[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





         HONORING THE SERVICE OF THE QUILTS OF VALOR FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK E. GREEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 25, 2023

  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Quilts 
of Valor Foundation (QOVF) for its service to our Nation's 
servicemembers and veterans.
  The Foundation began in 2003 by the inspiration of Catherine Roberts 
of Delaware, whose son was serving in Iraq. Tormented at the thought of 
a soldier sitting on his lonely cot in despair, Ms. Roberts enlisted 
the service of her local quilt guild to make quilts for Walter Reed 
Military Medical Center.
  Since 2003, QOVF has expanded to over 10,000 volunteer members in 
over 600 groups nationwide, recently awarding its 350,000th Quilt of 
Valor. These quilts are made of the finest materials and designs, with 
each being appraised at a value between $600-$1,400. These quilts, 
however, are not charity quilts--they are ceremoniously bestowed awards 
earned by servicemembers and veterans for their commitment and 
sacrifices.
  While the estimated impact to the economy is $10,000,000 per year, 
the real benefits of these quilts cannot be quantified. Ms. Roberts' 
vision of providing comfort sends an unequivocal message to our 
Nation's servicemembers and veterans: ``Thank you for your service, 
sacrifice, and valor in serving our nation.'' One such veteran, John 
Rowdy Oxley--a Vietnam-era veteran--served at the Battle of Ap Bac and 
suffered from extreme PTSD. Now a Board Member of QOVF, John says that 
his receipt of a Quilt of Valor turned his life around. QOVF boasts of 
many such testimonies of lives changed by this simple, yet profoundly 
impactful gift.
  QOVF has partnered with American Gold Star Mothers, Authentically 
American, the National Grange, Wreaths Across America, JDX Racing, the 
Vietnam War Commemoration, and has a Platinum Rating by GuideStar.
  QOVF's contribution to our Nation cannot be overstated. Through the 
vision provided by Ms. Roberts to wrap the lonely soldier on a cot in a 
quilt, and through the tireless efforts of the Foundation and its many 
members, our servicemembers and veterans experience hope and healing. 
On behalf of the United States Congress, and as a veteran myself, I 
congratulate the Quilts of Valor Foundation on reaching 335,000 
servicemembers and veterans and thank them for their indispensable 
service to our country.

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