[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 4 (Friday, January 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E12-E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING GREG HAMILTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 2012

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
extraordinary achievements of my constituent, Mr. Gregory V. Hamilton. 
Greg is dedicated and he is passionate, and he has devoted his entire 
life to serving our country, his community, and the causes he champions 
so well. Many Montgomery County residents know him by his signature 
braids and his colorful garb that reflect his love of country, his 
Native American heritage, and his pride as a Vietnam veteran.
  Unfortunately, Greg's braids are gone now, a victim to the cancer 
that is ravaging his body because of his exposure to Agent Orange 
during his service in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. Greg served in the U.S. 
Navy and was honorably discharged in 1970. He received numerous medals 
and ribbons for his service, including the Meritorious Unit 
Commendation Ribbon and the Combat Action Ribbon for his service on the 
USS Hickman County LST 825 in the Brown Water Navy in Vietnam.
  Despite his lifelong fight against the effects of Agent Orange--or 
maybe because of it--he is passionate about improving the lives of 
veterans nationwide, and he has dedicated himself to doing so. A 
lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America and a committed member 
of Rolling Thunder Maryland Chapter 1, Greg has for many years been a 
part of the Wall Washing Crew, volunteers who wash and maintain the 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial from April to November each year. He also 
participates in the arrival of ``Honor Flights,'' greeting and 
escorting World War II veterans to the Memorial in Washington, DC. Greg 
has been active in assisting those affected by military life ever since 
his own discharge 40 years ago. He supports military families by 
sharing with them his own experiences and offering advice. He was 
critical to the creation of the Montgomery County Commission on 
Veterans Affairs and, most recently, he has been involved in the Mental 
Health Association of Montgomery County's initiative ``Serving 
Together: Troops, Veterans, and Family Care Project.'' He has 
tirelessly provided support and care for military families throughout 
our community.
  Greg is of African-American and Cherokee descent. He maintains a 
strong connection to his Native American heritage, having spent much of 
his life working with Native American organizations. In 2002, he was 
elected Council

[[Page E13]]

President of the American Indian Heritage and Education Association, 
Inc., an organization that serves the Native American community by 
honoring Native American culture and providing outreach to veterans and 
their families. In 1995, he helped plan the first American Indian 
Heritage Day Powwow in Montgomery County. More recently, he has 
produced two public access cable shows--``American Indians: Past and 
Present'' and ``Our Veterans, Our Warriors.''
  Greg's professional career has also been devoted to public service. 
He has served on countless boards and committees around Montgomery 
County. For example, he was President of the Park Ritchie Tenants' 
Association, Inc., served on the Board of Directors of Suburban 
Maryland Fair Housing, Inc., served three terms as a Councilmember for 
the City of Takoma Park, and served as chair of the Takoma Park Cable 
TV Advisory Board, the Montgomery County Community Leadership Task 
Force on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention, and the Public, Health and 
Safety Committee and the Housing Committee of the City Council. Greg's 
level of community involvement is extraordinary--he has never hesitated 
to be involved, to take a stand and to make a difference.
  Every resident of Montgomery County, Maryland and every veteran in 
America owes a debt of gratitude to Greg Hamilton for his dedicated, 
selfless, and passionate work. I am proud to speak today to honor this 
extraordinary man. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
Greg's many accomplishments, his lifelong work on behalf of our 
Nation's veterans and his profound commitment to honoring their 
service.

                          ____________________