Mourning the Loss of Al Labelle

Floor Speech

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Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Al Labelle, a distinguished advocate, trusted leader, and unwavering voice for veterans. I am grateful for his many years of service, his friendship, and his steadfast work for veterans, including through his work with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). His passing leaves a profound void, felt deeply throughout the veteran community. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friend as we honor a man whose service, spirit, and legacy will continue to guide our commitment to serving our Nation's veterans for years to come.

When it comes to making change on a national level, you need advocacy--and you need people like Al Labelle. For decades, Al stood as one of Wisconsin's most dedicated and effective champions for veterans, a man whose voice carried from the halls of Congress to the State Capitol in Madison, always in service of those who served.

Al's commitment to veterans was rooted in his own service. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves on December 3, 1965, immediately entering active duty aboard the USS Okinawa LPH-3, a helicopter carrier. After a year in the Atlantic Fleet, the Okinawa transferred to the Pacific Fleet, eventually arriving off the coast of Vietnam on April 25, 1967, as part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha. Over the next seven months, the ship conducted nine amphibious landing operations near the DMZ, flying Marines inland and returning them when operations concluded. During these missions, the Okinawa served as a combat medical hospital--wounded Marines on one side of the hangar deck, the fallen on the other. Al returned to San Diego in December 1967 and was discharged shortly thereafter, carrying with him the memories and sacrifices of those he served beside.

Those experiences shaped the rest of his life. In 1990, Al was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), later recognized as an Agent Orange presumptive condition. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) helped him file his claim, and out of gratitude--and a deepening sense of purpose--he joined the organization. From that moment forward, Al devoted himself to ensuring that every veteran received the care, benefits, and respect they earned.

Within DAV, Al wore many hats. He served as the Benefits Protection Team Leader (BPTL) for DAV Wisconsin and as Chairman of DAV's National Interim Legislation and Veterans Rights Committee, roles he held for more than nine years. At the time of his passing, he continued to serve as chair of this committee, guiding DAV's national legislative strategy with clarity, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Al brought a deep passion to every aspect of his service, from legislative advocacy to outreach and his commitment to finding new, innovative ways to connect DAV with a new generation of veterans. He believed wholeheartedly in the strength of the organization and in the importance of ensuring its mission remained relevant to those who would carry it forward.

His advocacy produced tangible, lasting change. One of his most significant accomplishments was helping reform how the VA receives its funding. Before his efforts, government shutdowns halted VA operations, leaving veterans without access to critical medical care. Al provided valuable insight which led to legislation which ensured that VA health benefits would be funded one year in advance, protecting veterans from political gridlock and safeguarding their access to essential health services.

His influence extended far beyond policy. Al met with congressmen, senators, governors, and community leaders, always with the same message: ``It's not enough to send them there. It's not enough to say thank you for your service. Veterans who are returning or have served need more than that.'' His advocacy was driven by the sacrifices he witnessed in Vietnam and by his unwavering belief that the Nation must honor those sacrifices through action, not symbolism. For nearly twenty years without missing a beat, Al was a welcomed face in my Washington DC office, always bringing a great spirit and devotion to his work on behalf of our veterans. I have no doubt that our community was a better place because of his presence. Beyond his achievements, Al was known for his kindness, humor, and love for the Boston Red Sox. He inspired others to serve, to speak up, and to lead with heart. Even as he approached his eighth decade, he remained driven by a simple mission: ``Let's make sure that veterans who have served get the health care and benefits they earned and are needed.''

Al Labelle dedicated his life to a purpose greater than himself-- ensuring that veterans were heard, respected, and cared for. His legacy is one of courage, compassion, and relentless advocacy, a legacy that will endure in every life he touched, every heavy heart he helped make a little lighter, and every victory he helped secure.

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