[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 71 (Monday, May 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MATTHEW RANSDELL, HONORED FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTEER AT BAY PINES 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2013

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute 
to Mr. Matthew Ransdell for his commitment to serving our wounded 
veterans. Over the past two years he has committed countless hours 
serving our wounded Veterans at Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare 
System (VAHCS). While volunteering, he brings joy and happiness to 
everyone that he meets and works with.
   Bay Pines VAHCS provides excellent health, psychiatric and extended 
care services for over 10,000 Veterans a year as they return home and 
integrate back into civilian life. Bay Pines is made up of nine 
facilities along Florida's west coast, and provides outstanding 
healthcare to Florida's Veterans. The 3,500 staff members and 1,500 
volunteers have made it possible for the men and women that have served 
this nation in uniform to obtain the best possible care.
   Matthew is just one of those 1,500 volunteers, but he stands out for 
his exceptional service to the facility and its patients. He has 
dedicated over 1,000 hours of his time, in the past two years, to 
volunteering. During this time spent, he has created thousands of 
smiles for both patients and staff. He makes people smile with anything 
from a simple thumbs up to his signature ``happy dance'' that he has 
perfected in his time at Bay Pines VAHCS. Everyone, from patients to VA 
directors, dances with him. In addition to bringing vast amounts of 
happiness, he works in the Voluntary Service storage room by organizing 
and delivering robes, books, shirts, and toiletries to Veterans in the 
medical center.
   I would like to recognize Matthew as a patriotic and incredible man 
who continues his part to serve the country. He has found a way to 
share his gifts of love and cheerfulness with the men and women who 
have selflessly put their lives on the line for our freedom. For this, 
I would ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking and commending 
Matthew for his service and dedication to our Nation's heroes.

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