[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF ELLSWORTH ``TONY'' WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT FRANKLIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2023

  Mr. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize 
veteran and hero, Major Tony Williams, who today will be inducted into 
the Florida Veteran's Hall of Fame. Tony's exemplary service has made 
an unmistakable impact in the lives of countless Florida veterans.
  Ellsworth `Tony' Williams was born in Fort Hood, Texas as a dependent 
of a career Vietnam Army combat veteran before making the decision to 
join the U.S. Army himself, serving 24 years on active duty, eight as 
an enlisted soldier and sixteen as a commissioned officer.
  Tony's service in the U.S. Army was marked by distinction. He was 
awarded a Bronze Star and three Meritorious Service Medals for his 
actions in Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
Freedom.
  Perhaps most remarkable, Mr. Speaker, is the care Tony displays to 
his community and fellow vets. After retiring in 2007, he returned to 
school to pursue graduate training in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 
from Troy University.
  After receiving his counseling degree, Tony made it his mission to 
help veterans struggling with their mental health, becoming a leading 
voice for veteran suicide prevention in his community. Tony established 
his nonprofit, Veterans Counseling Veterans, Inc., to provide 
counseling and emotional support to active duty, National Guardsmen, 
reservists, veterans and their families. Veterans Counseling Veterans 
also provides professional and career development support for those 
seeking a career in behavioral health.
  Tony received several mental health counseling awards to include a 
2014 National Award for Social Service from the American Mental Health 
Counseling Association. He sits on the Hillsborough Veterans Council, 
Florida Mental Health Counselor Association's Military Interest 
Committee, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's Regional Veterans Advisory 
Council and is the American Legion Post 5 Veteran Affairs and 
Rehabilitation Committee Chair.
  Major Tony Williams says it's in his bones to help veterans and their 
families, and he believes his latest recognition from the Florida 
Veteran's Hall of Fame is simply another `assignment from God,' calling 
him to continue his good work.
  I commend Major Williams for his sacrifices both in the U.S. Army and 
in his tireless efforts to help fellow Florida veterans. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating him.

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