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Sen. Christopher S. Murphy

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Roger Geiger of Torrington, Connecticut. Mr. Geiger is a veteran and this year's recipient of the American Veterans Post 24 member of the year award.

After serving his nation in the armed services, Mr. Geiger continues to serve his community as a member of AMVETS Post 24. Mr. Geiger and his wife Diane founded and continue to run Post 24's Heroes on Wheels program. This program takes in donations of electric wheelchairs and scooters for the benefit of Connecticut veterans. Many of these wheelchairs and scooters are received out of working order and Mr. Geiger takes it upon himself to repair and refurbish this equipment that is essential to ensuring the mobility of many elderly or disabled veterans. Once the repairs are completed, Mr. Geiger and his fellow Post 24 members deliver the electric wheelchairs and scooters to veterans in need.

Mr. Geiger's tireless work has resulted in hundreds of veterans in Connecticut and neighboring states being provided with chairs that have returned to them their freedom of mobility. It is for this reason, in addition to his service as the chapter chaplain and his general dedication to the chapter, that Roger Geiger was awarded the Post 24 member of the year award in 2011.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that we can all agree Roger Geiger deserves recognition for his outstanding service, both to his nation and to his fellow veterans. His efforts to provide his fellow veterans with the tools they need to maintain their mobility and independence are undoubtedly worthy of recognition. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Roger Geiger for his service to our community of veterans.