[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          FREEDOM SHRINE FOR THE HOT SPRINGS VA MEDICAL CENTER

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, an exciting event recently took place in 
the southern Black Hills of South Dakota. The Freedom Shrine, a 
collection of documents from U.S. history, was dedicated at the Hot 
Springs VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, SD.
  I commend Maurice Wintersteen, the Exchange Club of Rapid City, and 
Hot Springs VA Director Dan Marsh, for their efforts to bring the 
Freedom Shrine to Hot Springs. Late last year, Maurice Wintersteen 
approached the Exchange Club of Rapid City about sponsoring a freedom 
shrine in the local VA Hospital. The Exchange Club of Rapid City agreed 
to his request, and Director Marsh threw his full support behind the 
project.
  As a result of their dedicated efforts, the Freedom Shrine became a 
reality and was placed in the rotunda of the VA Domiciliary Building. 
The Freedom Shrine displays reproductions of 28 historic American 
documents, including the U.S. Constitution, President Lincoln's 
Gettysburg Address, and President Kennedy's Inaugural Address. It is my 
understanding the Hot Springs VA Hospital is the only VA facility in 
the Nation to have such a freedom shrine.
  It is very fitting that the Freedom Shrine was dedicated on the 50th 
anniversary of the death of President Franklin Roosevelt--the man who 
led a worldwide alliance against a tyranny that threatened freedom-
living people throughout the world. The Freedom Shrine serves as an 
essential reminder to all Americans that the freedom we enjoy today is 
the direct result of the enormous effort and sacrifice of our 
forefathers, from the pioneers who first settled the Nation, to the 
veterans who gave their lives to defend it and the values we stand for. 
We must never forget the precious gift they gave us. It is ours to 
preserve for future generations.
  Inspired by the Freedom Train that toured the United States with 
American historical documents after the Second World War, the National 
Exchange Club resolved to display documents from U.S. history in 
communities throughout the Nation so that Americans of all ages would 
have easy access to the rich heritage of their past. Since 1949, many 
freedom shrines have been installed by exchange clubs in various 
communities across the Nation, Puerto Rico, and at American outposts 
around the world. From State capitols to U.S. warships, and hundreds of 
schools across the Nation, freedom shrines serve as an invaluable 
reference for students and other citizens seeking information or 
inspiration from these historic treasures.
  Again, I congratulate the Exchange Club of Rapid City, Maurice 
Wintersteen, Hot Springs VA Director Dan Marsh, and all our veterans 
for their ongoing commitment to the preservation of American 
principles. Their deep pride in the history, traditions, and values of 
our great State and Nation are reflected in the Freedom Shrine. Most 
important, they have given present and future generations of South 
Dakotans a precious and lasting gift. I salute everyone involved with 
this inspiring project.


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