Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, as Veterans Day approaches, I rise today to mourn the loss of Paul Baffico, a dear friend and pillar of our local veterans community. We met 30 years ago while working together at Sears. Over the years, I learned the full breadth of his story and the depth of his character. Paul served in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division, participating in 206 combat assaults. Like so many of his era, Paul was not welcomed home the way he deserved. It was an experience that informed his career and his volunteering throughout his life. Paul committed his life to serving our Nation's veterans. For more than 15 years, Paul volunteered as a docent at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. In 2012, he founded the Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation, engaging with and advocating on behalf of thousands of veterans and families. Paul was a big man and leaves an even bigger legacy, and his memory will forever be a blessing. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record an oral history Paul shared with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in 2013. [From Pritzker Military Museum and Library, Nov.…”