[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 99 (Thursday, June 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE VA ANN ARBOR FISHER HOUSE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2019

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fisher House 
for their exemplary work in service of our nation's veterans and their 
families. Today, we celebrate the groundbreaking of the VA Ann Arbor 
Fisher House which will provide critical temporary housing for the 
families of servicemembers.
  Fisher House provides free lodging for the families of active 
military and veterans while their loved ones are undergoing treatment. 
This program has saved the families of our servicemen and women an 
estimated $451 million in costs for lodging and transportation. With 
nearly 650,000 veterans, Michigan is the largest state without a Fisher 
House. Fisher House Michigan formed in November 2016, and as of April 
2019 has raised over $5.5 million towards its goal of $20 million for 
construction and support costs of new facilities in Michigan. The VA 
Ann Arbor Fisher House will be the first in the state of Michigan, with 
plans to create a second location in Detroit at the John D. Dingell VA 
Medical Center already underway.
  The VA Medical Centers in Southeastern Michigan receive approximately 
1000 requests for lodging from veterans and their families every month. 
The creation of a Fisher House in Michigan will provide significant 
financial support for these groups through free lodging as their family 
members undergo treatment. This critical work reaffirms our commitment 
to supporting our active military and veterans as they continue to 
protect our nation. We thank Fisher House Michigan for its exemplary 
work supporting the families of our servicemembers and congratulate 
them on the ground breaking of the VA Ann Arbor Fisher House.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Fisher 
House for their dedicated work. Their efforts to provide high-quality 
services to the families of our nation's veterans and active military 
are worthy of commendation.

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