[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 51 (Monday, March 25, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H2766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on National Medal of 
Honor Day to recognize the recipients of our Nation's highest military 
distinction for acts above and beyond the call of duty.
  Twenty-five Medal of Honor recipients hail from Arkansas. Their 
stories of self-sacrifice are not forgotten.
  Today, we pay tribute to those individuals for their meticulous 
service, sacrifice, and heroism.
  I would like to also recognize and thank Arkansas Boy Scout Donald J. 
Fitzgerald for his outstanding work to preserve the legacy of Medal of 
Honor recipients and their stories.
  Over the last 3 years, Donald has visited the graves of over 160 
Medal of Honor recipients, documenting several Medal of Honor 
recipients' stories and lives.
  He chose to share with the world what he learned, and wrote a book 
about his travels titled, ``Our Missions of Honor''.
  I applaud Donald for his initiative, his efforts, and dedication to 
all Medal of Honor recipients past and present.
  We pray that their efforts may be long remembered by our citizens.


                           Gulf War Memorial

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two 
fellow Arkansans, Jeff Kurczek and Brenten Byrd, for their valiant 
efforts to memorialize the bravery and legacy of veterans who served in 
Operation Desert Storm.
  Operation Desert Storm was one of the most successful operations in 
American military history. Over 700,000 Americans were deployed 
overseas to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's invasion. 383 
Americans lost their lives in that conflict, including four Arkansans.
  Last month, former Vice President Dick Cheney and others took part in 
the dedication of the future site for the National Operation Desert 
Storm Memorial located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
  Jeff, a Sherwood, Arkansas, accountant, served our country for the 
duration of the Gulf war and acts as the organization's treasurer and 
CFO.
  Brent lives in Elm Springs, Arkansas, where he works with the 
Veteran's Affairs Department on the mental well-being of our veterans. 
He served honorably in the U.S. Marines and later in the U.S. Army 
during Desert Storm. He now acts as the organization's communications 
director.
  I thank them for their service to our Nation and commend their good 
work and efforts to honor the brave men and women who took part in 
Operation Desert Storm.


                  Van Buren County Wellness Committee

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 
efforts of the committed professionals at Van Buren County and their 
determination to improve that community's health and well-being.
  The Van Buren County Wellness Committee, founded by former County 
Judge Roger Hooper in 2017, seeks to create a bridge between local 
health resources, information, and initiatives to improve the health 
and well-being of the residents.
  At present, three grant-funded health-awareness kiosks have been 
installed across the county featuring asset mapping of community health 
resources and county health initiatives.
  These kiosks allow residents to find the best doctors and healthcare 
services within their communities, connecting individuals with the 
services they need, from food insecurity to mental health support and 
recovery.
  I would like to extend a hand of gratitude and congratulations to 
Roger and the entire Van Buren County Wellness Committee for their 
worthwhile investment in the health of our citizens in that county.

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