RECOGNIZING ROSS BRYANT

HON. DEAN HELLER

OF NEVADA

IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE

January 19, 2016

Mr. HELLER: Mr. President, today, I wish to recognize Ross Bryant, the director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Military and Veteran Services Center. It gives me great pleasure to recognize Mr. Bryant, who does so much for Nevada’s veterans, active military members, and their families pursuing academic degrees.

Mr. Bryant served in the United States Army for 24 years before beginning his career to help fellow veterans and active service members. He began working at UNLV 14 years ago, starting as commander of the UNLV Army ROTC program. He later took on the position of Deputy Director of the Institute for Security Studies before accepting his current role as director of the Military and Veteran Services Center. As director, Mr. Bryant works to help active military members and veterans experience a fluid transition from the battlefield to college life. He also developed numerous university and community outreach programs for UNLV to help active military and veteran students be successful in their academic pursuits.  Through his tireless efforts, Mr. Bryant has contributed greatly to UNLV’s achievement of being named a military friendly school by GI Jobs for five consecutive years, as well as making the Military Advanced Education’s list of top military-friendly colleges in 2015. UNLV now educates over 1,475 active duty military members, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and their families, in part due to the efforts of Mr. Bryant. I am grateful to have Mr. Bryant working on behalf of Nevada’s brave men and women.

Through collaborative efforts during the last legislative session, Mr. Bryant was a key contributor in attaining passage of legislation for UNLV to waive fees for active duty military members. The program also reinforces UNLV’s presence at Nellis Air Force base, where a classroom is available for active military members and their families to take courses. His efforts have brought southern Nevada’s military community the academic support that it deserves.

As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have had no greater honor than the opportunity to engage with the men and women who served in our nation's military. I recognize Congress has a responsibility not only to honor the brave individuals who serve our nation, but to ensure they are cared for when they return home. I remain committed to upholding this promise for our veterans and service members in Nevada and throughout the nation. I am grateful to have allies like Mr. Bryant working towards a common goal: fighting to ensure the needs of our veterans and active military members are met.

Today, I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in recognizing Mr. Bryant for all that he does for UNLV’s military community.