[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28618]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BILL NICHOLS STATE 
                             VETERANS HOME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I respectfully request the 
attention of the House to pay recognition to an important day for the 
Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City, Alabama.
  This important Veterans facility opened November 30, 1989, and was 
named after William ``Bill'' Nichols, who was instrumental in making 
Alabama's first state veterans home a reality. Congressman Nichols, a 
World War II Veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, 
was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966 and 
served until his passing in December of 1988.
  The Bill Nichols State Veterans Home is a 150-bed skilled nursing 
home for our Veterans, and because of its excellent quality of care, 
has well over 100 Veterans awaiting admission. To date, over 1,500 of 
our heroes have resided there.
  The Bill Nichols State Veterans Home was awarded the 2009 Quality 
Award from the American Health Care Association for its commitment to 
continuous quality improvement in long-term care. On November 30, 2009, 
the facility and its proud employees will host a 20th Anniversary 
Celebration program followed by a luncheon and open house.
  I would like to congratulate this facility, its proud employees and 
the community for reaching this important milestone. These Alabamians 
are shining examples of dedication for the brave men and women who have 
served our country in uniform and I wish them all the best at this 
important occasion.

                          ____________________