Honoring Sentinels of Freedom and commending the dedication, commitment, and extraordinary work of the organization.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 461) honoring Sentinels of Freedom and commending the dedication, commitment, and extraordinary work of the organization.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in full support of House Resolution 461 to honor the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation.

Sentinels of Freedom is an organization that provides support and opportunities to selected veterans with injuries sustaining 60 percent or higher levels of disability in all branches of our military post-9/ 11. They provide significant support in assisting our veterans to readjust back to civilian life and prosper in their hometowns or new communities.

Each of the past recipients of the Sentinels of Freedom scholarship has an inspiring story of recovery. Many of them have lived through injuries which they were not expected to survive and further endured many surgeries and months of recovery. For example, Army veteran Jake Brown accepted the first Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship in 2004. Crushed by a tank while serving in Germany, he was in a coma for 10 days and was not expected to live, but now he is back in his hometown and he is thriving.

Jake returned to his hometown of San Ramon, California, with his wife and currently works for UPS, where he has earned two promotions. He is also on the dean's list at Diablo Valley College. He has dreams of ultimately attending UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Despite having life-altering physical handicaps, veterans like Jake Brown are grateful to be alive and continue to prosper in their communities.

As Mike Conklin, chairman and CEO of Sentinels of Freedom, describes, the program is not a charity but rather an investment in the life of a person who has served our Nation and has earned the right to achieve his or her part of the American Dream.

As our veterans return home from war, it is fitting to have House Resolution 461 before us today. I am grateful to have the Sentinels of Freedom and other organizations that assist our wounded veterans and shed light and let them achieve their dreams.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Resolution 461.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, urge my colleagues to unanimously support this resolution.

I want to thank Mr. McNerney from California for the inspiring story of Jake and for bringing this piece of legislation to the floor--again, absolutely appropriate the week before Veterans Day.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back all remaining time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 461, a resolution honoring the Sentinels of Freedom, which passed this afternoon by a unanimous vote when I was coming here this afternoon on the airplane.

Our Nation's veterans made tremendous sacrifices in defending our great Nation, and they deserve the best treatment upon returning home. Whether it is through education, employment, or health care, no veteran should fall through the cracks.

The Sentinels of Freedom, an organization based in San Ramon and Danville, California, provides opportunities to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and has demonstrated a commitment to America's heroes that we should all emulate. The Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation awards 4-year scholarships to severely injured veterans who began their service on or after September 11, 2001.

The program provides veterans with community support and mentoring, help with job placement, financial assistance for rent or mortgages, and continuing educational opportunities. The Sentinels of Freedom has helped dozens of veterans in States across the country, including California, Texas, Colorado, and Wisconsin.

Many military personnel fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are returning home with serious injuries that hamper their transition from military to civilian life. It's critical that we have programs in place that will help these veterans receive a quality education, secure a job, stay in their home, and lead a fulfilling life. I have seen firsthand the exceptional work and dedication of the Sentinels of Freedom and the way this organization helps to improve the lives of veterans. This group is a true leader in the community and deserves our highest respect.

I want to thank my colleagues for helping me to recognize and honor the outstanding work the Sentinels of Freedom have performed on behalf of our Nation's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H. Res. 461, a resolution honoring the Sentinels of Freedom and commending the dedication, commitment, and extraordinary work of the organization.

The bills we have passed this year will make enormous strides in helping our Nation's veterans improve their lives.

However, the Federal Government cannot do this job alone. It is through the work of organizations like the Sentinels of Freedom that our injured veterans can get back on the road to self-sufficiency.

Started by the father of three Army Rangers after one of his sons was wounded in Iraq in 2003, this 2- to 4-year life scholarship program is meant to assist veterans with severe service-related injuries who have the aptitude, attitude, and drive to become independent and successful members of society. The scholarship recipients are called ``sentinels'' in honor of their sacrifice and commitment to guarding America's freedoms. Over 32 servicemembers have joined the Sentinels of Freedom program. These sentinels are flourishing because of the help and assistance they have received from volunteers in their communities.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague and fellow committee member Mr. McNerney of California for introducing this legislation to honor the work and dedication of the Sentinels of Freedom, as well as to thank the many volunteers working with this organization all across the country to help our injured servicemembers move back into society.

I would also like to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for moving the bill so quickly to the floor for consideration.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 461.

Mr. Speaker, having no further speakers, again, I urge the passage of this very important resolution; and I yield back the balance of my time.

General Leave