[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19229-19230]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 ANNOUNCING RECIPIENTS OF THE 2013 CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION 
                    FOR THE THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 16, 2013

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor 
fourteen distinguished military veterans, community servants, and 
American patriots who call the Third District of Texas home. All 
faithfully answered the call of duty and placed service above self for 
the sake of our great nation. Each one leaves a legacy to be 
remembered, for future generations to follow, a legacy of bravery, 
loyalty, dedication, and sacrifice. For their selfless service, bold 
leadership, and undying commitment for their neighbor and nation, the 
following individual has been selected as a recipient of the third 
annual Congressional Veteran Commendation:
  Keeshaun Coffey served with honor in the United States Navy from 2008 
to 2012. He began his military career by enlisting as a Religious 
Program Specialist. Selected for the Fleet Marine Force, he served at 
the Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, where he trained 
chaplain candidates and facilitated over 150 religious services and 
over 200 field services.
  Mr. Coffey's next assignment led him to Yokosuka, Japan, where he 
served with the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. In this position, he 
planned and implemented community service events which allowed the USS 
Cowpens to log 3,059 community service hours. Following his service 
with the USS Cowpens, Mr. Coffey remained in Japan where he was 
assigned to the Chapel of Hope and the United States Naval Hospital 
Yokosuka. He was stationed there when the 2011 tsunami and earthquake 
struck Japan. As his final act of military service, Mr. Coffey spent 
long hours creating general ledgers for Operation Tomodachi in order to 
maintain 100 percent accountability in the expenditure of government 
and donated funds.
  After Mr. Coffey's service to the military honorably ended, he 
enrolled in the University of Texas at Dallas to continue his 
education. On campus he has continued serving the community by co-
founding and serving as President of the Veterans of Dallas at UTD's 
student organization. In 2012, he played an active role in the creation 
and establishment of the UTD Veteran Services Center.
  Keeshaun Coffey, let me both thank and congratulate you on your 
exceptional service

[[Page 19230]]

to our country and community both past and present. It is my pleasure 
to award you the 2013 Congressional Veteran Commendation for the Third 
District of Texas.

                          ____________________