[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 4, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S7769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO ROBERT PARK

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I wish to recognize and congratulate 
Mr. Robert Park, director of the Portage County Veterans Service 
Commission, on his retirement after more than two decades of service to 
Ohio veterans.
  Mr. Park served 26 years in the naval service, retiring in 1997 as a 
chief aviation electronics technician, Aircrew. He flew more than 2,000 
hours in a P-3 Orion aircraft, predominately as a radio operator with 
Combat Aircrew 6 in Patrol Squadron 93, where he was selected as ``Gold 
Wing Sailor of the Year.''
  During his time with the Portage County Veterans Service Commission, 
VSC, Mr. Park worked directly with staff to help maintain a high-
quality standard of service to veterans. Mr. Park advocated to 
significantly increase VA benefits for Portage County veterans. 
According to the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, for every dollar 
Portage County spends related to the VSC, veterans in Portage County 
receive $93.20 in benefits thanks to the work of Mr. Park.
  Mr. Park's dedication to veterans and military families in Portage 
County extends beyond his position at the Portage County VSC. Mr. Park 
also served as a board member for the Family and Community Services 
Freedom House, which is an organization that serves homeless veterans. 
Mr. Park is also a member of many veterans organizations, including the 
local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American 
Veterans chapters.
  Mr. Park also served statewide as second vice, first vice, and 
finally as president of the Ohio State Association of County Veterans 
Service Officers. He also worked for many years as an instructor for 
the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
  Nationally, Mr. Park advocated for veterans as an executive board 
member, judge advocate, and instructor on the National Association of 
County Veterans Service Officers.
  Beyond his dedication to veterans, Mr. Park continues to support his 
community through involvement in organizations that help develop young 
people as future leaders. Mr. Park currently serves on the board of 
Access to Independence and the Rootstown Local School District. He also 
volunteers as an assistant coach for both baseball and soccer, as well 
as Cub Master and Scout Master for local Cub and Scout Troops.
  Mr. Park and his wife, Rebecca, have three children: David, Jonathan, 
and Rachel.
  Bob will be truly missed not only by his VSC family, but by the 
veteran community in Portage County and throughout the State of Ohio. 
Bob always gave his best to the veterans and families he served. I 
would like to thank Mr. Park for all his years of service, as a sailor 
and later as an advocate for veterans. I wish him all the best in his 
retirement.

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