[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SERGEANT PATRICIA ORISINI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2016

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Patricia A. 
Orisini for her life of service to our country and her strong 
leadership of the Wounded Warrior Program. As the Program's first 
director, Sergeant Orisini took a new idea and transformed it into a 
life-changing opportunity for our nation's veterans.
  Sergeant Orisini joined the United States Marine Corps in 1975. After 
24 years of active duty and a combined three decades of service, she 
obtained the highest grade of an enlisted Marine--the rank of Master 
Gunnery Sergeant. She has represented our men and women in uniform 
through her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and with the 
American Legion. Re-called to active duty during Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, she built and managed a ``medical hold'' program designed to 
assist injured reservists.
  Sergeant Orisini's experience culminated with her outstanding 
guidance of the Wounded Warrior Program. After joining the Program only 
eight years ago, she retires having helped 182 wounded and disabled 
veterans become Wounded Warrior Fellows, over 100 of who have either 
returned to college or become full time employees with a Congressional 
office and other government agencies.
  Sergeant Orisini, who earned her bachelor's degree by studying in the 
evenings while on active duty, holds affiliations with the Foreign 
Joint Services NCO Association, Disabled American Veterans, Women 
Marines Association, Marine Corps League and the National Italian 
American Foundation. Through her hard work and visionary leadership, 
she is a model American and public servant.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing this special occasion as 
we celebrate the life and career of Sergeant Patricia A. Orisini and 
her faithful service to our country.

                          ____________________