[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2957-S2958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO GENE MURPHY

 MR. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, today I wish to 
pay tribute to a tireless and inspirational advocate for veterans 
across this Nation. Gene Murphy is retiring as adjutant of the South 
Dakota chapter of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), just the latest 
in a number of State and national veterans organizational posts he has 
served with distinction over the years.
  Gene served in the United States Army in Vietnam. Just 30 days before 
he was scheduled to return home to the United States, Gene was 
paralyzed by two gunshots to his right side. He holds the Purple Heart 
and the Bronze Star with V Device.
  Shortly after his return to the States, Gene became a lifetime member 
of the Disabled American Veterans, embarking on a 45-year career of 
serving the Nation's veterans and their families. Gene has shown 
tireless advocacy and a strong commitment to ensuring veterans receive 
the care and attention to their issues that they deserve and were 
promised.
  Gene has been actively involved with the DAV at both the State and 
national level. From 1987-1988 he served as the DAV National Commander. 
In 1984, he was selected as the Nation's Outstanding Disabled Veteran 
of the Year. Gene served 20 years on the South Dakota Veterans 
Commission. He is a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 
Military Order of The Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 
South Dakota Veterans Council. In 1979, he was named South Dakota's 
Handicapped Citizen of the Year.
  Gene has been a steadfast advocate for veterans, whether the issues 
included improving health care services, conditions and access to care 
within the Department of Veterans Affairs; expediting consideration and 
decisions on claims for benefits; or shining the spotlight on the 
unique health care needs of veterans exposed to Agent Orange, who 
suffer from post-traumatic

[[Page S2958]]

stress disorder, or who were victims of traumatic brain injuries. 
Countless veterans in South Dakota have been able to make it to their 
VA appointments because of the DAV's transportation network and Gene's 
efforts in this area. Gene has brought awareness and education to 
elected officials and the general public on veterans mental health 
issues. He is keenly aware that military service impacts family members 
of veterans as well and has been an advocate on their behalf, too. Gene 
has also been instrumental in working to get the American Veterans' 
Disabled for Life Memorial built in Washington, DC, serving on the 
foundation's board of directors and as the treasurer of the Disabled 
Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation, Inc.
  The native South Dakotan has been hawkish on budget issues facing the 
VA, making sure that the voices of veterans--young and old--are heard. 
Any effort to minimize, decrease or eliminate services to veterans 
would meet a stern challenge from Gene Murphy. He is aware of the 
financial impacts of increased copayments on indigent veterans. He 
remains steadfastly passionate that veterans, no matter what category 
or priority they are placed in, receive the full faith and commitment 
of their government when it comes to care and benefits.
  I have always been impressed by Gene's passion and commitment to 
veterans, their families and their issues--whether it be a widow 
seeking benefits, a veteran seeking consideration of their overdue 
claim, or an era of veterans seeking compensation due to chemical 
exposure in a war zone. I have always valued and appreciated Gene's 
input on the plethora of issues impacting veterans. During my early 
years in Congress, Gene was very helpful in providing me with a better 
understanding of the many important issues facing veterans and their 
families, and I have relied upon Gene's insight on such issues 
throughout my congressional career. Gene never sugar-coats his requests 
or his statements; it is always done with candor and frankness. Nobody 
can second-guess Gene Murphy's passion for veterans.
  Although Gene's term as adjutant of the South Dakota Disabled 
American Veterans is scheduled to end with the South Dakota DAV's State 
convention, and there are rumors that Gene may be stepping back from 
his consistently full plate of activities on behalf of South Dakota's 
and the Nation's veterans, I cannot believe that Gene's voice will be 
silent. I hope he will continue to provide me with advice and counsel 
on veterans issues.
  I commend the lifetime of work by Gene Murphy on behalf of the 
Nation's veterans. I congratulate him on his numerous awards and the 
leadership roles he has held and taken for veterans over the past many 
decades. Veterans and their families have a true advocate in Gene 
Murphy and are better off today because of him. I commend his work with 
the DAV and other veterans organizations and wish Gene and his wife 
Eldine well in his retirement.

                          ____________________