[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5454]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MAYOR JOE AFFRONTI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2012

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Temple Terrace 
Mayor Joe Affronti. In addition to representing the City of Temple 
Terrace, Florida, Mr. Affronti has also been a strong advocate for 
Project Gratitude.
  Project Gratitude was founded in 2006 by David Lefavor, a retired 
military chaplain and has been championed by Mayor Affronti. Its 
mission was to provide military chaplains returning from deployments to 
Iraq and Afghanistan with a three-day complimentary visit to Tampa, 
Florida. During their stay, the chaplains and their families would 
visit area attractions including Busch Gardens, the Museum of Science 
and Industry, the Kennedy Space Center, and local restaurants.
  In addition to his loyal support of Project Gratitude, Mayor Affronti 
enjoys community support in this endeavor from individuals, businesses, 
and Veterans' Service Organizations including: American Legion Post 
152, Suncoast Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America 
(MOAA), Tampa Navy League, Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space Center, 
Lupton's Catering, Chamber of Commerce of Temple Terrace Florida, 
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Marriott Towne Place, Hilton 
Garden Inn--North Tampa, the Marine Corps League of Florida, as well as 
the Major Samuel Woodfill Chapter of the Association of the United 
States Army (AUSA) in Dayton, Ohio.
  Due to the drawdown of U.S. military forces from Iraq and 
Afghanistan, Project Gratitude's mission will conclude with its last 
reception on April 25th in Temple Terrace, Florida having provided a 
total of 75 Chaplains and their families with a 3-day ``R & R'' in 
appreciation for their service and sacrifice for God and Country.
  As Vice Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, it is 
truly my honor to recognize Mayor Affronti for his dedication to this 
program and the cause of improving the lives of those who so selflessly 
gave to our Nation.

                          ____________________