[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10438-10439]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO RICHARD L. TALBOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise with my 
colleague Congresswoman Ellen O. Tauscher, to recognize Richard L. 
Talbott, Regional Manager for the Readjustment Counseling Service, 
Pacific Western Region within the Department of Veteran's Affairs, and 
congratulate him as he approaches his retirement this June and thank 
him for his outstanding service to our nation's military veterans.
  Dick served our country with honor as a member of the US Army, 9th 
Infantry Division

[[Page 10439]]

and from 1968 to 1969 fought in Vietnam. Following his release from 
active duty, Dick began his VA career. He first joined the San Diego VA 
Medical Center, Psychology Department and in 1988 he became a counselor 
at the Escondido Vet Center. Dick was soon promoted to the position of 
Team Leader, a position he held from 1990 through 1993. It was during 
this period that Dick also served as the Executive Director and CEO of 
the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (VVSD), and co-authored a ``how to'' 
manual on Stand Down for homeless veterans. It was largely due to 
Dick's tireless efforts and his keen sense of purpose that the program 
was deemed a huge success, as he more than doubled the residential 
services capacity for homeless veterans and was the primary negotiator 
in securing nearly $2 million for expanded homeless veteran services 
related to the base closure process in San Diego. The Stand Down as 
developed in San Diego, has been replicated by agencies across our 
country and is considered by experts in the field, a stellar program 
for providing a wide range of services to our homeless and at risk 
veterans.
  It was at this time that Dick also took on the responsibilities of 
Regional Manager for the Readjustment Counseling Service. Since 
assuming this position, he has been responsible for the oversight and 
operation of thirty-two highly successful Vet Centers throughout 
California, Hawaii, Oregon, and the Territory of Guam.
  Madam Speaker. we invite our colleagues to join us in also thanking 
Dick's wife Maureen, his daughter Megan and son Michael for the 
sacrifices they have undoubtedly made during the span of his career. We 
join today with his family, colleagues, friends, and most importantly 
with the men and women of our veteran communities across the nation who 
have benefited most from his work, in recognizing, celebrating and 
sincerely thanking Richard L. Talbott for a remarkable career.

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