[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATING RON AND LISA GREENWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2013

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in recognition 
of Ron and Lisa Greenwood, who will be presented and honored with the 
Gold Coast Veterans Foundation's Founders Award for their dedication 
and commitment to the veterans of Ventura County.
   As a decorated combat veteran in Vietnam, Ron knows the complexities 
of those who return from war. His personal experience and struggles 
with PTSD and social integration challenges allow him to relate to the 
issues that our returning veterans face. Committed to supporting our 
veterans, Ron has worked closely with many veterans' advocacy and 
community groups.
   His personal narrative resonates in all aspects of his work. As 
President at Global Energy & Technology, Inc., Ron continues to give 
back to the community and to our veterans. He has provided employment 
opportunities, as well as professional guidance, to many of our 
returning servicemembers.
   Similarly, Lisa Greenwood has also been a tireless advocate in her 
pursuit of giving back to our veterans and their families. She has 
worked with the Association of Service Disabled Veterans (ASDV) in 
Washington, DC. She is currently the National Chair of the Silver Star 
Women of America, an arm of the Association of Service Disabled 
Veterans, and has testified before the House Committee on Veterans 
Affairs.
   With an extensive background and service history, Ron and Lisa 
opened the doors of the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation in 2009. With 
the Greenwood's vision, the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation has been 
able to successfully assist returning veterans in reaching their full 
potential. The Gold Coast Veterans Foundation has given our local 
heroes the resources to become productive and responsible citizens 
while helping them to make an easy transition back into their 
communities.
   Their steadfast commitment to Ventura County's veterans has been 
invaluable and their work and efforts to address the needs of returning 
veterans are emblematic of their work that the Gold Coast Veterans 
Foundation accomplishes on a daily basis. The Greenwoods have created 
an organization that has far reaching impacts on our community.
   In 2010, in collaboration with the Ventura County Community 
Foundation, the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation founded the Ventura 
County Veterans Fund to specifically facilitate the transition of Iraq 
and Afghanistan veterans back into our community. Their mission is to 
provide employment assistance, counseling, education, and housing to 
all of our returning veterans.
   Earlier this year, the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation opened its 
Veterans Service Center to provide health and human services to Ventura 
County's veterans. This organization cultivates an open forum for 
veterans' groups and organizations that serve to develop and care for 
veterans. Their mission is not only to provide care, but to encourage, 
inspire, and motivate.
   I applaud Ron and Lisa Greenwood for their continued generosity and 
dedication to serving our brave servicemembers and their families. It 
is my sincere honor to join the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation in 
recognizing the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of Ron 
and Lisa Greenwood, and I commend them for the difference that they 
make in the everyday lives of our veterans.

                          ____________________