[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO VERNON VALENZUELA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor the life and service of longtime Kern County veterans' 
advocate and Vietnam veteran, Vernon Valenzuela, who recently passed 
away due to cancer at the age of 63.
  Vernon began his career in service to our country during the Vietnam 
war where he was wounded in 1968. Upon returning home, he attended 
Bakersfield College and became president of the Associated Veterans 
Student Club, where he developed his passion for helping his fellow 
veterans and their families in Bakersfield and around Kern County.
  Vernon cared deeply about the well being of veterans, and he 
eventually became a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in 
helping veterans with Post Traumatic Stress transition into civilian 
life after experiencing combat. In 2008, after advocating for a Vet 
Center to be built in Kern County, Vernon was hired as the Team Leader 
for the Bakersfield Vet Center where he was further able to help 
veterans transition and re-enter civilian life.
  His most recent legacy is the establishment of the Veterans Justice 
Program in Kern County, which helps provide veterans--some of whom may 
have mental or other combat-related illnesses--who get in trouble with 
the law a second chance by ensuring they receive access to mental 
health and substance abuse programs provided by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. While many doubted such a justice program could be 
formed and much less work, Vernon made it happen by bringing everyone 
together on behalf of all the local veterans returning from war and in 
need of help.
  Vernon's work has touched the lives and benefited thousands of local 
veterans and their families. The loss of Vernon will surely be felt in 
our communities, and we express our deepest condolences to his wife 
Lise, his son Robert, and his daughters Alison and Katherine. His 
selflessness, perseverance, and service-minded dedication will continue 
to serve as an inspiration in our community and remain a constant 
reminder we must all continue to have of our commitment to the men and 
women in the Armed Forces who bravely serve our country.

                          ____________________