[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 174 (Friday, October 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1449-E1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO ASSEMBLYWOMAN SHARON QUIRK-SILVA, THE IRVINE CITY COUNCIL, 
   FIVEPOINT AND THE ORANGE COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK FOUNDATION

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                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 27, 2017

  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few moments today to 
honor Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, the Irvine City Council, 
FivePoint, and the Orange County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation for 
their contributions to the Orange County Veteran Community.
  These organizations have paved the long and tiresome road to 
establish the Southern California Veterans Memorial Park in EL TORO, 
Irvine, California. Their combined efforts have produced an ideal final 
resting place for our Nation's Veterans that our Orange County 
residents can be proud of.
  In 2014, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva introduced AB-1453, which marks 
the beginning of the journey to established a Veteran Cemetery in 
Orange County. Through Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva's efforts and 
relentless advocacy, the bill gained the support of various State 
legislators. AB-1453 was approved and signed by Governor Brown on 
September 27, 2014, just months after Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva 
introduced the bill.
  The Irvine City Council pressed forward by diligently searching for a 
proper location for the veteran cemetery within the Old Marine Corps 
Air Station, El Toro, which is of great significance to Vietnam-era 
Veterans. After much debate over the location, the council agreed on an 
ideal site, proposed by the FivePoint Company. The council's leadership 
and resolve would be instrumental in helping pass the necessary 
resolutions to move forward on the Veterans Cemetery.
  The contributions made by FivePoint should also not go unknown. 
Fivepoint helped facilitate the selection of a pristine site for the 
veteran cemetery by proposing a land exchange deal with the Irvine City 
Council. Fivepoint's unyielding support for the veteran community and 
the county illustrates their belief of being a community based 
cooperation.
  Finally, the Orange County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, 
comprised of Korean and Vietnam War Veterans, was instrumental 
throughout the early conception of a Veterans Cemetery in Orange 
County. The relentless advocacy, collaboration, and achievements by 
Bill Cook, Zeke Hernandez, Brian Chuchua, Peter Katz, and Robert Brower 
will be a testament to their commitment to one another and the veteran 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the groups of individuals that 
have fought to establish a proper final resting place for our Nation's 
Veterans and the positive impact they have made on the Orange County 
Community.

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