[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 25 (Friday, February 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING DELISA RUSSELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FLORES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 8, 2019

  Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Delisa Russell 
of Waco, Texas, former Executive Director of the Heart of Texas 
Veterans One Stop.
  The Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop opened in 2013 as a central 
location where veterans and their families could access available 
resources under one roof. The first of its kind in the nation, Veterans 
One Stop is a comprehensive veteran service resource that offers mental 
health counseling, legal services, assistance with veterans' benefits 
and claims, and provides access to food, showers, laundry, and fitness 
facilities.
  Prior to coming to the One Stop in 2016, Delisa served others, 
including veterans, through social work and counseling. Delisa 
graduated from Baylor with a bachelor's degree in Political Science 
with a minor in social work, and continued her education at Baylor with 
two master's degrees in Sociology and Psychology. She focused her 
career toward counseling those in need and leading organizations 
dedicated to the care of the most vulnerable.
  Delisa recently stepped down from her position at the One Stop to 
pursue other opportunities to help the community. The impact of her 
time as Executive Director cannot be overstated.
  In her three years as Director, Delisa supervised the transition of 
Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop to a larger location. This new 
location was able to increase the amount of services the One Stop 
provided, with new showers, laundry, and kitchen facilities, all 
donated by the members of our Central Texas community. In 2017, the 
Guardians for Heroes Foundation, which carries out the mission of the 
late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, installed a gym at the One Stop for veterans 
to maintain their physical and mental health.
  Last year, the Veterans One Stop opened the Robert Carter Veteran 
Transition home. This home is aimed at helping veterans with families 
to create a stable environment during their adjustment from military to 
civilian life. Veterans One Stop covers the cost of utilities at the 
home, which was built and furnished with support from the community. 
One Stop helps the families develop a plan for life after living in the 
home.
  Under Delisa's leadership, the Veterans One Stop has gone from 
serving less than 2,000 veterans to over 24,000. Each week, the One 
Stop serves meals to more than 200 veterans and last year's annual 
Thanksgiving dinner was its largest, serving more than 800 people.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Delisa Russell for all of her 
service to the veterans in the Central Texas community. I wish her the 
best in her future endeavors and look forward to seeing the Veterans 
One Stop's continued progress.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over our Nation's 
Capitol to recognize the accomplishments of Delisa Russell and the 
Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country, for our veterans, for our military men and women who protect 
us, and for our first responders who keep us safe at home.

                          ____________________