[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 159 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING DIXIE FERGUSON

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2023

  Mr. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my 
dear friend, Dixie Ferguson, for her outstanding work and life-long 
dedication to serving our men and women in uniform and the veterans of 
our Eastern Washington community.
  Dixie began her service journey in 1966 when she joined the American 
Red Cross after graduating from the University of California, Davis. 
She joined the Clubmobile Service and provided support to our combat 
troops in Vietnam as a ``Donut Dolly.'' Dixie became well-known for her 
work at USO shows--singing, dancing, and serving food--to the young men 
fighting for our freedom who were missing home. After returning home in 
1968, Dixie served as a social worker at Long Beach Naval Hospital in 
California, Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Colorado, and the Naval 
Hospital at Camp Pendleton where she supported those wounded in combat.
  Fast forward more than 50 years later, and Dixie is still serving our 
active duty and retired service members through the American Red Cross 
Chapter in Walla Walla. In 2016, she earned the Red Cross Volunteer of 
the Year Award for her work as an outreach and emergency communications 
caseworker.
  Dixie has gone above and beyond volunteering her time through the 
years. Most recently, she has played an instrumental role in 
documenting the stories of those who served in World War II and Vietnam 
through the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. To date, she 
has helped record nearly 200 veterans' stories. Additionally, Dixie has 
helped coordinate flights in the skies of Walla Walla for nearly 700 
veterans as part of The Honour Project, while also proudly helping 
members of the Greatest Generation make their journey to visit the war 
memorials in Washington, D.C. as a part of the Inland Northwest Honor 
Flight.
  There is truly no task too big or too small for Dixie. Throughout the 
years, she served on a local committee responsible for bringing the 
second Gold Star Families Monument to Washington state. In 2021, she 
established Volunteers Love Serving Veterans, a local non-profit 
committed to service. Most recently, she organized and planned an 
annual POW/MIA ceremony event, where she welcomed a Congressional Medal 
of Honor recipient to be the guest speaker.
  One thing is certain: There are very few in our country who have 
rolled out the red carpet for our veterans like Dixie Ferguson has. Her 
love of service and dedication to our veterans has brought endless joy 
to the Walla Walla military and veteran community that continues to 
grow each year.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 
outstanding service of Dixie Ferguson to our men and women in uniform. 
Her work on their behalf is awe inspiring, and the profound impact she 
has had on our Nation's heroes will leave a legacy not soon to be 
forgotten.

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