[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MS. SHARON HODGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK TAKANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2023

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary 
advocate for our Nation's veterans and congratulate her on her 
retirement.
  For 28 years, Sharon Hodge has left an indelible mark on the 
landscape of veterans' advocacy through her work with Vietnam Veterans 
of America.
  As Deputy Director for Policy and Government Affairs, Sharon's 
expertise has guided critical legislative and regulatory strategies at 
the national level. Her counsel to myself and my staff on the House 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs has been invaluable, shaping policies 
that touched the lives of countless veterans.
  Through her tireless efforts, she established a robust online 
advocacy network. enlisting over 2000 legislative coordinators and 
spearheaded numerous grassroots campaigns. Sharon's work facilitating 
this activism was instrumental in the enactment of the Homeless 
Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act, the Toxic Exposure Research Act, 
and the PACT Act.
  Beyond her role at VVA, Sharon served as Commissioner for the 
Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, where her work led to 
the establishment of a crucial VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.
  Sharon Hodge's accolades are numerous, each one a testament to her 
compassion and tireless advocacy. From the VVA Commendation Medal to 
the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Brain Trust Award, her 
contributions have been recognized at the highest levels.
  I thank Sharon for her decades of dedicated service to Vietnam 
Veterans of America and to our Nation. May her legacy inspire us all to 
champion the causes that matter most, to stand by our veterans, and to 
leave no one behind.

                          ____________________