[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12] [Senate] [Page 17034] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ TRIBUTE TO THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today I honor in the Record of the Senate the Silver Star Families of America, upon the completion of $1 million in donated volunteer hours and materials to remember and honor the wounded and ill of our armed forces. The Silver Star Families of America was founded on April 11, 2005, and received 501(c)3 status on December 5, 2005. The Silver Star Flag and Banner are symbols of remembrance and honor for the wounded soldiers and their families as well as anyone wishing to honor those wounded during combat while honorably serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The goal of the Silver Star Families of America is to recognize the blood sacrifice of our wounded and remember their efforts by honoring them with the Silver Star Banner. The Silver Star Families of America also advocates for the wounded and assists in educating their families and the public concerning their plight. I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with the Georgia representative of Silver Star Families of America, Trish Benefield of Rome, GA, on a number of occasions while she organized State and local events and hospital visits to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our Nation's freedom. Ms. Benefield, chief Steven J. Newton, founder of Silver Star Families, national president Janie Orman, and volunteers across the country have donated 47,912 hours valued by the Veterans Administration at $934,763. They have also donated over $40,000 in Silver Star Banner distribution and $30,000 in direct aid for items such as services to homeless and near-homeless veterans, care packages, and support of hospitalized veterans and other programs. This achievement is a noteworthy one, and I am proud to recognize this accomplishment today. ____________________