[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S6779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO PETE WHEELER

 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, it is my honor today to pay 
tribute to a man who has passionately spent his career in service to 
the United States and past members of its Armed Forces. Mr. Pete 
Wheeler has served with the Georgia Department of Veteran Services 
since 1949 and as chairman of the National Veterans Day Committee since 
1954. From the beginning of his work, he has served as a dedicated 
advocate and friend to veterans and their families. For his nearly 60 
years of service, Commissioner Wheeler will be honored by the Veterans 
Council of the Golden Isles as ``Veteran of the Century.''
  Pete was born in Albany, GA, in 1922. At the age of 20, he enlisted 
in the Army as an infantry soldier just a year prior to his 1943 
graduation from the University of Georgia. He married Geraldine 
Odenweller, and the couple raised three children: Chip, Jane Watkins, 
and Frances Jones. Pete and Geraldine are now the proud grandparents of 
six grandchildren.
  After his graduation from John Marshall Law School in 1948 and his 
admission to the Georgia State Bar in 1949, Mr. Wheeler began his 
career with the Georgia Department of Veterans Services. He was 
appointed the Georgia chairman of the National Veterans Day Committee 
in 1954 and has served in the office for over 50 years. Commissioner 
Wheeler has worked on a wide spectrum of Veterans Affairs panels, 
associations and programs, but in addition to his civilian services, he 
retired in 1978 as a brigadier general from the Georgia Army National 
Guard.
  Among State directors and commissioners, Pete is known as the ``Dean 
of Veterans'' because of his influential leadership in State and 
national veterans affairs. He served as president of the National 
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs from 1964 to 1965. 
Two years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Mr. Wheeler to 
the U.S. Veterans Advisory Commission. His national work has continued 
since then to include serving as chairman of the 1994 World War II 
Memorial Advisory Board commissioned by President Clinton and President 
Bush.
  In addition to Mr. Wheeler's national influence in veterans affairs, 
Georgia is especially proud of Mr. Wheeler's work as State chairman. 
During his tenure, Mr. Wheeler worked tirelessly to assist veterans and 
their families throughout Georgia. He was instrumental in the 
development of innovative programs such as the ``State Supermarket of 
Veterans Benefits'', a one-stop information service on veterans' 
benefits, and the ``Georgia Veterans Bulletin,'' a quarterly 
publication dedicated to keeping veterans and their families informed 
of law changes, benefits, and special events. Commissioner Wheeler also 
worked to found the Annual Service Officer School, an event which 
brings together veterans' benefit counselors and leaders from the State 
and National veterans groups and offices for veterans issues. Under Mr. 
Wheeler's leadership, Georgia is still the only State to provide free 
nursing home and domiciliary care to its eligible veterans. To honor 
past veterans, he has also helped to establish two veterans cemeteries, 
including the Georgia National Cemetery in Cherokee County.
  Pete Wheeler has lived by his statement that ``there is little that 
cannot be accomplished if one doesn't care who gets the credit.'' 
Considering his invaluable contributions to veterans and veterans 
affairs, it is no wonder that others are quick to pay tribute to Pete 
for much of what has been accomplished for Georgia veterans.
  These tributes among many others, illustrate the tremendous impact of 
Pete Wheeler's work in veterans affairs. His enduring dedication to his 
fellow veterans has shown through his nearly 60 years of service to the 
community, the State of Georgia, and the Nation. I am very proud to 
join the Georgia Department of Veterans' Services and the Veterans' 
Council of the Golden Isles in honoring Pete Wheeler as one of the 
century's finest examples of service to our Nation's veterans.

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