[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 59 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S4550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNITION OF CHUCK FULKERSON

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today I rise to honor one of the true heroes 
for Nevada's veterans, retired COL Charles ``Chuck'' Fulkerson. This 
man is a Reno native, a war hero, and a dedicated public servant.
  I have known Chuck for many years, and I have always appreciated his 
dedication to improving the lives of veterans in our State. When Chuck 
spoke about veterans issues, he spoke from a position experience.
  In 1955, Chuck enrolled in the Army Reserve while an undergraduate at 
the University of Nevada-Reno. The Korean war had ended, but our world 
was still a very unstable place. A few years, later when the United 
States found itself involved in another crisis in Southeast Asia, Chuck 
answered his Nation's call to service. He went to Vietnam, not once but 
twice, for tours of combat. After the war, Chuck served his country in 
Europe before returning home to serve in the Nevada National Guard.
  While maintaining his military obligations, Chuck served the citizens 
of Nevada in a variety of government positions. Gov. Bob List appointed 
Chuck to be the director of the Nevada Selective Service in 1979. After 
almost 6 years of service in that role, Gov. Dick Bryan recalled Chuck 
to active duty when he appointed Chuck to be the director of the 
property and fiscal officers for the Nevada National Guard.
  After almost 40 years of military service, Chuck retired in 1991. He 
taught military history at the University of Nevada-Reno, but his 
public service to our State was not yet complete. Gov. Kenny Guinn 
appointed Chuck to be the executive director of the Nevada Office of 
Veterans Services in 2000, an office he faithfully served until this 
March.
  Chuck presided over the Nevada Office of Veterans Services at a 
critical point in our State's history. Since 1990, Nevada's veterans 
population has increased by more than 40 percent. This unprecedented 
growth put strain on many resources in Nevada, but Chuck was never 
discouraged.
  Instead, he worked tirelessly for more staff and additional resources 
to help Nevada veterans.
  Under Chuck's watch, Nevada modernized their veterans services 
including the completion of a new Veterans Nursing Home in Boulder 
City. Chuck presided over the construction of this facility, which is 
home to more than 162 of America's heroes. Another key part of Chuck's 
work was his effort to improve veterans cemeteries through Nevada, 
including cemeteries at Boulder City and Fernley. I was pleased to work 
with Chuck to secure Federal appropriations to expand these cemeteries.
  The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education has 
awarded Chuck their highest award, naming him a Distinguished Nevadan. 
With his long list of accomplishments for Nevada's veterans, Chuck is 
most deserving of this high honor, and I am pleased to recognize his 
accomplishments today before the Senate.

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