[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      A TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN LEGION POST 91 FOR 75 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 1996

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, as a lifetime member of the American Legion 
myself, it is with great pride that I commemorate the Frederick L. 
Clark American Legion Post 91 of Mechanicville, NY, in my congressional 
district. And it is with great humility that I stand here today and try 
and do justice to all the tremendous service and good this post has 
done for veterans and their families, as well as the entire community 
over the past 75 years.
  This past year, I had the tremendous good fortune of addressing both 
the New York State and the National American Legion Convention where I 
was awarded with the American Legion's Distinguished Public Service 
Award. Mr. Speaker, it occurred to me that among all the things I've 
done in this Congress, I literally cherish above all else the time I've 
spent working alongside the American Legion. Together we've achieved so 
much on behalf of flag and country.
  But Mr. Speaker, those achievements are what makes the men and women 
of American Legion posts like No. 91 in Mechanicville the true heroes. 
Not only have they served their country in uniform, but they have 
served America and their fellow veterans as members of the Legion. A 
group that is always in the forefront of efforts to develop and 
maintain adequate veterans benefits and programs.
  And as if that wasn't enough, there are the tremendous programs and 
activities the members of post 91 run on behalf of their community. I'm 
talking about things like scholarships and teams they sponsor for the 
youth in Mechanicville as well as community wide events.
  Because of efforts like these, their promotion of pride, patriotism 
and good citizenship goes unparalleled. And that's why I can't wait to 
renew the fight for a constitutional amendment to protect Old Glory 
alongside my fellow Legionnaires from post 91 in Mechanicville, NY.
  Mr. Speaker, protecting our flag, watching out for fellow veterans 
and ensuring a strong national defense may seem like a large and 
daunting agenda to some. But that's not half of what post 91 in 
Mechanicville has done. It's hard to even imagine all they have 
accomplished over the course of 75 years of service. But I know there's 
no limit to what they can accomplish. That's because this post is made 
up of patriotic Americans who have served their country and earned the 
right to call themselves veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and proud 
members of the American Legion.
  At this time, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all Members join me in 
paying tribute to all the members of Mechanicville Legion Post 91 for 
their tireless and selfless devotion to America and their community.

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