[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING OPERATION HELPING HAND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Operation Helping 
Hand. Operation Helping Hand was started in May 2004 as a project of 
the Tampa Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, 
MOAA, with the primary mission to support and assist military patients 
being treated at the James A. Haley VA Hospital and their visiting 
families. It was noted that some of the families visiting their 
wounded, sick, and injured active duty military patients were unable to 
pay for motels, and were sleeping in their cars. That proved to be 
enough justification to offer necessary services.
  Over the course of eight years, Operation Helping Hand has helped 
over 750 of our active duty military wounded and injured, and countless 
family members, assisting with their personal needs while in Tampa, 
helping with the family's mortgage and bills back home, or whatever the 
service member or family needed to allow their primary focus to remain 
on healing, whether it be in Tampa or back home where the family 
resides.
  Aside from responding from their daily needs, Operation Helping Hand 
sponsors Bronze Star, Purple Heart and other medal or retirement 
ceremony receptions and hosts a monthly dinner for the patients that is 
attended by an average of 250-300 people. These monthly dinners honor 
our wounded and injured active duty military patients who are given 
proper recognition, and flowers and gifts at each monthly dinner.
  In October 2012, the 100th consecutive monthly dinner will be held. 
By its stated mission, Operation Helping Hand will continue to do all 
possible to aid the Tampa patients and their families as long as their 
services are required.
  Operation Helping Hand's efforts to improve the quality of life for 
severely injured services members is truly inspiring. It is with great 
honor that I rise today to recognize their tireless commitment to those 
who have served our country. I look forward to watching this 
organization grow and further its mission of assisting and supporting 
the families of injured service members.

                          ____________________