[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19922]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING BONNIE CARROLL ON RECEIVING THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF 
                                FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bonnie 
Carroll on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her life-
long public service and dedication to veterans and their families.
  Bonnie is the Founder and President of Tragedy Assistance Program for 
Survivors (TAPS). TAPS was founded in 1994 as the nation's first 
national support network for the families of fallen service members. 
Since then, TAPS has supported over 50,000 surviving family members, 
casualty officers, and caregivers. When President Obama said, of all of 
the November 24 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, that 
``these men and women have enriched our lives and helped define our 
shared experience as Americans,'' he was referring in part to the 
50,000 lives of surviving military family members that have been 
touched by Bonnie's work.
  TAPS has affected lives through a myriad of undertakings: a 24/7 
helpline for those grieving the loss of a loved one, peer-based and 
community-oriented emotional support, casework assistance, 
informational resources, and the annual Good Grief Camp for young 
people. All of this work is offered at no cost for survivors.
  In addition to her service at the helm for TAPS, Bonnie is a retired 
Major in the Air Force Reserve and currently serves on the Defense 
Health Board and the Board of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of 
America. She also co-chaired the Department of Defense Task Force on 
the Prevention of Suicide in the Armed Forces.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Bonnie 
Carroll for the work she has done on behalf of veterans and their 
families. Her record of service is truly deserving of the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom. Her work serves as a reminder of our sacred compact 
with those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation 
and their families.

                          ____________________