[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              TRIBUTE TO CENTRAL OREGON VETERANS OUTREACH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay special tribute to Central Oregon Veterans Outreach (COVO) for 
their tireless efforts on behalf of homeless veterans in Oregon's 
Second District. Since its founding in 2005 by members of the Bend/La 
Pine Vietnam Veterans of America, COVO has grown from a handful of 
concerned veterans reaching out to other veterans in the homeless camps 
around the area to a full-fledged nonprofit organization with countless 
volunteers, a dedicated staff, and a truly professional board of 
directors.
  In the early years of this organization, a small group of Vietnam 
veterans took it upon themselves to visit homeless camps on the High 
Desert, providing much needed supplies and support to those veterans 
who fell upon hard times and were in desperate need of a hand up. 
Today, COVO has a full time staff that coordinates continuing volunteer 
efforts to deliver food, water, tents, sleeping bags, clothing, and 
propane to the region's homeless camps. In addition to making weekly 
trips with supplies, COVO has transformed a van into a mobile medical 
clinic that is staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and medical staff 
who provide free care to the homeless population each week. This is an 
invaluable service to those in need.
  COVO continues to provide free assistance to veterans in the form of 
benefits claim-filing, bus passes, medical shuttle reservations, and 
assistance with accessing resources like the HUD VASH housing voucher 
program and transitional housing at their 6-bed ``Home of the Brave'' 
facility. COVO continues to advocate for those veterans who are most in 
need of assistance and who are unable to be their own voice in times of 
need.
  Mr. Speaker, we like to say, ``We will never forget what our veterans 
have done for our way of life.'' They put their lives on the line for 
this country, and we cannot turn our backs on them. Any of them.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in recognizing 
COVO for their staunch and invaluable advocacy on behalf of our most 
vulnerable veterans: President Linda Heatley; Secretary/Treasurer Rob 
Bryce; Directors Susan Steves, Craig Jorgensen, Rickie Gunn, Jerry 
Chinn, Dan Lauderback, Lauri Imholt, and Dr. Elizabeth Leeburg; 
Executive Director Chuck Hemingway; Counselors Alex Weiss and Allen 
Wilson; Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program staff Steve Wilkes, Ruth 
Clark, and Yvonne Devine; Outreach Coordinator Lisa Miller; Volunteer 
Coordinator Kim Darling; Office Administrator and DAV Shuttle 
Coordinator Chuck Man; Housing Manager Steve Haupt, and; Veteran 
Service Officer Patricia White and VSO Intern Kim Burger.
  Mr. Speaker, the staff, board, and volunteers who comprise COVO 
deserve the thanks of a grateful nation for all they have done and 
continue to do for the veterans of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson 
Counties.

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