[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 159 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING DAVID M. BAIRD

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2023

  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
David M. Baird for his selfless dedication and service to the veterans 
of Eastern Washington. On September 24, 2023, after 13 years of service 
as Director of the Spokane Veterans Center, David began a new journey 
as the Senior Social Worker at the Boise VA Medical Center in Idaho.
  David is a Navy veteran and therapist with a distinguished record of 
service. In his role as director, he completely transformed the Spokane 
Veterans Center from a small, simple office to a much larger and more 
welcoming facility. As a result, the Vet Center--as it's known to those 
it serves in our community--is more equipped to keep the promise of 
supporting veterans than ever.
  Under David's leadership, the Vet Center has become a model of best 
practices. It's home to top-notch social and psychological services, as 
well as readjustment counseling programs, all of which have received 
national recognition for the high level of compassion and care they 
provide. On average, the facility serves more than 15,000 veterans who 
walk through its doors each year.
  These programs offered at the Vet Center have served as a lifeline 
for veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They 
connect veterans with one another in open, non-judgemental settings, 
removing the stigma that is too often a barrier to seeking help. They 
have also been crucial for Gold Star families who rely on the Center 
for bereavement counseling as they cope with the heart-piercing grief 
of losing a family member on active duty.
  Mr. Baird also established new therapeutic practices and facilities, 
including the ``Heroes Garden'' on the Spokane Vet Center campus, which 
offers a safe place for peaceful reflection to veterans and Gold Star 
family members. Additionally, he created a Native American sweat lodge 
experience for veterans and family members that takes place four times 
a year. David accomplished all this while successfully implementing a 
first-in-the-nation childcare program for veterans seeking readjustment 
counseling appointments at the facility.
  David's dedication and tireless efforts have made him invaluable to 
our community. He has volunteered countless hours as a mental health 
professional for the Honor Flight Association, partnered with nonprofit 
agencies to provide stress-reduction wilderness retreats for veterans, 
and served as the Veteran Entry Coordinator for Spokane's annual Lilac 
Festival Torchlight Parade--the largest Armed Forces Day Parade in the 
Nation.
  The number of lives David has changed is too many to count. I am 
deeply grateful to him for his dedication to our veterans, our 
community, and the United States of America through the years. Mr. 
Speaker, as David enters this new and exciting chapter, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in thanking him for his incredible contributions 
and wishing him all the best.

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