[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 42 (Friday, March 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, CHAPTER 17

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SUSIE LEE

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 8, 2019

  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) from Chapter 17 in Las 
Vegas, Nevada.
  I foremost acknowledge their service to our country as veterans of 
one of the nation's deadliest wars. These brave men and women answered 
our nation's call to serve without hesitation and with the utmost 
commitment to service and country. Upon returning from this war, they 
continued their service to their brothers and sisters in arms by 
becoming active members of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
  VVA members in southern Nevada and across the country are dedicated 
to improving their communities and the lives of their fellow veterans. 
From supplying wheelchairs to Las Vegas area veterans with 
disabilities, to providing countless resources to homeless veterans--
including job training, providing showers and haircuts, VVA goes above 
and beyond in serving their community. They also advocate for their 
fellow returning service members, helping them with Department of 
Veterans Administration disability claims and appeals assistance. These 
forms of aid are the bedrock of their continued commitment to service 
of both community and their fellow veterans.
  Their duty to serving their country is unwavering, and our duty to 
them is as well. We all are responsible to care for every veteran and 
servicemember as they have cared for us. No veteran should be without 
adequate health care, housing, or employment. Health benefits need to 
extend to mental health services and suicide prevention, along with 
benefits for Vietnam veterans suffering from the effects of Agent 
Orange. After service, veterans become teachers, police officers, 
mechanics, and more, which requires the best job training and education 
to set them up for success. This is our duty as citizens and elected 
officials, and we must do our best to uphold our end of the deal.
  The positive impact and influence of the VVA Chapter 17 extends as 
far as the mountains that encircle the Las Vegas Valley and as close as 
the lives they touch through their public works. In an area with a 
population of hundreds of thousands of veterans, we should be so lucky 
to count these individuals amongst our friends and advocates.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing VVA Chapter 17 for 
their commitment to service, to country, and to improving the lives of 
countless veterans of the Las Vegas Valley.

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