[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 147 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE FRESNO VETERANS HOME OF CALIFORNIA

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2013

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the 
Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation and the California 
Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) upon the grand opening of the 
California Veterans Home in Fresno. This veterans' home is not simply a 
brick and mortar building. This home is a promise we have made to the 
veterans of the San Joaquin Valley, and at long last we are keeping our 
promise.
  Veterans in the San Joaquin Valley face great challenges every day. 
Tragically, more than 600 veterans in Fresno and Madera Counties go to 
sleep every night without a roof over their head. Guided by the belief 
that no man or woman who wore the uniform of the United States military 
should ever experience the scourge of homelessness, we set a goal of 
building a home to serve the needs of the veterans in the San Joaquin 
Valley.
  Over the years, I have worked closely with the Central California 
Veterans Home Foundation (CCVHF), local veteran Charlie Waters and 
countless other volunteers and veteran advocates to plan, strategize, 
obtain funds and jump hurdles to be where we are today. Throughout the 
years, I have had many conversations with the United States Department 
of Veterans Affairs (VA) to keep the funding in place for this home and 
with Cal Vet to break ground and begin construction.
  This gorgeous home at 2811 West California Avenue is located in my 
16th Congressional District in Southwest Fresno and is a 300 bed 
facility with state-of-the art design and architecture. The facility is 
bringing employment to people in the Central Valley and security to our 
veterans who desire to live out the rest of their life with great honor 
and pride.
  In May 2010 we were all at the future site of the home breaking 
ground on this beautiful piece of property. We shoveled dirt and we 
anxiously looked forward to this day with a great desire to quickly 
help the many veterans who would benefit from this home. However as we 
celebrate this grand occasion, we should pause to remember three 
dedicated veteran leaders from the foundation who were with us from the 
beginning and have since passed away. During the fight for the home, we 
lost George Sinopoli in 2006, Charles ``Chuck'' Parnell just a few 
months after we broke ground in 2010, and Bill Dietzel earlier this 
year. These great veterans worked closely with me and fought the great 
fight for this home. Their hard work and dedication will not be 
forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, the opening of the California Veterans Home in Fresno is 
truly a long-awaited and special event. I rise today to commend and 
congratulate CalVet, the VA, the Central California Veterans Home 
Foundation and all the organizations and individuals that have made 
this the opening possible. I invite my colleagues to join in wishing 
the home and its future residents great success.

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