[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H10374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           AMERICAN LEGION INCORPORATION TECHNICAL CORRECTION

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 1377) to amend the act incorporating the American 
Legion to make a technical correction.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1377

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     section 5 of the Act entitled ``An Act to Incorporate the 
     American Legion'', approved September 16, 1919 (41 Stat. 285; 
     36 U.S.C. 45) is amended by striking ``December 22, 1961'' 
     and inserting ``February 28, 1961''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida [Mr. McCollum] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Nadler] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum].


                             General Leave

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on S. 
1377, the Senate bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore Mr. Pease. Is there objection to the request 
of the gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1377. This is a very simple 
bill. The purpose of the bill is to expand the American Legion 
membership eligibility dates for Vietnam-era veterans. It merely 
changes the dates within the confines of the American Legion Charter.
  Under this bill, the commencement date of the Vietnam Conflict in the 
American Legion Charter will be defined as February 28, 1961, instead 
of the current date, which is December 22, 1961. February 28 is the 
date that United States Army advisers first accompanied South 
Vietnamese troops on patrols.
  This modification tracks strictly the dates which the Veterans 
Administration uses in awarding benefits to Vietnam veterans. I wish to 
emphasize that the bill even changes the American Legion Charter and 
has no effect on any benefits paid to Vietnam veterans or any other 
effect. This bill will have no cost.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
   Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] 
has adequately explained this bill. It is a very simple bill. It does 
something we certainly should do, to enable those American veterans who 
served in the Armed Forces after February 28, 1961, when the first 
American troops accompanied South Vietnamese troops on patrol, but 
prior to December 22, 1961, which is the current date in the current 
legislation in the incorporating charter of the American Legion, to 
enable them to join the American Legion. This does track the change 
Congress made for veterans' benefits. I hope that this bill is 
unanimously approved.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York [Mr. Gilman].
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of S. 
1377, the American Legion Membership Eligibility Act, which changes the 
date from which those persons may qualify for veterans' benefits 
through association with their service during the Vietnam war.
  At present, anyone in the service on or before December 22, 1961, 
qualifies. This bill modifies that date of eligibility to February 28, 
1961, and in so doing, codifies the Veterans Administration practice of 
using the earlier dates and expands the number of veterans eligible for 
various benefits and for membership in the American Legion.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this 
legislation, which provides eligibility assistance to our veterans who 
served in the Vietnam war and who seek recognition by the American 
Legion.
  I thank the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] for yielding me the 
time. I want to commend the gentleman for bringing this measure to the 
floor at this time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of S. 1377. I have 
introduced an identical bill, H.R. 2835, which expands the Vietnam-era 
eligibility dates for membership in the American Legion. It is very 
significant that the House is voting on this veterans bill on the eve 
of November 11th, Veterans Day. Hopefully this great Nation can 
remember its veterans throughout the year, not only in November. The 
American Legion, founded September 16, 1919, is a great service 
organization and is well deserving of our full support. I urge a 
favorable vote on this important legislation.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the Senate bill, S. 1377.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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