[Page H7891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING BARBARA KIM-HAGEMANN, NEW JERSEY VFW STATE COMMANDER

  (Mr. VAN DREW asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, on June 22, Barbara Kim-Hagemann became 
the first woman--the very first woman--to be installed as State 
commander for New Jersey's Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  Barbara is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait 
during Desert Shield and during Desert Storm.
  When she returned to America, she joined a VFW, and the VFW post was 
in Jackson, New Jersey. There, she became the first female post 
commander in Ocean County and then the first female district commander, 
where she served for two terms.
  Now, as VFW State commander, Barbara's project for this year focuses 
on veteran suicide prevention and mental health awareness, a subject 
that is so important and needs so much work. She also works on 
strengthening networks of support, communication, and care for veterans 
across New Jersey's communities.
  We are incredibly lucky to have Barbara. I thank her for her service 
abroad and the continued service she brings to our south Jersey 
community. Her State is proud of her, south Jersey is proud of her, and 
the United States of America is proud of her.

  May God bless Barbara Kim-Hagemann.

                          ____________________