Tammy Baldwin

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Mr. President, today I rise to honor the life of Al Labelle, a dedicated servicemember who held an unwavering lifelong commitment to the advancement of veterans' services. Wisconsin mourns his loss, and his service and legacy will be remembered for years to come. Mr. Labelle served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Okinawa (LPH-3) from 1965 to 1967. The USS Okinawa deployed to the Vietnam war zone in 1967, and during that deployment, Mr. Labelle participated in nine amphibious landing operations. Mr. Labelle was honorably discharged from Active service but continued his service in the Naval Reserves until 1972. After returning home, Mr. Labelle's commitment to serving others did not waver. While his career was diverse, his work remained rooted in his desire to connect with and serve others. From caring for patients as a respiratory therapist, to working as an assistant manager of warehouse operations and even owning a bowling alley, Mr. Labelle's professional life reflected his tireless work ethic. Throughout these endeavors, he remained a steadfast advocate for his fellow veterans. For more than 20 years, Mr. Labelle was a dedicated leader of the Disabled American Veterans DAV, at the local, State, and national levels. He joined the DAV in 2005, becoming a life member of Chapter 57 in Marshfield. He held numerous leadership positions, including benefits protection team leader and chairman of the national interim legislation committee. His advocacy often brought him to our Nation's Capital, where he fought to ensure that our country's veterans received the support and services they earned. His lifetime of advocacy for veterans was nationally recognized when he received the DAV Outstanding Performance in Advocacy Award for 7 consecutive years. Mr. Labelle's determination to fight for veterans was easy to see, and his impact will be felt by veterans and their families for years to come. I was fortunate to see Mr. Labelle's dedication firsthand through my work with him, and I know Wisconsin's veterans were fortunate to have a champion like him in their corner. Veterans in Wisconsin and across the country have benefited from Mr. Labelle's devoted advocacy, and I am grateful for his lifetime of service. His legacy will live on through the veterans and families he helped and the countless people he inspired throughout his life.