[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24505]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA STUDENTS, 
         FACULTY, AND STAFF WHO HAVE SERVED OUR NATION IN IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2009

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask this chamber to 
recognize the students, faculty, and staff at California University of 
Pennsylvania who have valiantly served their country in Iraq. Cal. U. 
students have an exemplary record of serving our country in times of 
need and have done so again during the war in Iraq.
  There have been nineteen California University students who have been 
deployed to Iraq. Furthermore, five members of the staff and faculty 
were also deployed. Many were part of the Pennsylvania Army National 
Guard 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, north of Baghdad. This was the 
largest National Guard call-up in support of a single operation in the 
history of the university. I have joined my colleagues in recognizing 
the 56th Stryker Brigade by becoming an original cosponsor of H. Res. 
754, which honors the citizen-soldiers of the National Guard of the 
State of Pennsylvania, including the 56th Brigade Combat Team (Stryker) 
of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard on its return to the United 
States from deployment in Iraq.
  Madam Speaker, these students, just like countless others across 
Pennsylvania and the rest of the country, are choosing to serve their 
Nation and put their own education on hold.
  I have seen the consequences and effects of returning home after 
combat and I am pleased that Cal. U. has an Office of Veterans Affairs. 
This office has been instrumental in helping veterans reintegrate into 
the university community and has helped to facilitate the issuance of 
G.I. Bill benefits. This is an excellent way to help those who have 
given so much to our country.
  I wish to conclude my remarks by commending the California University 
of Pennsylvania students, faculty and staff members who have selflessly 
dedicated themselves to our great Nation by serving their country. I 
would also like to commend students and university staff and faculty 
across our great Nation who have done the same.

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