[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 141 (Tuesday, November 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN TRIBUTE TO MAURICE ``MO'' COLLIN ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE 
                   CONNECTICUT VETERANS HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2014

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of an 
extraordinary Marine Corps veteran from my Congressional District, Mr. 
Maurice ``Mo'' Collin, who this week is being recognized for his 
lifelong efforts to ensure our nation's promises to our veterans. Mo's 
service and advocacy for his brothers and sisters in arms has never 
wavered and has continued decades past his time in the Marine Corps. 
After returning home from the Vietnam War, Mo has devoted his life to 
ensuring that veterans get the services and support that they need.
  Mo's career of distinction began with serving in the Marine Corps in 
the Vietnam War and then transitioning to duty as a Veteran Service 
Officer, devoting his work to advocating for veterans after they return 
from combat. His positivity and commitment were unshakable, and he rose 
to the position of Supervisor of the Office of Advocacy and Assistance 
with the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and later to serve 
as the Acting Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans 
Affairs. Mo's experience, personality and commitment to the well-being 
of the veterans in his community made him uniquely qualified for these 
demanding jobs.
  As evidence of his selflessness, Mo has said that service to other 
veterans has helped him handle the mental and emotional stresses that 
military service can impose on the men and women who serve. Mo now 
encourages all veterans to take advantage of services available to them 
after admitting his initial reluctance to seek out help for the Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder from which he suffered. Mo continues to 
volunteer at the Newington, Connecticut VA Medical Center, as a driver 
for the Disabled American Veterans and as a Veterans Liaison for the 
West Haven VA Medical Center.
  His induction into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is the 
latest in a string of stirring achievements, motivated by the selfless 
desire to ensure that those who have served our country are well taken 
care of when they return home. On behalf of my colleagues in House, I 
thank Mo Collin for his service to his state and his nation and to 
congratulate him on his induction into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of 
Fame.

                          ____________________