[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5691-S5692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING DAVID SOUSA

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate David Sousa 
on his being elected the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, Nevada 
Department Commander for 2015. I am proud to honor a Nevadan who has 
dedicated his life to serving our country and is committed to ensuring 
that our Nation's heroes receive the care that they deserve.
  Commander Sousa has had a long and decorated military career in the 
United States Army for over 25 years. During his service, he has served 
missions in Kenya and Somolia and went on to serve in ``Operation Iraqi 
Freedom'' in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, as a member of the 72nd Military Police 
Company. He also went on to serve in ``Operation Enduring Freedom'' in 
Kandahar, Afghanistan, as a member of the 422nd Expeditionary Signal 
Battalion. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Commander Sousa for 
his courageous contributions to the United States of America and to 
freedom-loving nations around the world. His service to his country and 
his bravery and dedication earn him a place among the outstanding men 
and women who have valiantly defended our Nation.
  As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I recognize

[[Page S5692]]

the important role the Veterans of Foreign Wars plays for combat 
veterans and military servicemembers from the active, Guard, and 
Reserve forces. This distinguished national group of veterans has been 
a constant influence, furthering the voice of all of our Nation's 
heroes. On July 22, 2014, at the 115th National Convention, David Sousa 
was elected Nevada Department Commander. Commander Sousa has served and 
held many roles within the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization for 
the past 10 years and has previously been named the VFW Outstanding 
Veteran for 2006. His work for the VFW is exemplary, and I expect great 
things from him as he assumes his role as Nevada's Department 
Commander.
  Commander Sousa's focus of his work for this year is suicide 
prevention and awareness for veterans, as well as working towards a 
safer community for veterans. I commend Commander Sousa on this 
important goal and look forward to working with him to achieve this. As 
a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I recognize that 
Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave individuals 
who serve our Nation but also to ensure they are cared for when they 
return home. I am concerned about the needs of Nevada's veterans, 
especially those suffering one of the most common injuries from the 
Iraq and Afghanistan wars--post-traumatic stress. I believe Congress 
has a responsibility to enact policies that will help veterans overcome 
these difficulties and ensure that the Department of Defense and 
Department of Veterans Affairs have the resources necessary to meet the 
growing needs of Nevada and our Nation's veteran communities. I remain 
committed to upholding this promise for our veterans and servicemembers 
in Nevada and throughout the Nation.
  I am both humbled and honored by Commander Sousa's service and am 
proud to call him a fellow Nevadan. Today, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Commander Sousa for all of his accomplishments and 
wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

                          ____________________