[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 7826-7827] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING MR. ROBERT T. CIANELLI ______ HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER of maryland in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 11, 2010 Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the tireless service of Mr. Robert T. Cianelli as a volunteer driver for the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network and a dedicated supporter of America's military personnel. To salute his service, Mr. Cianelli was awarded the 2009 Congressional Volunteer Recognition Award by the Veterans Advisory Council for Maryland's 2nd District. Veterans of the United States Armed Forces have dedicated themselves to protecting the lives of every American. Their service to our Nation deserves the highest level of gratitude. It is important that we take the time to recognize the individuals who give of their time and talents to support veterans and ensure their comfort, care, and well- being. For the past 5 years, Mr. Cianelli has made sure patients at the Glen Burnie VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic are picked up for their appointment on time and safely returned to their home. To date, he has logged 1,300 driving hours and more than 20,000 miles. Mr. Cianelli's experience as a computer scientist has significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation network, providing a program to maintain driver statistics, automating vehicle expense reports and developing a route sheet to expedite driver pick-up times. Robert's colleagues say that it would be hard to find an individual that contributes more than he does to guarantee the success of the Disabled American Veterans Transportation program. In addition to his service at the Glen Burnie VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, Mr. Cianelli volunteers with Operation Welcome Home at BWI Airport, welcoming thousands of troops home and providing them with care packages to hold them over while they wait for connecting flights. Mr. Cianelli raised funds to get the program off the ground and continues to do so. As a member of the Baltimore Marine Corps League, Mr. Cianelli helped raise $27,000 for the ``Wounded Marine Program'' at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda and the Walter Reed Army Hospital. The program fed hundreds of meals to family members at the hospital during the height of the fighting in the Iraqi city of Fallujah when there were significant casualties arriving. It paid for Christmas baskets, lodging and taxi coupons for [[Page 7827]] families, as well as televisions and video games for wounded soldiers. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me today to honor Mr. Robert T. Cianelli. His compassion and dedication to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are an inspiration to us all, and are deserving of the utmost gratitude. It is with great pride that I congratulate Mr. Robert T. Cianelli on his exemplary service as an advocate and a volunteer for American servicemen and women everywhere. ____________________