[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18180]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             DEDICATION OF THE RYAN WINSLOW VETERANS CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2012

  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to announce to this House 
that the Clay Veterans Center in Center Point in the Sixth District of 
Alabama has been rededicated as the Ryan Winslow Veterans Center.
  The renaming honors the patriotic service of Marine Lance Corporal 
Ryan George Winslow, who lost his life in Iraq defending our freedoms, 
and also recognizes his parents, George and Marynell Winslow, who 
instilled in their son high character and a desire to serve others.
  Ryan Winslow, who attended Hoover High School and Jefferson State 
Community College and belonged to Shades Crest Baptist Church, enlisted 
in the U.S. Marine Corps in January 2005. Deployed to Iraq with the 2nd 
Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, 
Lance Corporal Winslow performed his duties with great dedication, 
distinction, and drive despite his young age. Tragically, Ryan suffered 
fatal injuries during combat operations in Al Anbar Province on April 
15, 2006. He died at the age of 19. Ryan's memory is held in high 
honor, respect, and love by his family, friends, and the many 
individuals that he touched during a too-short life.
  Turning personal loss into a passionate resolve to help others, the 
Winslows have become great advocates for all soldiers and veterans in 
Alabama. Marynell Winslow played a lead role in founding Gold Star 
Families of Alabama to recognize service members who have given their 
lives in defense of our country and provide comfort to their families. 
Gold Star Families has recently undertaken a project to build a 
memorial at the American Village to Alabamians who have given their 
lives in service to our country since 9/11.
  The Veterans Center in Center Point is a special place. Opened in 
December 2010 by Three Hots and a Cot, a truly inspiring nonprofit 
organization, the center offers safe shelter to homeless military 
veterans and helps with their transition back to an independent 
lifestyle. With a staff that includes formerly homeless veterans, the 
center goes beyond offering housing and meals and provides services 
such as life skills training, job searches, transportation to VA 
hospitals for medical appointments, and companionship and stability. It 
is a model example of the responsibility and duty that we have as a 
society to assist the veterans who have sacrificed for us.
  The tremendous amount of good that has been done and that will be 
done in the Veterans Center will now serve as a lasting tribute and 
thank you to Ryan Winslow and his family, and indeed to every 
serviceman and servicewoman who has given the ultimate sacrifice to 
defend our great Nation. The name of Ryan Winslow will be proudly born 
by this sanctuary of hope and recovery.
  It is altogether fitting and proper that the U.S. House of 
Representatives take time to recognize and memorialize this most 
important occasion.

                          ____________________