[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18171]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                       OPERATION AMERICAN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it's a privilege to speak today about 
Operation American Heroes, an organization founded in 2009 by Vietnam 
War Veteran and Houston businessman, John Carloss. Mr. Carloss 
recognized gaps in government support programs and has been working 
endless hours to create Operation American Heroes.
  Mr. Carloss knows American heroes consist of more than just our 
warriors fighting overseas. Police officers, firefighters, border 
patrol agents, and first responders are just a few of the occupations 
fighting the front lines at home. They all sacrifice to make sure 
Americans are safe. As Mr. Carloss likes to say, we can give a little 
for those who have given much and have suffered difficulties and 
deserve our support overcoming obstacles they may be facing due to 
their service.
  Operation American Heroes provides immediate and long term funding 
for non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of those 
who have sacrificed so much to ensure we are safe. Their unpaid Board 
of Directors works with local businesses to raise these funds. They are 
proud to cover expenses so one hundred percent of all funds raised go 
towards immediately helping heroes, or to the foundations endowment 
which will support many future generations of heroes.
  Every year American Heroes are honored during the week of September 
11th by Operation American Heroes. Individuals can show their support 
in a unique way by becoming a ``21 Gun Saluter'' and business owners 
are encouraged to donate a small percentage of their sales for the 
week. Mr. Carloss said, ``These brave men and women are the reason that 
we have the freedom to start, grow and prosper our businesses. It is 
only right that every business gives a small portion of their success 
in thanks.''
  This organization proves, yet again that, in Texas, patriotism is 
alive and well. Texans honor not only our fallen heroes, but those who 
have survived.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________