[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ON RECOGNITION OF THE TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS

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                            HON. RON BARBER

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 2013

  Mr. BARBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Tragedy Assistance 
Program for Survivors.
   The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors or TAPS assists 
families of our Armed Forces who have lost their military loved one. 
TAPS is a resource that provides 24/7 tragedy assistance based on a 
framework of peer-to-peer emotional support. Their programs fill the 
crucial need of connecting survivors with survivors to provide comfort, 
compassion, healing and hope in time of need.
   For nearly 20 years, TAPS has provided essential support to more 
than 40,000 military family members and those assisting them. TAPS 
successfully builds on the experience of survivors by connecting them 
as peer-mentors to other grieving family members in similar 
circumstances.
   However, connecting survivors is just the beginning. TAPS continues 
its outreach and support through grief seminars, camps for kids and 
physical events. The TAPS network in not a one-time liaison but a 
continuing support framework that provides continuous compassion and 
assistance to families as they grieve.
   Ms. Bonnie Carroll founded TAPS in 1994 after she tragically lost 
her husband in 1992, Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, in a military plane crash. 
Sensing an unfilled need, Ms. Carroll established TAPS to ensure 
surviving military family members have the necessary resources to cope 
with their loss. Since then, Ms. Carroll has dedicated her life to 
supporting our surviving military families. Ms. Carroll and all of the 
TAPS volunteers are deserving of our highest thanks and honor.

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