[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20460]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOHN HARDARDT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay tribute to John Hardardt, a truly dedicated public servant from 
Durango, Colorado. John has been a devoted champion of veterans issues, 
and I would like to join my colleagues here today in recognizing his 
tremendous service to helping America's veterans before this body of 
Congress.
  John served in the Army for fourteen years and fought in the Vietnam 
War. Since then, he has undergone more than forty surgeries in VA 
hospitals as a result of combat related injuries. As La Plata County's 
first Veteran's Service Officer, John was instrumental in expanding VA 
services to the rural area. He led a five year struggle to bring a VA 
clinic to the city of Durango, Colorado, and managed to obtain the 
necessary funds to purchase vans for transporting veterans in need of 
medical attention. After serving so effectively in Durango, John has 
recently accepted a promotion and will be continuing his work in Long 
Beach, California.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Veterans Service Officer John 
Hardardt for his service to this country, and his dedication to the 
heroes of our armed services. John man is a great patriot, and it is a 
pleasure to recognize him today before this body of Congress and this 
Nation. Thank you, John, for everything you have done for the veterans 
of La Plata County. Congratulations on your promotion, and I wish you 
all the best in your future endeavors.

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