[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 126 (Thursday, November 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PETE WHEELER, COMMISSIONER, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 2006

  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
contributions of Pete Wheeler, the Georgia Commissioner of Veterans 
Affairs, who is being honored this Veterans Day as Georgia's ``Veteran 
of the Century.'' Pete Wheeler is an incredible person and a true 
friend to all those who have served in our country's armed forces.
  Pete Wheeler's dedication to public service and our veterans is deep-
rooted. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in the Army 
Infantry. He retired as a Brigadier General in the National Guard in 
1978. After graduating from the University of Georgia, he began his 
career with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service In 1949, and has 
worked personally with the 11 U.S. Presidents and 11 Georgia Governors 
since then. In 1954, he was appointed Georgia Chairman, National 
Veterans Day Committee and he still serves in that capacity. He was 
appointed to the U.S. Veterans Advisory Commission by President Lyndon 
B. Johnson in 1967. Upon his appointment in 1994, he served as chairman 
of the World War II Memorial Advisory Board for President Clinton and 
President George W. Bush.
  A true and faithful friend to veterans, Pete Wheeler has been an 
advocate of their causes for more than half a century. On a national 
level he is looked upon among the State Directors and Commissioners as 
the ``Dean of Veterans.'' He has been instrumental in many innovative 
programs to benefit veterans and their families, including starting the 
first ever ``State Supermarket of Veterans Benefits'' in 1966, a one-
stop service for veterans and their families to gather information 
regarding Federal and State benefits to which they might be entitled. 
During his tenure, established two State veteran's cemeteries and 
played an influential part in the establishment of the GA National 
Cemetery in Cherokee County, Georgia, and the Annual Service Officer 
School was established. This workshop brings together veterans benefit 
counselors from field offices as well as leadership from the State's 
veterans groups and national offices involved in veteran's issues. This 
has been an annual event for 47 years.
  His awards include the Silver Helmet Award, presented by AMVETS; 
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge George Washington Honor Medal; the 
American Legion Gold Honor Medal and the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Silver Medal of Merit.
  Veterans and all Georgians are fortunate to have Pete Wheeler working 
for them. He is a model of civic pride and community service. Pete 
Wheeler has made an immeasurable contribution to our State, and our 
Nation.

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