Spanberger Honors Blue Water Navy Veteran & Advocate as “Central Virginian of the Week”

**Click Here for Video of Spanberger’s Remarks and Click Here and Here for a Photo**

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger honored Chesterfield veteran Henry Mack on the U.S. House Floor for his courageous service in the U.S. Navy, and his decades of work on veterans’ issues here at home. The speech was the fourth in her “Central Virginian of the Week” series, which Spanberger uses to recognize and celebrate constituents who embody the 7th District’s values of excellence, kindness, courage, and service.

Henry Mack served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, completing five combat tours overseas. Upon completing his education at Virginia Union University, Mack settled in Chesterfield County and began to witness the challenges that many of his fellow veterans encountered returning home and adjusting to civilian life.

Concerned with the prevalence of veteran unemployment and homelessness, and disturbed by the severe delays many veterans experience when trying to access earned pensions and benefits, Mack was inspired to act. In 1998, he founded the nonprofit Veterans Helping Veterans Now, an organization that has since assisted over 4,000 Americans in Virginia and across the country. Mr. Mack and his team help former servicemembers navigate employment opportunities, secure their VA benefits, and access resources like mental healthcare services.

Click here to watch Spanberger’s full speech.

Read the full text of Spanberger’s remarks below:

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute, and to revise and extend my remarks.

I rise today to honor Henry Mack, a Blue Water Navy veteran and our “Central Virginian of the Week.”

Mr. Mack served in the U.S. Navy and completed five combat tours in Vietnam.

After attending Virginia Union University and settling in Chesterfield County, he witnessed the difficulties facing fellow veterans as they returned home. Unemployment and homelessness were prevalent, and former servicemembers faced extreme delays when trying to access their earned pensions and benefits.

He decided to take action, and in 1998 Mr. Mack founded the nonprofit Veterans Helping Veterans Now.

By intervening early and walking alongside veterans through each step of an often-tedious process, Mr. Mack’s organization helps our neighbors gain employment, secure their benefits, and overcome challenges like PTSD and addiction.

Today, Veterans Helping Veterans Now has assisted more than 4,000 Americans in Virginia and across the country.

I thank Mr. Mack for his selfless service, both in uniform and as an advocate for his fellow veterans.

I yield back.

BACKGROUND

Mack was inspired to create the nonprofit Veterans Helping Veterans Now after witnessing the many challenges that face veterans as they return home. Building on a strong belief in the power of collective experience, Mack and his team work to connect veterans to relevant resources and provide personalized support.

Veterans Helping Veterans Now helps recent servicemembers find employment, navigate the complex system of pensions and benefits, overcome mental health challenges like PTSD, and build a sense of community with fellow veterans. In addition to running a recovery group and veterans center, the organization plans to open a daycare center. The center will serve both military and nonmilitary families, to strengthen community ties and lessen feelings of isolation among families with deployed parents.

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