Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Vincent Scalise, the founder of the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center in Utica, New York. Sergeant Scalise has served our Nation in the Army National Guard for over 19 years and was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq with the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry. Sergeant Scalise has also responded to multiple natural disasters and homeland security missions, and was awarded the New York National Guard's Colonel Gouverneur Morris Citizen/Soldier Award. In 2008, Sergeant Scalise saw an opportunity in the vacant YMCA building in downtown Utica for a veterans outreach center to serve veterans and their families in times of need. His vision and hard work has created a safe and welcoming refuge for veterans and their families. Currently, the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center administers a Federal grant to aid veterans in danger of becoming homeless, and it has a food pantry onsite for veterans and their families, among a variety of other services. Work has begun to construct 18 onsite housing units, and the center has been awarded its fourth consecutive Federal veteran homeless prevention grant. I commend Sergeant Scalise for his dedicated service to our country, community, and fellow veterans, and I wish the center many more years of growth and success. ____________________”