[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 132 (Friday, September 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR OF SOUTH BAY STAND DOWN FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 7, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation and 
support for South Bay Stand Down For Homeless Veterans. From September 
8th through September 10, 2007, the United States Department of 
Veterans Affairs is reaching out to homeless military veterans living 
in the South San Francisco Bay region.
  Held in Santa Cruz County, South Bay Stand Down aims to reduce the 
many barriers faced by homeless veterans and to assist them with a wide 
variety of services. For three days, veterans will be able to access 
clothing, food, water, and shelter, and can interface with a wide 
variety of government and public service organizations. Veterans will 
have the ability to learn about benefits that they may be entitled to, 
and even access free legal assistance and health services.
  I am truly inspired to see that the South Bay Stand Down for Homeless 
Veterans is a community effort. A diverse array of organizations have 
come together to ensure that the problem of homelessness among military 
veterans is properly addressed. Notable participants include the 
Veterans Transition Center, the County of Santa Cruz Veterans Services 
Office, Capitola Vet Center, Shelter Network, Not This Time Vets, 
Easter Seals, and the Red Cross.
  Homeless veterans face incredible hurdles in areas of life that many 
people simply take for granted. Access to shelter, food, and employment 
are immeasurably more difficult to attain. With as many as 50,000 
homeless veterans living in the state of California alone, it is 
imperative that the government and local communities reach out to 
assist those who have served our nation. The South Bay Stand Down 
accomplishes just that. I commend the participating veterans and 
organizations for their willingness to better the lives of our 
community members.
  Madam Speaker, I wish to express my gratitude to the organizers of 
South Bay Stand Down and to all of the participating organizations. To 
the veterans who attend, I offer my most sincere appreciation for your 
service in the armed forces of our nation. I can think of no other 
group more deserving of community support and recognition than the men 
and women who served in the United States military.

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