[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO PATRICK PALMERSHEIM

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize 
Patrick Palmersheim for being awarded the Medal of Honor from the Iowa 
State Daughters of the American Revolution.
  Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 and 
incorporated by Congress in 1896 as a national volunteer organization 
committed to encouraging patriotism and promoting American ideals 
though better education for our nation's children. Nationwide, DAR 
boasts more than 170,000 members from 3,000 chapters across all 50 
states in addition to various international chapters as well.
  The most prestigious honor awarded by Daughters of the American 
Revolution is the DAR Medal of Honor. To receive this prestigious 
award, one must be a native born American who has shown an 
extraordinary commitment to the qualities of service, leadership, 
trustworthiness and, of course, patriotism. DAR Medal of Honor 
recipients are recognized for making lasting contributions to our 
American heritage through selfless service to their country, state, 
community and fellow man.
  Accordingly, Mr. Palmersheim has been serving Iowans his entire 
career. Patrick served nine years in our nation's Air Force before 
civically serving in his rural Iowa community through his roles on the 
city council, as a volunteer firefighter, and as mayor. In 2002, he was 
appointed Executive Director of the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs 
by then Governor Tom Vilsack. Patrick's leadership in his new role 
directly led to Iowa becoming the first state in the U.S. to pass 
legislation that allowed nursing homes the opportunity to report their 
residents for potential eligibility for federal benefits from the 
Veterans Administration. Mr. Palmersheim was also instrumental in 
establishing the long-desired Iowa Veterans Cemetery, which has 
provided a final resting place for 80,000 veterans since its 
groundbreaking in November of 2006.
  Mr. Speaker, what Mr. Palmersheim has done for the state of Iowa and 
our veterans cannot be understated. He is truly the benchmark for which 
this prestigious award is bestowed. It is an honor to represent Patrick 
and all of Iowa's veterans in the United States Congress and I trust my 
colleagues in the House will rise to join me in congratulating Patrick 
for all he has done.

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