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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING DELISA RUSSELL
______
HON. BILL FLORES
of texas
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 8, 2019
Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Delisa Russell
of Waco, Texas, former Executive Director of the Heart of Texas
Veterans One Stop.
The Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop opened in 2013 as a central
location where veterans and their families could access available
resources under one roof. The first of its kind in the nation, Veterans
One Stop is a comprehensive veteran service resource that offers mental
health counseling, legal services, assistance with veterans' benefits
and claims, and provides access to food, showers, laundry, and fitness
facilities.
Prior to coming to the One Stop in 2016, Delisa served others,
including veterans, through social work and counseling. Delisa
graduated from Baylor with a bachelor's degree in Political Science
with a minor in social work, and continued her education at Baylor with
two master's degrees in Sociology and Psychology. She focused her
career toward counseling those in need and leading organizations
dedicated to the care of the most vulnerable.
Delisa recently stepped down from her position at the One Stop to
pursue other opportunities to help the community. The impact of her
time as Executive Director cannot be overstated.
In her three years as Director, Delisa supervised the transition of
Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop to a larger location. This new
location was able to increase the amount of services the One Stop
provided, with new showers, laundry, and kitchen facilities, all
donated by the members of our Central Texas community. In 2017, the
Guardians for Heroes Foundation, which carries out the mission of the
late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, installed a gym at the One Stop for veterans
to maintain their physical and mental health.
Last year, the Veterans One Stop opened the Robert Carter Veteran
Transition home. This home is aimed at helping veterans with families
to create a stable environment during their adjustment from military to
civilian life. Veterans One Stop covers the cost of utilities at the
home, which was built and furnished with support from the community.
One Stop helps the families develop a plan for life after living in the
home.
Under Delisa's leadership, the Veterans One Stop has gone from
serving less than 2,000 veterans to over 24,000. Each week, the One
Stop serves meals to more than 200 veterans and last year's annual
Thanksgiving dinner was its largest, serving more than 800 people.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Delisa Russell for all of her
service to the veterans in the Central Texas community. I wish her the
best in her future endeavors and look forward to seeing the Veterans
One Stop's continued progress.
I have requested that a United States flag be flown over our Nation's
Capitol to recognize the accomplishments of Delisa Russell and the
Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop.
As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our
country, for our veterans, for our military men and women who protect
us, and for our first responders who keep us safe at home.
____________________