[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 110 (Thursday, June 26, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2976-H2977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MELINDA WOODHURST

  (Mr. Norman of South Carolina was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an extraordinary 
public servant, Ms. Melinda Woodhurst, whose unwavering dedication to 
our Nation's veterans has left a lasting mark on York County, South 
Carolina. Her strong advocacy and innovative thinking has transformed 
the landscape of veteran services and has created meaningful change for 
our servicemembers and their families. She is a prime example of 
servant leadership.
  Since 2017, Ms. Woodhurst has served as the York County veterans 
service officer. Month after month, she attends meetings with numerous 
Veteran Service Organizations and the York County Veterans Advisory 
Council to stay closely connected with the needs of her community. Her 
involvement also extends to partnerships with the hospice network of 
York County and other vital support institutions.
  Ms. Woodhurst's service to our community has been far-reaching, 
particularly through her work with the Disabled American Veterans. The 
chapter's aging transportation van, affectionately known as the bag of 
bolts, finally gave out during a trip to Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center. Even when fundraising progress stagnated, Melinda stepped 
forward on her own time to raise over $30,000, enabling the purchase of 
a new van. She also worked to submit an application for a Disabled 
American Veterans Trust Fund grant, bringing the potential total 
funding to nearly $60,000.
  Ms. Woodhurst's leadership goes much further than fundraising. 
Understanding that the certification process for volunteer drivers 
through the Dorn VA could take up to 9 months, she collaborated with VA 
representatives and identified a solution. Thanks to her coordination, 
Melinda streamlined the

[[Page H2977]]

entire certification process, condensing it into a single trip to Dorn. 
As of January 10, 2025, this process has resulted in 14 certified 
drivers, which was a dramatic improvement that is now being considered 
for statewide implementation.
  Her vision extends beyond boundaries, as she prepares to transition 
the management of the Veterans Transportation Program to the newly 
opening VA community-based outpatient clinic this summer. This will 
ensure that the impact of her work continues long after her tireless 
efforts.
  Melinda Woodhurst is not only a dedicated public servant but also a 
compassionate leader and an unwavering advocate for our veterans. Her 
work is a shining example of what true civic responsibilities look like 
that I know will shape generations to come. Her efforts have cut red 
tape, saved time and money and, most importantly, provided critical 
services to those who have sacrificed for our Nation.
  We recently found out that Ms. Woodhurst, due to family reasons, is 
going to retire as of this week, and I just want to extend to her a 
slogan that Winston Churchill said years ago when Great Britain was 
under attack. He said: There will be a time when doing your best isn't 
good enough. You have got to do what is required.
  Melinda Woodhurst has done what is required to serve her community, 
her State, her country, and more importantly, her God.
  On behalf of the Fifth Congressional District of South Carolina, I 
extend my deepest appreciation for her tireless efforts and exemplary 
service for those who serve our Nation. I thank her and wish her 
Godspeed in her retirement.

                          ____________________