[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING BOB WILLIAMS FOR HIS EFFORTS SENDING CARE PACKAGES TO OUR 
                           SOLDIERS OVERSEAS

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                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. BILRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor American patriot 
and founder of the ``Support Our Troops'' organization, Bob Williams.
  A veteran of the Vietnam War, Bob Williams understands how valuable 
it is to receive a care package from home. For 27 years, Bob has sent 
care packages to members of the Armed Forces serving overseas, often 
using his own funds to cover both the cost of supplies and postage. His 
organization, Support Our Troops, is the largest of its kind in Florida 
to send care packages to troops. His group operates out of its own 
warehouse in Wesley Chapel, Florida, sending out over 250 packages a 
week. While Mr. Williams accepts donations, the cost of postage can 
often exceed $8,000 a week.
  In order to alleviate some of the difficulties incurred by these 
costs, Representative Kathy Castor and I have introduced H.R. 707, 
which would allow for a monthly voucher providing free postage for 
small parcels and other correspondence to be distributed to soldiers 
serving in combat zones overseas to transfer at their own discretion. 
We have introduced this legislation to recognize not only the 
sacrifices made by the brave men and women who serve overseas in our 
Armed Forces, but the sacrifices borne by their loved ones back home. 
Our hope is that, once passed into law, this bill will also assist 
generous souls like Bob Williams in his organization's efforts to send 
our troops a piece of home.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Bob Williams for the many 
contributions he has made to honor the bravery and selfless sacrifice 
of our Nation's servicemembers. May God bless our troops and may God 
continue to bless the United States of America.

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