[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E799-E800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MR. ROBERT T. CIANELLI

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2010

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
the tireless service of Mr. Robert T. Cianelli as a volunteer driver 
for the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network and a 
dedicated supporter of America's military personnel. To salute his 
service, Mr. Cianelli was awarded the 2009 Congressional Volunteer 
Recognition Award by the Veterans Advisory Council for Maryland's 2nd 
District.
  Veterans of the United States Armed Forces have dedicated themselves 
to protecting the

[[Page E800]]

lives of every American. Their service to our Nation deserves the 
highest level of gratitude. It is important 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.
  For the past 5 years, Mr. Cianelli has made sure patients at the Glen 
Burnie VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic are picked up for their 
appointment on time and safely returned to their home. To date, he has 
logged 1,300 driving hours and more than 20,000 miles. Mr. Cianelli's 
experience as a computer scientist has significantly improved the 
efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation network, providing a 
program to maintain driver statistics, automating vehicle expense 
reports and developing a route sheet to expedite driver pick-up times. 
Robert's colleagues say that it would be hard to find an individual 
that contributes more than he does to guarantee the success of the 
Disabled American Veterans Transportation program.
  In addition to his service at the Glen Burnie VA Community Based 
Outpatient Clinic, Mr. Cianelli volunteers with Operation Welcome Home 
at BWI Airport, welcoming thousands of troops home and providing them 
with care packages to hold them over while they wait for connecting 
flights. Mr. Cianelli raised funds to get the program off the ground 
and continues to do so.
  As a member of the Baltimore Marine Corps League, Mr. Cianelli helped 
raise $27,000 for the ``Wounded Marine Program'' at the National Naval 
Medical Center in Bethesda and the Walter Reed Army Hospital. The 
program fed hundreds of meals to family members at the hospital during 
the height of the fighting in the Iraqi city of Fallujah when there 
were significant casualties arriving. It paid for Christmas baskets, 
lodging and taxi coupons for families, as well as televisions and video 
games for wounded soldiers.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me today to honor Mr. Robert T. 
Cianelli. His compassion and dedication to veterans of the U.S. Armed 
Forces are an inspiration to us all, and are deserving of the utmost 
gratitude. It is with great pride that I congratulate Mr. Robert T. 
Cianelli on his exemplary service as an advocate and a volunteer for 
American servicemen and women everywhere.

                          ____________________