[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING BUNKERS IN BAGHDAD

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                           HON. CHRIS COLLINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 28, 2014

  Mr. COLLINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time 
to speak about an outstanding organization headquartered in Buffalo, 
New York: Bunkers in Baghdad.
  The organization was started by Joe Hanna in 2008 after learning that 
golf had become a favorite form of stress relief for soldiers serving 
in combat zones overseas. The purpose of Bunkers in Baghdad is simple--
they collect new and used golf balls and golf clubs and then ship them 
overseas to soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The program 
also includes injured veterans who are currently recovering in Wounded 
Warriors programs and other military installations and VA hospitals 
across the United States.
  The first official shipment of golf balls went out in November 2008 
to reach Iraq in time for the holidays. The inaugural shipment was made 
even more special by the fact that it was coordinated and packaged by 
students from the Williamsville Central School District. In addition to 
raising money to ship each box directly through the United States 
Postal Service, the students packed each box with balls, holiday cards, 
and letters they wrote to the soldiers.
  I would like to recognize and congratulate the organization on their 
accomplishments. In just 5 short years, Bunkers in Baghdad has 
collected and shipped 5 million golf balls and 150,000 golf clubs to 
our military service men and women and wounded warriors in all 50 
states and 30 countries around the world. This initiative, focused on 
those who have given so much, is an example to us all as we continue to 
honor those who serve.

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