[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 82 (Thursday, June 22, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6413-S6414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 JOHN GONSALVES RECEIVES DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION MEDAL OF 
                                 HONOR

 Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the winner 
of the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor Award, Mr. 
John Gonsalves of Taunton, MA. Mr. Gonsalves was nominated by the 
members of the Molly Stark Chapter of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution, DAR, in Manchester, NH, to receive this national award.
  In the wake of September 11, Mr. Gonsalves was left, like many 
Americans, with the insatiable desire to do something to help those 
intimately affected by the tragedy. He was particularly struck by those 
who have made extraordinary sacrifices on the front lines in the 
military operations that have followed the September 11 attacks, our 
wounded soldiers.
  Upon seeing these injured soldiers in news reports, Mr. Gonsalves was 
determined to use his lifelong trade to help these wounded heroes. 
Having worked extensively in the construction field throughout the last 
20 years, he gained expertise in all phases of the construction 
process, business management, and OSHA safety standards. He started 
Homes For Our Troops--a nonprofit organization that builds and refits 
homes across the country for veterans wounded while serving in the 
Middle East. Mr. Gonsalves has pledged to build these specially adapted 
residences for our wounded soldiers so long as the need exists at no 
cost to them.
  The brave men and women who put their lives at risk every day to 
protect our country need to know that their fellow citizens appreciate 
their sacrifices and will support them long after they return home from 
the front lines. Mr. Gonsalves' work promotes an extremely noble cause 
which ensures that our wounded troops, who have worked extraordinarily 
hard to protect our Nation, have the opportunity to find suitable 
housing when they return home.
  Mr. Gonsalves has shown tremendous qualities of leadership, service, 
and patriotism by selflessly dedicating himself to a cause that serves 
a greater purpose and aids those who have sacrificed for our country, 
and he is certainly deserving of the DAR Medal of Honor Award. I 
congratulate him on his recognition and commend him for his service to 
the military community and the positive effects his organization has 
for our country and especially on our wounded soldiers.
 Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, I also wish to recognize John 
Gonsalves, a Taunton, MA, resident whose selfless work to improve the 
lives of troops returning home from battle will be honored with the 
Daughters of the American Revolution's, DAR, Medal of

[[Page S6414]]

Honor Award. Members of the Molly Stark Chapter of the DAR in 
Manchester, NH, nominated him to receive this distinction.
  John was one of millions of Americans who, in the aftermath of the 
September 11 terrorist attacks, wanted to serve his Nation and fellow 
countrymen. Having worked extensively in different phases of the 
construction industry, he sought an opportunity to give back by helping 
wounded soldiers return to home life.
  Unable to find an existing organization that would allow him to 
volunteer his construction and homebuilding skills, John took action 
and founded a nonprofit organization that would--Homes for Our Troops. 
The group, which is based in Taunton, works to build or adapt 
residences across the country for injured veterans at no cost to these 
individuals.
  American soldiers have left the comfort of home for the perils of 
faraway battlefields to protect our country and to spread freedom in 
the world. It is critical that these brave men and women know that 
their fellow citizens support them--and will continue to do so long 
after their active duty service is over. John's work to establish Homes 
for Our Troops helps represent a solemn promise: that the American 
people will neither forget, nor cease to be grateful, for the courage 
of our heroic soldiers.
  By returning seriously injured veterans to the normalcy of home life 
as quickly as possible, we honor their enormous sacrifices for our 
country. Homes for Our Troops performs an invaluable role in this 
national effort, coordinating donations of money, labor and materials 
to ensure that seriously injured veterans' homes are handicapped 
accessible. This work, which contributes conspicuously to the quality 
of life for severely wounded soldiers, represents the best of the 
American spirit.
  John Gonsalves' patriotism sets an example for all Americans. I join 
his friends, supporters and members of the DAR's Molly Stark Chapter in 
commending his praiseworthy efforts on behalf of our veterans, and 
congratulate him on being selected to receive this prestigious award.

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