[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15007]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GARY BERMEOSOLO

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today I rise to congratulate Gary Bermeosolo 
who is retiring from his position as Administrator at the Nevada State 
Veterans Home in Boulder City. Gary dedicated more than 40 years of his 
life to serving our Nation's veterans and he touched many lives in the 
process. Nevada has been very fortunate to have a man like Gary working 
for our veterans, and I am privileged to recognize his accomplishments 
today.
  After returning from service in the U.S. Navy, Gary began his career 
in Idaho. For more than 20 years, Gary worked as the director of 
Veterans Services in that State. The Idaho Statesman awarded Gary with 
the Distinguished Citizen's award. He was also invited as the Honor 
Marshall for the Fourth of July Parade in Boise.
  Before my friend Chuck Fulkerson decided to retire from the Nevada 
Office of Veterans Services, he recruited Gary to come to Nevada. Gary 
took a position as the administrator of the Nevada State Veterans Home. 
This wasn't an easy task, and the new facility was facing many 
significant challenges. Gary worked diligently to address the concerns 
of the Veterans Affairs Administration and ensure that Nevada's 
facility complied with Federal regulations. Since Gary's arrival, the 
Nevada Veterans Home has provided first-class healthcare to Nevada's 
veterans and their family members. After a troubled start, the Nevada 
State Veterans home was recognized as one of the top 100 nursing homes 
in the Nation. That accomplishment would never have occurred without 
Gary's leadership and his dedicated staff.
  Gary's commitment to service is evident in nearly all of Gary's 
pursuits. Not only did Nevada's veterans benefit from Gary's creative 
problem solving, but he also spearheaded improvements in Veteran care 
through his work with the National Association of State Veterans Homes. 
As a legislative officer, a regional director, and as the president of 
the organization, Gary used the lessons he learned in Nevada to help 
veterans throughout the Nation. Just last year, Gary testified before a 
House of Representatives Subcommittee in support of increased 
flexibility in Federal payments for State veterans homes. The lives of 
many veterans have been directly impacted by Gary's tireless 
legislative advocacy for improved care.
  The mission of the Nevada State Veterans Home is Caring for America's 
Heroes. No one has embodied that spirit of service better than Gary 
Bermeosolo. Over the past decade, I have had the opportunity to work 
with Gary on many occasions. He has been a pleasure to work with. I 
have always been impressed by Gary's ability to innovate and find 
solutions for our Nevada veterans.
  Even in retirement, I am confident that Gary will continue to be a 
tireless advocate for those who have worn the uniform. On behalf of all 
Nevadans and all Americans, I am proud to thank Gary for his service to 
this Nation's veterans.

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