[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING MICHAEL TODD

   Mr. MACK. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Michael Todd, an Army Veteran and fellow Floridian who was 
recently selected by the Jewish War Veterans Organization to 
participate as a non-Jewish delegate on the Allied Veterans' Mission to 
Israel. Nominated by the Oskar Schindler Post of the Jewish War 
Veterans in Port Charlotte, Mr. Todd was West Coast Florida's only 
representative on the goodwill trip to Israel from April 5-April 13, 
1998.
  As a U.S. Army combat soldier, Mr. Todd was wounded four times and 
highly decorated for his valor and meritorious service during the 
Vietnam War. Since his return from Vietnam in 1974, Mr. Todd has 
volunteered on behalf of veterans throughout Florida and the nation. He 
founded and is the current President of both the National Veterans for 
America, and the South Gulf Coast Regional Veterans Council of Florida. 
Furthermore, Mr. Todd is an active member of various veterans 
organizations, ranging from the American Legion to the Vietnam Veterans 
of America.
  In addition, the Charlotte County, Florida Board of County 
Commissioners has issued a proclamation declaring April 21, 1998 as 
``Michael Todd Day.'' In the proclamation, the County Commissioners 
praised Mr. Todd's efforts to improve the lives of veterans of the 
armed forces and their family members.
  Mr. Todd's tireless volunteer service deserves the respect and 
admiration of Congress, the Country and Charlotte County. I am proud to 
offer my congratulations and look forward to hearing about his 
experiences while on his mission to Israel. I have no doubt he will 
continue to represent the Jewish War Veterans and the United States of 
America with honor.
  Mr. President, I ask that the text of Charlotte County's Proclamation 
designating today as ``Michael Todd Day'' be printed in the Record.
  The proclamation follows:

                              Proclamation

       Whereas, the national organization of the Jewish War 
     Veterans of the United States of America in Washington, D.C., 
     provides a program entitled the Annual Allied Veterans' 
     Mission to Israel, under which non-Jewish select veteran 
     leaders from throughout the United States are nominated by 
     local posts and state councils and selected as delegates to 
     visit Israel and learn about its history and people and to 
     act as ambassadors of good will for their state and local 
     communities; and
       Whereas, a highly decorated local U.S. Army combat Vietnam 
     veteran (wounded four times), Michael Todd, has brought honor 
     and recognition to himself, the State of Florida, Charlotte 
     County, and the City of Punta Gorda by being nominated by the 
     Oakar Schindler Post of the Jewish War Veterans in Port 
     Charlotte and its State Council and subsequently selected as 
     a delegate and an ambassador of good will representing the 
     State of Florida, Charlotte County, and the City of Punta 
     Gorda, to participate in the Jewish War Veterans' Annual 
     Allied Veterans' Mission to Israel from April 5 to April 13, 
     1998; and
       Whereas, the honor bestowed on Michael Todd provides 
     recognition to Mr. Todd for his tireless efforts as a 
     veterans' advocate and leader, and his devoted service to his 
     community as President of So. Gulf Coast Regional Veterans 
     Council of Florida, National President of Veterans for 
     America, President of Veterans Outreach and Assistance, as a 
     member of the American Legion 110, DAV 154, VFW 5690, and 
     Charlotte County Community Projects Council, as Vice 
     President of the Vietnam Veterans of America, as advisor on 
     veterans affairs for the State of Florida and legislative 
     liaison to the State of Florida and Washington, D.C., and as 
     a past representative for American Ligion Post 110 to the 
     executive board of the Charlotte County Veterans Council; 
     now, therefore, be it
       Proclaimed, That, in recognition of the time and effort 
     provided by Michael Todd to improve the community and the 
     lives of the veterans of the armed forces and their family 
     members, April 21, 1998, be declared Michael Todd Day in 
     Charlotte County.

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