[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 87 (Friday, June 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E821-E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF THE COALITION TO SALUTE AMERICA'S HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2016

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great 
American organization, the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, that 
recently celebrated 12 years of service this past May.
  The Coalition, headquartered in my district, is a 501(c)(3), 
nonprofit, non-partisan organization established in 2004 to provide 
severely wounded veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with 
immediate, invaluable lifelines. The Coalition is distinguished from 
other veteran-focused groups by its direct financial assistance to 
America's wounded warriors.
  Its Emergency Financial Aid program has stopped foreclosure 
proceedings on veterans' homes, kept their vehicles from being 
repossessed, put food on their tables, provided diapers for their 
babies, and even helped steer

[[Page E822]]

many men and women away from suicide. Its innovative Heroes Thanking 
Heroes program provides transitional, part-time, flexible employment to 
more than 40 combat-wounded veterans or their primary caregivers, 
enabling them to make phone calls from their homes, usually to 
personally thank donors for their contributions to the Coalition. Other 
aspects include an emergency financial aid program, a holiday gift 
program, and road to recovery conferences.
  The Coalition has done tremendous work in Virginia and across the 
country such as donating more than $45 million in direct aid to 
veterans. The Coalition has provided tens of thousands of dollars 
through grants to other notable veterans' organizations in Virginia and 
elsewhere. Under the leadership of a constituent of mine, President & 
CEO David Walker, the Coalition has further expanded its support of our 
wounded warriors and become one of the most respected veterans-support 
groups in the nation. In fact, over two-thirds of the Coalition's staff 
are combat-wounded or their spouse or caregiver.
  Recently, the Coalition made a substantial grant of direct financial 
aid to HeroHomes, another worthy organization, to assist five wounded 
veterans and their families with new homes that meet their different 
physical needs. The Coalition has also supported the Boulder Crest 
Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness in Bluemont, yet another 
organization in my district that is doing tremendous work for veterans 
who need mental and physical recovery from the suffering of war.
  I look forward to watching the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes 
continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many 
American heroes. The debt of gratitude owed to the men, women, and 
their families who have served as part of our nation's armed forces is 
impossible to repay. I have been honored to recognize their sacrifice 
and support efforts to empower members of the military as they adjust 
back to civilian life. To that end, I supported the Hire More Heroes 
Act, a common-sense bipartisan piece of legislation that will help 
create jobs for veterans transitioning to civilian careers.
  I am proud that the Coalition to Support America's Heroes is based in 
my district in Leesburg and know they will continue to help brave men 
and women all across our country. The work they do cannot be overstated 
and I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the important work 
the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes continues to do each day to 
help veterans.

                          ____________________