[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 73 (Monday, June 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        CONGRESSIONAL TRIP TO WORLD WAR II COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS

                                 ______


                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 1994

  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, on June 9, a Member from the 
other side of the aisle criticized the expenditure of taxpayer funds 
for the trip that Members took to help represent the United States in 
commemorating D-day and the Allied liberation invasions of Italy and 
France.
  I was proud to be a member of that congressional delegation and would 
like to comment on the trip.
  Mr. Speaker, it is probably natural and right that we question the 
worthiness of spending of personal or public funds on commemorative and 
symbolic events. For example, one can question whether the expenditure 
by a family of several thousand dollars on a wedding is worthwhile, or 
whether the family should spend those funds on what might be considered 
more tangible necessities of life. In public life, one might question 
the worthiness of the expenditure of several million dollars in 
taxpayer funds on events like the inauguration of a President, a state 
funeral for a fallen President, or something like the 50th anniversary 
of D-day and the Allied invasions of Italy and France.
  The reason that both individuals and nations sometimes spend 
significant amounts of money on selected commemorative and symbolic 
events is that these events enrich and add meaning to our lives, be it 
as individuals and families at a wedding or as individuals and citizens 
experiencing a national commemoration.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that most Americans believe that the 50th 
anniversary of D-day and the Allied invasions of Italy and France 
qualified as the kind of rare and very important event that adds 
significant character and meaning to each of our lives as Americans. 
While the President alone could have represented the United States at 
these ceremonies, I strongly believe that it was fitting and 
appropriate that Congress, as the elected representative body of each 
of the 50 States and each region of the Nation, send a delegation to 
join in representing our Nation. In short, I think that the 
congressional delegation added to the event's symbolism. And, while 
each member of the congressional delegation should speak for his or her 
self, I also suspect that the congressional delegation members who 
attended will bring back a renewed spirit and sense of national 
responsibility and purpose based on what they experienced at the 
ceremonies. In that sense, I believe that the congressional delegation 
attendance at the D-day events will, in some small way, enrich and add 
greater meaning to Congress and help make us better Representatives for 
our people.
  In conclusion, I believe that the recent World War II commemorative 
events in Europe were the equivalent to our Nation of a wedding or 
funeral to a family. It was fitting and right, and will ultimately be 
beneficial to us all, that our Nation sent an appropriate delegation of 
representatives.

                          ____________________