[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JOHN FALKENBURY AND HIS RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT AND COO OF THE 
                         USO OF NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2019

  Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John Falkenbury, 
the President and Chief Operating Officer for the United Service 
Organizations (USO) of North Carolina, on his decades of service to the 
State of North Carolina.
  John was appointed President and COO for the USO of North Carolina in 
March 2009. During his tenure, he was responsible for planning, 
organizing and directing the operations of the state headquarters, five 
USO fixed centers and a mobile center. More than that, he helped 
organize and marshal thousands of volunteers over the years to support 
hundreds of thousands of active-duty servicemembers, veterans and their 
families. John brought 25 years of corporate and military experience to 
the job, which allowed him to grow and advance the mission of USO.
  The USO centers across the state provide vital resources and support 
to our men and women in uniform and their families. These services 
include transition assistance, financial literacy, child educational 
programs, deployment and homecoming operations, military and civilian 
outreach programs, Fallen and Wounded Warrior escort services, and a 
focus on providing the entire community with support and assistance. 
Through his leadership, dedication and passion for service, John has 
been a champion in ensuring these programs are readily available for 
anyone who needs them.
  A resident of North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District and 
someone I've been lucky enough to call a friend for more than two 
decades, I can say from experience that John is a true pillar of the 
community above and beyond his USO and military service. John has 
served as President and CEO of Five Oaks Nursing Center in Concord, the 
Managing Partner of the Falkenbury Family LLC, and President of the 
Stephen D. Falkenbury Jr. Foundation in Charlotte. He also served as 
the WBT-AM radio station's on-air analyst and was a credentialed 
military consultant and frequent guest for News14 Carolina. I know I 
speak for everyone in the community when I say we are truly grateful 
for his unwavering service and cannot thank him enough. I would like to 
offer my sincerest appreciation and wish him a long and happy 
retirement.
  Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring President John 
Falkenbury and his service to our state

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