[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING SUSAN KERN

                                  _____
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
Mrs. Susan Kern, recently awarded the 2008 Congressional Volunteer 
Recognition Award by the 2nd Congressional District of Maryland's 
Veterans Advisory Council. Susan has been selected to receive this 
award because of her volunteer service at the VA, based on her 
outstanding dedication to serving the needs of veterans within her 
community.
  Veterans of the United States Armed Forces have dedicated themselves 
to protecting the lives of every American. Their service to our Nation 
deserves the highest level of gratitude. It is of the utmost importance 
that we take the time to recognize the individuals who give of their 
time and talents to support veterans and ensure their comfort, care, 
and well-being.
  Mrs. Kern is the Program Manager for Voluntary Services at the 
Baltimore VA Rehabilitation and Extended Care Center. Throughout her 
years of service as an employee of the VA, she has consistently gone 
out of her way to become an advocate for veterans. She has traveled to 
various events to speak on behalf of veterans, and has arranged extra 
times for volunteers to get identification badges. Volunteers must go 
through a certification process including an exam in order to give of 
their time. Susan has gone out of her way to make sure every volunteer 
has the opportunity to take the exam at a convenient time. Because of 
her commitment, more people are able to become volunteers at the VA.
  Despite having a family and many personal obligations, Mrs. Kern does 
most of these activities outside of work, on her own time.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Mrs. Susan 
Kern. Her compassion and dedication to veterans of the U.S. Armed 
Forces has become an inspiration to us all, and is deserving of the 
utmost gratitude. It is with great pride that I congratulate Mrs. Kern 
on her exemplary service as an advocate and a volunteer.

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