[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DAVID W. GORMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 28, 2011

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize the 
outstanding career and accomplishments of my constituent, David W. 
Gorman. A Vietnam veteran, Mr. Gorman will be remembered as one of the 
premiere veterans' advocates in American history. On July 1, 2011, he 
will be retiring as the Executive Director of National Service and 
Legislative Headquarters of the Disabled American Veterans after four 
decades of dedicated service.
  Mr. Gorman entered the U.S. Army in 1969 and served in the famed 
``Sky Soldiers'' of the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War. 
After sustaining severe combat injuries that required the amputation of 
both legs, Mr. Gorman dedicated himself to improving the treatment and 
welfare of America's veterans and joined the Disabled American Veterans 
organization.
  Mr. Gorman, a life member of the DAV's National Amputation Chapter 76 
and Chapter 4, in Wheaton, Maryland, began his professional career with 
the DAV as a National Service Officer at the Boston National Service 
Office in 1971. In the years that followed, Mr. Gorman became a 
venerable ally of American veterans, representing their claims before 
the Veterans Administration Board of Veterans Appeals. He earned a 
reputation as one of the nation's foremost experts regarding the VA's 
complex array of services and programs. Indeed, the DAV's key 
legislative accomplishments of recent years are largely due to the 
expertise and diligence of Mr. Gorman and his team.
  In 1995, Mr. Gorman was appointed Executive Director of National 
Service and Legislative Headquarters, a position he has held for over 
15 years. As Executive Director, he was the DAV's principal 
representative and spokesman before Congress, the White House, and the 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His legacy includes his efforts to 
reform veterans' health care and his contributions to the enactment of 
the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 and 
the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Gorman on his outstanding 
accomplishments and thank him for his devoted service to our country 
and our veterans. I wish him a rewarding and enjoyable retirement with 
his wife, Paula, his five children and six grandchildren.

                          ____________________