Eucharistic, the first Buddhist Chaplain in 
the VA, the first Muslim chaplain, the first endorsed woman Mormon 
spiritual leader, and for hiring the first Indian Spiritual Leader.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to finding appropriate spiritual counselors 
for the patients of the VA, Chaplain Bastille established a number of 
ongoing services and training programs that the facility now offers to 
comfort and accommodate the healing process for both patients and 
families alike. A fine example of Chaplain Bastille's efforts is the 
establishment of the American Indian Cultural Center at Menlo Park, 
which includes a sweat lodge program to meet the spiritual needs of the 
Native American patients. This program received a VA Best Practice 
Award and has been emulated by other VA health care facilities.
  Also, Chaplain Bastille assisted in revitalizing the Chaplain Program 
at the VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) by training 
staff, rewriting procedures, and providing operational leadership for 
three years.
  For the families and other loved ones of patients at the VAPAHCS, he 
established a Memorial Rose Garden as an extension to the Chapel 
Garden. The Rose Garden provides a touching space for families to 
memorialize their loved ones at the health care center.
  Mr. Speaker, Chaplain Bastille's extraordinary efforts to help 
humanity has not been limited to the VA. For example, after Hurricane 
Mitch, Chaplain Bastille helped organize the Palo Alto aid effort: the 
Honduras Relief Project, which helped send three medical teams to 
Honduras through funding provided by 12 local churches. He organized 
the church fundraising and recruited hospital volunteers. For 18 years, 
Chaplain Bastille has also directed the Patient PTSD chorus and helped 
lead to trips to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC., and one 
trip to Russia to meet with Russian-Afghanistan PTSD Veterans.

  Chaplain Bastille's invaluable work has been duly recognized. In 1991 
he received a Commendation given by VA Secretary Derwinski. He also 
received the Distinguished Service Award in 1992 from the Military 
Chaplain Association for his work in Ethics and the Julius Varwig Award 
in 2003 from the National Council for Health and Human Services 
Ministries for the United Church of Christ. Aside from being a 
phenomenal and selfless public servant, Chaplain Bastille enjoys a 
family of three brothers, and his lovely wife, Louise, to whom he has 
been married for 21 years.
  Before Chaplain Bastille became a spiritual counselor and leader, he 
served as an Air Force Specialist in Vietnam. He went on to be the 
Chaplain for this unit until 1978. Chaplain Bastille obtained his B.S. 
degree from Springfield College and earned his Master's in Theology 
from Andover Newton Theological School in 1975. In 1985, Chaplain 
Bastille continued at Andover Newton to complete his doctorate.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and rise to pay tribute 
to this extraordinary individual, Chaplain Edward Bastille. He is a 
fine example of the power of one to make a difference in this world. As 
he retires to become the owner of an inn in Gilford, New Hampshire, I 
wish him every ounce of happiness and success.

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