[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING STEVEN HURD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Steven Hurd on 
the occasion of his retirement after 38 years of dedicated service in 
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Throughout his career, Steve has fought tenaciously to improve the 
quality of life of veterans and their caregivers. Steve began his VA 
career in 1972 and served in a variety of Recreation Therapy positions. 
From 1983 to 1987, he served as the Assistant Chief of Voluntary 
Service at the Brockton, Massachusetts VA Medical Center. For the past 
23 years, Steve has served as the Chief of Voluntary Service at the 
Togus, Maine VA Medical Center.
  Under his leadership, a number of new programs have been established 
at Togus, including the `Caught Ya' program to recognize staff members 
that go above and beyond their duties in caring for veterans, the 
Service Recovery Program, and new volunteer assignments to provide 
mealtime companions and other quality of care initiatives for 
hospitalized veterans, These programs have greatly enhanced and 
expanded the use of volunteers and staff in improving veterans' 
healthcare experiences at Togus.
  Steve is also an active leader in other sectors of Veterans Affairs. 
He serves as the VISN 1 Voluntary Service Liaison Chief, is an active 
member and past president of the Maine Society of Directors of 
Healthcare Volunteer Services and is current president of the New 
England Association of Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services. In 
his capacity as VISN Liaison Chief, Steve has also mentored incoming 
Voluntary Service Chiefs in other Medical Centers in VISN 1. In 2008, 
Steve served as the president of the Association of Healthcare 
Volunteer Resource Professionals, becoming the first VA Voluntary 
Service staff member to be elected to this position.
  Through his dedication and valued work, Steve has garnered well-
deserved appreciation and numerous accolades including the Voluntary 
Service Award for Excellence, the Governors' Volunteer Service Award 
for Excellence in Volunteer Administration and most recently, the Award 
for Excellence from the Association of Volunteer Resource 
Professionals.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Steven Hurd for his 
compassion and tireless efforts on behalf of the veterans in Maine.

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