[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 161 (Friday, October 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING MS. CONSTANCE HADDELAND, 2017 RECIPIENT OF THE PATRICK 
                              HENRY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 6, 2017

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Ms. 
Constance Haddeland, a 2017 recipient of the Patrick Henry Award from 
the National Guard Association of the United States, which honors local 
civic leaders who have distinguished themselves with outstanding and 
exceptional service to the Armed Forces of the United States and the 
National Guard. ``Connie'' as we know her is a Constituent Services 
Representative in my Saint Paul, Minnesota office. She was nominated 
for this recognition by MG Richard C. Nash, Minnesota National Guard 
Adjutant General, who presented this award to her this week at the 
133rd Airlift Wing in Minnesota.
  For more than 10 years Connie has exemplified a wholehearted 
commitment to the well-being of Minnesota service members, veterans and 
their families. Her efforts have resulted in quality of life benefits 
for National Guard members and Reservists, improved services to 
veterans and all Armed Forces Service Members serving in Minnesota.
  First in 2010 and again in 2012, Minnesota National Guard members 
returned home from deployments and found themselves without Post 
Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence Program (PDMRA) benefits and 
``bonus pay.'' Connie spearheaded communication between constituents 
and my office on this issue, providing updates to veteran service 
organizations and other stakeholders, and working to ensure benefits 
parity for Guardsmen and Reservists by correcting errors in the way the 
Department of Defense implemented this program.
  As coordinator for U.S. Service Academy nominations in the Fourth 
District, Connie has led an exemplary program, shepherding applications 
from hundreds of students resulting in the nominations of scores of 
Minnesota's best and brightest high school students to attend our 
nation's prestigious service academies.
  Connie has touched the lives of hundreds of veterans, military 
personnel and their families in deep and meaningful ways through her 
thoughtful, patient and tireless advocacy on their behalf. Among the 
most poignant casework successes include assisting the family of an 
ailing World War II veteran locate the service records necessary to 
award him the Bronze Star before he passed away. She also assisted a 
young soldier correct his military records, which allowed him to access 
GI Bill benefits to pursue a career in medicine and become a trauma 
surgeon.
  The National Guard Association of the United States Patrick Henry 
Award citation states it best:

       Connie Haddeland has distinguished herself by providing 
     selfless and dedicated service to the Minnesota National 
     Guard and the United States, by working long and tireless 
     hours representing the members of the National Guard. Her 
     steadfast professionalism, knowledge of Minnesota National 
     Guard priorities, outreach efforts, and casework management 
     have significantly contributed to successful and meaningful 
     legislation advanced by Congresswoman McCollum on behalf of 
     the men and women of the National Guard. Her dedicated 
     service as a Constituent Services Representative and Service 
     Academy Nominations Coordinator are in keeping with the 
     finest traditions of the National Guard Association of the 
     United States.

  Mr. Speaker, I could not agree more. Please join me in paying tribute 
to Ms. Connie Haddeland for her many past and future contributions to 
our veterans, servicemen and women and their families.

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