[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 74 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 10354

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                           HON. BETO O'ROURKE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2016

  Mr. O'ROURKE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to recognize the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10354, locally 
known as the Madrid-McLaughlin-Navarrete Post, located in the Mission 
Valley of El Paso, Texas. I am pleased to recognize them as a 
distinguished Veteran Service Organization.
  The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10354 was founded on April 15, 1952 
and named after three outstanding El Pasoans: Daniel Madrid, an 
Airborne Trooper with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment who died 
while serving in Europe during World War II; Francis J. McLaughlin, a 
service member with the U.S. Army who died while serving in the South 
Pacific theater during World War II; and Manny Navarrete, a U.S. Army 
retiree who returned to El Paso after transitioning out of the military 
and continued his service to our country though his active 
participation and advocacy with Post 10354.
  Since its inception, Post 10354 has dedicated itself to serving 
veterans, current service members and their families, and community 
members throughout the El Paso community. Today, the Post is made up of 
143 members. Collectively, these members contribute 3,000 volunteer 
hours a year as a Veterans Service Organization, mainly focused on 
assisting veterans file their benefits claims, appeals, and other 
medical requests with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Other 
examples of Post 10354's service to the El Paso community includes 
their biannual picnics with food, music, and youth activities; food 
drives during the holiday season; and partnerships with El Paso 
schools, including the Ysleta Independent School District, where they 
encourage and work with students to identify opportunities to give back 
to the El Paso community.
  I thank the VFW and the Madrid-McLaughlin-Navarrete Post 10354 for 
their commitment to honoring our veterans and helping to strengthen the 
El Paso community's dedication to public service. I am glad that 
Veteran Services Organizations like these exist in my district, and I 
thank them for their selfless service.

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