“I want to honor Ismael Quintana on his retirement. He served in the Army Reserve and has spent years helping local veterans get housing, food, and mental health support.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary veteran, public servant, and advocate, Ismael ``Izzy’’ Quintana, and to congratulate him on his well-earned retirement. After serving our Nation as a major in the United States Army Reserve, Izzy never stopped answering the call to serve. As the veteran outreach coordinator for BRIDGES PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program (Vet to Vet), he has dedicated himself to helping veterans in crisis, connecting them with critical resources and ensuring they never face their struggles alone. Drawing on his military and law enforcement experience, Izzy has trained police recruits to respond to veterans in crisis while helping veterans find housing, navigate difficult circumstances, and access support. His volunteer work with The American Legion, his church’s food pantry, and other local organizations embodies what it truly means to put service above self. This year Izzy received the New York State Suicide Prevention Center Pair-Up Award. I am proud to recognize him as one of New York’s 17th District Veterans of the Year. Mr. Speaker, his selfless service is an example to us all. I thank Izzy for his extraordinary service to our veterans, community, and country. I wish my friend the very best in his retirement.”