[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E457-E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DEDICATION OF THE LILLIAN G. BURRY WOMEN'S WING

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2023

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, this week in my district in New 
Jersey, veterans, leaders and local officials will be dedicating the 
Women's Wing at the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community in Tinton 
Falls--and will be appropriately naming it in honor of my good friend 
and extraordinary public servant, Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian 
G. Burry.
  For more than a decade, Commissioner Burry has been the quarterback 
in the push to meet the compelling housing and service needs of 
homeless veterans in our community.
  When Lillian and I first heard of and met with John Downing of 
Soldier On more than ten years ago, we decided that's what we need in 
Monmouth County.
  We quickly discovered that Soldier On created world-class housing 
opportunities coupled with vital services for homeless veterans, and 
the impact has been enormous and life changing.
  In July 2012, we secured a million-dollar grant to Soldier On to 
provide housing assistance and stability to our veterans so that they 
could remain in their homes even when times are difficult.
  Although there were many setbacks along the way--including an 
inability to secure space at Fort Monmouth--Lillian never quit and 
helped lead the way through some of the toughest road blocks. 
Ultimately, Lillian's dream of creating a homeless veterans housing 
initiative in Monmouth County became a reality in 2021 with the grand 
opening of the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Village.
  Set on a six-acre village-like setting, this amazing community offers 
a wide-range of supportive services, general wellness, health and 
social opportunities in addition to permanent housing for those who 
have courageously stepped up to serve our great nation and have put 
their lives on the line to defend our fundamental freedoms.
  This state-of-the-art complex for homeless veterans that provides 70 
fully furnished one-bedroom apartments--including its special wing 
reserved for women--would not have been possible without Lillian's 
tenacity and skill in making it happen.
  As a devoted military wife to U.S. Coast Guard Captain Don Burry for 
over 65 years, Lillian has long known firsthand the tremendous 
sacrifices made by our nation's service members and their loved ones.

[[Page E458]]

  Residents across Monmouth County have benefitted from Lillian's 
courage, tenacity, can-do spirit, wit and determination. Along with 
helping our veterans, Lillian has expanded services through her work 
for open lands, libraries, infrastructure improvements, the arts and 
much, much more. A former Matawan councilwoman, mayor of Colts Neck and 
the first female Director of the County Board of Chosen Freeholders, 
Lillian has greatly enhanced our quality of life in Monmouth County.
  Thanks to Lillian's unwavering commitment to our veterans and her 
enduring perseverance, for the first time in years--even decades--many 
veterans finally have a place to live and hope and thrive in Monmouth 
County.

                          ____________________