[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 9026]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         COOKS FROM THE VALLEY

 Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I want to commend the 
extraordinary work of Cooks from the Valley, a volunteer organization 
dedicated to supporting our Nation's servicemembers, veterans and their 
families.
  Cooks from the Valley was established in Bakersfield, CA, by local 
resident Tom Anton, to bring the taste of home cooking to military 
members stationed all over the world.
  What first began with one person in Bakersfield has grown to a 
diverse group of service-minded volunteers from coast to coast bound by 
one common goal: to say thank you to the men and women who serve in the 
U.S. Armed Forces.
  Our military members and their families have made tremendous 
sacrifices and they deserve nothing less than the full and enduring 
support of a grateful nation. As co-chair of the Senate Military Family 
Caucus, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone at Cooks 
from the Valley--Mr. Anton, the volunteers, and many community 
supporters for their steadfast support of our servicemembers, veterans, 
and their families.
  These dedicated Americans generously volunteer their time and 
resources to travel to all corners of the globe, providing our 
servicemembers with a taste of home that has boosted the spirits and 
filled the stomachs of those who put their lives on the line each and 
every day in service to our Nation. Cooks from the Valley's unique way 
of giving back to our military men and women should be an inspiration 
to us all.
  As Americans, we have an obligation to give back to those who give so 
much for us. For many years, Cooks from the Valley has worked to 
fulfill this responsibility and I know they will continue to make a 
difference in the lives of our military families for many years to 
come.

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