The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IN RECOGNITION OF NORTH BAY STAND DOWN 2002” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1222 on July 9, 2002.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF NORTH BAY STAND DOWN 2002
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HON. MIKE THOMPSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, July 9, 2002
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of North Bay Stand Down 2002 as a vehicle for providing homeless and at-risk veterans in Napa, Solano and Yolo Counties with access to existing and planned programs.
Many of these veterans have never applied for the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. Through the user-friendly
``veterans helping veterans'' atmosphere of North Bay Stand Down 2002 they will be encouraged to transform the despair and immobility of homelessness into the momentum necessary to get in to recovery, to resolve legal issues, to seek employment, to access health services and benefits, to reconnect with the community and to get off the street.
It is estimated that veterans comprise nearly 30 percent of our homeless population nationwide. For them, life on the streets can be both dangerous and debilitating and often leads to feelings of hopelessness.
North Bay Stand Down 2002 will help veterans free themselves from this self-defeating cycle of despair and begin to repair their lives by breaking down the barriers that contribute to their isolation.
North Bay Stand Down 2002 has the support of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the California State Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Employment Development Department, local governments and veterans' and trade organizations and members of the community.
Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we acknowledge and honor today the men and women who organized North Bay Stand Down 2002 for their commitment to our veterans and to our country.
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