Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6267, which honors Gerald T. Donnellan. Mr. Donnellan served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war, rising to the rank of sergeant and receiving three Purple Hearts. After the war, his service to his country and community continued for his entire life. He served as commissioner of veterans affairs in Rockland County, New York, for 30 years and was responsible for starting a veterans' health clinic in the county. He leaves a legacy of other noteworthy accomplishments. He established a local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He helped create the Camp Shanks Museum, commemorating the military facility that served as the largest point of embarkation for soldiers headed for the front lines in North Africa and Europe during World War II. He also established the Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers Award to recognize the contribution of African-American veterans. He helped start the Memorial Day watchfires in 1987 as an alternative to a parade for Vietnam veterans, and he established the Rockland County Public Service Medal to honor those who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the global war on terror. Gerald T. Donnellan was a true patriot who committed his life to the United States for veterans and his local community. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”