[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1344-E1345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF WOUNDED WARRIOR FELLOW EDWARD RELLA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding member of my staff, Mr. Edward Rella. Ed joined my office 
in March of 2012 through the U.S. House of Representatives' Wounded 
Warrior Program. After a successful and productive fellowship, Ed will 
be moving on and his last day with my office will be Friday, September 
20, 2013.
  A native of New Jersey, Ed served as an Armored Crewman in the U.S. 
Army and served tours of duty in Kuwait and Bosnia. During his 
successful military career, Ed was awarded three Army Achievement 
Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, two Armed Forces Expeditionary 
Medals and a National Defense Service Medal.
  I was honored to have the opportunity to participate in the Wounded 
Warrior Program and have Ed join my Albany District Office last year. 
Since 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives has operated and funded 
the Wounded Warrior Program, offering full-time, two-year fellowships 
to veterans who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, 
have a 30% or greater VA disability rating and less than 20 years of 
service. Veterans accepted into the program are employed by a House 
office to gain skills and work experience that will assist them as they 
transition to full-time, civilian employment.
  As Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military 
Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, it is important 
to me to have the insight, knowledge, and services that only a Veteran 
can provide and Ed has been an outstanding asset to my office. He has 
served as a caseworker on Veterans issues and military affairs-related 
matters. He has represented my office very capably at numerous events 
and made a number of presentations on my behalf. I have received 
extremely positive feedback from my constituents and veterans 
organizations about his performance and constituent service.
  Ed is an example of public service at its finest and his work on 
military and Veterans issues, his first-hand knowledge of these issues, 
and his advocacy on behalf of the veterans of Georgia's Second 
Congressional District have been invaluable to my office. Ed has a 
tremendous work ethic and has gone above and beyond the highest 
standards expected from a Wounded Warrior Fellow. Truly, Ed is not just 
a member of my staff; I am proud to call him a friend.

[[Page E1345]]

  Ed's service to his country and his community are but a small 
testimony of the high caliber of character that he embodies. He is 
kind, funny and friendly to everyone. One of the things I admire most 
about Ed is his never-ending positivity. Even in the most difficult and 
stressful times, he will find a way to make anyone laugh.
  Ed has a big personality to match his big heart and we will certainly 
miss having him on the staff. We have grown accustomed to hearing his 
favorite sayings: ``Sharing is caring,'' and ``It's all good.'' He 
likes to think he can dance and will try to dance to anything with a 
good beat. He loves fried chicken and is hooked on the delicious fried 
chicken offered in the Albany area.
  Ed has accomplished many things in his life but none of this would 
have been possible without the enduring love and support of his loving 
wife, Tracey, and his wonderful children, Taylor, Edward and Sydney.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, 
along with my Congressional staff and the more than 700,000 people in 
Georgia's 2''I Congressional District, in recognizing, commending and 
extending our sincerest appreciation to Edward Rella for all of the 
meaningful work he has done for our fine District.

                          ____________________