[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 21, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING JOEL COURREGES

 Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I am honored to pay tribute to 
Joel Courreges, a Washingtonian, a marine, and commander of the 
Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 5, upon his passing.
  Joel Courreges was a man who never stopped serving his community, his 
State, and his country. Joel served our Nation as a marine in the 
Vietnam war, returning with disabilities both visible and invisible. 
Having seen firsthand how difficult the transition home can be, he made 
it his mission to smooth the path for his fellow veterans as they 
returned from service. Joel became the commander of the Disabled 
American Veterans, Chapter 5, in Bremerton, WA. In this role, he not 
only dedicated countless hours to helping veterans file claims with the 
VA and making sure they could make their appointments, he even drove 
them himself if they couldn't get there on their own.
  But that wasn't all. As Joel saw what more and more veterans were 
going through, he realized the system wasn't working. Too many 
veterans, especially those with PTSD and other wounds of war beneath 
the surface, were getting caught up in courts that didn't understand 
their unique needs and weren't prepared or designed to help them get 
back on their feet. Because of Joel's drive and vision, the Kitsap 
County Veterans Court was created, with the goal of helping the men and 
women who sacrificed to defend our freedoms get a hand up when they 
were most in need.
  Having seen Joel's efforts firsthand, I know without a doubt that his 
dedication to public service lifted countless others, especially 
veterans who have given our country so much, and helped them lead the 
fulfilling lives they deserve. I will always be grateful to Joel for 
his kindness, his generosity of spirit, and his determination to make a 
difference. My thoughts are with his family and all those who loved 
him.

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