[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 143 (Saturday, October 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1503-E1504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 12, 2013

  Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. Speaker, there are all types of organizations 
in our great country that help others in need; that is one of the 
trademarks of America--helping those who have less opportunity. Today, 
I would like to recognize the good folks at the Fisher House 
Foundation.
  Operated by Department of Veterans Affairs, Fisher House relies on 
donations from Fisher House Foundation, so that military families can 
stay at no cost while their loved ones receive treatment from nearby 
hospitals. Fisher House serves as a home away from home for our 
nation's military families, offering temporary housing for their 
families in a setting that feels more like a home than a motel. Fisher 
House has a passion for taking care of our nation's veterans by 
offering temporary housing for their families in a setting that feels 
more like a home than a motel. The houses are located within walking 
distance of where their loved one is being treated. Many times, family 
members live far away from the hospital; it can get pretty expensive 
paying for hotels, gas, food, and any other expenses that come up.
  Fisher House is named after its founder, Zachary Fisher. Born in 
Brooklyn in 1910, Zachary quit school at 16 to help his family as a 
bricklayer. He later became a real estate mogul and philanthropist. One 
day, Zachary noticed a young man camping in his car in a VA hospital 
parking lot. Zachary asked the man why he was living in his car and the 
man told Zachary Fisher that he lived far away and could not afford a 
hotel. Thus began the idea of the Fisher House Foundation. Zachary and 
his wife, Elizabeth, founded the first House in Bethesda, Maryland in 
1990.
  Currently, there are 62 locations open in the United States and 
overseas, and there's still a need for more. One out of every nine 
service-members in the U.S. military is from the State of Texas, so 
it's no surprise that there are more Fisher Houses in Texas than any 
other state. We have twelve houses, and two are located at the Michael 
E. DeBakey Medical Center in Houston. The second house in Houston was 
opened this past September.
  Since 1990, Fisher House has helped more than 180,000 families, 
saving more than 200 million dollars in lodging and transportation 
costs. Last year alone, over 19,000 families were able to be by their 
loved one's side because the Fisher House provided a place to call home 
for a time.
  Not only do they provide a place to stay, but in some cases, Fisher 
House helps transport family members to their wounded loved one. The 
Hero Miles Program uses donated frequent flyer miles to bring family 
members to the bedside of injured servicemembers. The Foundation also 
manages a grant program that supports other military charities and 
scholarship funds for military children, spouses, and children of 
fallen and disabled veterans.
  Again and again the Fisher House Foundation shows commitment and 
compassion for our military families. Recently, the Foundation decided 
to fund military families' death benefits during the shutdown. They 
continue to support our veterans and their families in their time of 
greatest need.
  I applaud the Fisher House for its continued generosity and 
dedication to serving our servicemembers and their families. This is a 
remarkable organization, and I commend them for the difference that 
they make in the lives of our veterans.
  And that's just the way it is.

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