[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HEROES FROM OPERATION TURKEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETH VAN DUYNE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 14, 2025

  Ms. VAN DUYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our Texas-24 Hometown 
Heroes, the volunteers of Operation Turkey Dallas and Operation Turkey 
Forth Worth for their work to provide Thanksgiving meals to people in 
need.
  After Richard Bagdonas gave his Thanksgiving leftovers to a homeless 
man in Austin, he was inspired to launch Operation Turkey, which 
expanded to our community in 2012. North Texas answered the call to 
serve, with local volunteers providing thousands of warm meals per 
year.
  Their work begins well before this, but on the day before 
Thanksgiving, volunteers gather for a Turkey Tailgate to smoke turkeys, 
sort toiletry and clothing donations, and prepare for an early start. 
The morning of, helpers of all ages set up, cook, plate, package, and 
deliver meals and other items to North Texans in need. In 2023, 
Operations Turkey Dallas and Fort Worth provided a combined 5,400 meals 
to members of our community.
  I thank the volunteers of Operation Turkey for ensuring North Texans 
have a hot meal on Thanksgiving. Their work exemplifies the generosity 
that makes our community special.

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