[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 136 (Friday, August 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1055-E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING VERMALENE SMITH'S VSO SERVICE

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                     HON. ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 16, 2019

  Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Vermalene 
Smith of Jonesboro, Arkansas, who faithfully served as the Craighead 
County Veterans Service Officer the past 12 years. Without a doubt, our 
country's 18-plus million veterans would be much better served if every 
VSO had Ms. Smith's knowledge, determination, and passion.
  When I first took office in 2011, Ms. Smith literally opened her 
office doors to my veteran's caseworker, allowing her to observe and 
learn the VA processes so we could best serve veterans in the first 
congressional district of Arkansas. Since then, Ms. Smith readily made 
herself available to my office, offering us advice and direction when 
veterans experienced complex issues or bureaucratic red tape.
  If a veteran had a need, Ms. Smith pinpointed a resource to fill it. 
She often located suits or clean clothes for veterans facing job 
interviews. She found places for veterans to live while in transition, 
even contacting local hotels to provide lodging. She made sure no 
veteran was buried without a proper funeral. And in situations where 
Ms. Smith did not have an available resource, she organized efforts to 
create one.

[[Page E1056]]

  Yes, finding Ms. Smith's replacement will prove daunting. She, 
however, leaves behind the most treasured legacy of all--that of 
investing in people, including the veterans for whom she cares so 
deeply and the individuals seeking to help them. Consequently, I have 
no doubt Craighead County is left in good hands based on the leadership 
example Ms. Smith set.
  My office formally congratulates Ms. Vermalene Smith on her 
retirement, and we wish her many happy years ahead reflective of the 
stellar service she provided veterans in Northeast Arkansas.

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