[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE AMERICAN GI FORUM FEDERAL CHARTER ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 1998

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of myself and a 
number of my colleagues to introduce a bill to grant a federal charter 
to the American GI Forum (AGIF), a National Veterans Family 
Organization. I am proud to join an effort which is being advanced by 
the distinguished Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and his 
colleagues who have filed identical legislation, S. 1759.
  The American GI Forum was founded on March 26, 1948, in Corpus 
Christi, Texas by the late Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a medical doctor and 
Army veteran of World War II. This year, the AGIF celebrates its 50th 
year of service to our Nation's veterans and their families. Today, the 
AGIF has over 100,000 members in 500 chapters across 32 states and 
Puerto Rico. Though predominately Hispanic the AGIF is an inter-racial 
organization open to all veterans and their families.
  This is not the first time the AGIF has sought a federal charter. At 
least as early as the 1960's, in an era when Hispanic veterans were 
facing exclusion and discrimination, AGIF approached Congress for a 
federal charter. At that time, as now, the AGIF had the broad-based 
national and patriotic characteristics which would have entitled it to 
a federal charter. While numerous groups with similar stature as the 
AGIF were almost routinely given charters, the American GI Forum was 
effectively left out.
  As the American GI Forum enters its 50th year, we believe it is 
fitting to secure passage of this important legislation which would 
finally grant the American GI Forum a federal charter. A federal 
charter is an honorary recognition that does not convey any special 
rights or authority. However, within the veteran community, a federal 
charter is deemed to be recognition of a national veteran 
organization's commitment and service to our nation's veterans. Other 
entities sometimes distinguish between Veterans Service Organizations 
(VSOs) which are congressionally-chartered and those which are not. For 
example, the Department of Veterans Affairs publishes a directory of 
VSOs, in which it separately lists groups based upon whether or not 
they are chartered.
  The Hispanic community is among the most patriotic in America, 
historically ready to answer the call to service. Having earned the 
highest number of medals of honor per capita, Hispanic Americans have a 
distinguished record of valor and patriotism. There are over 1,000,000 
Hispanic veterans alive today. On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I 
urge you to join us in sponsoring this legislation to grant a federal 
charter to this deserving organization.

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