[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY PATRIOT AWARD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to call attention to 
something that happened in my district last weekend. The Congressional 
Medal of Honor Society held their annual convention in Saratoga 
Springs, New York.
  I think those who may live west of the Mississippi may not 
understand, but the Saratoga battle was the turning point in the 
Revolution. It was when General John Burgoyne was defeated by Benedict 
Arnold, and that was the turning point of the Revolution. That is the 
reason that we actually stand here today in the greatest democracy in 
the history of the world and the longest standing democracy in the 
history of the world.
  At that convention, I was very proud to have been the chairman of the 
occasion and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society gave their 
Patriot Award to two great Americans, one by the name of Bob Dole, 
former Senator and our presidential candidate. And it was the first 
time they gave a dual award to two people, the same award, and that was 
to Elizabeth Dole who, as we all know, is the head of the American Red 
Cross.
  Mr. Speaker, it was a thrilling occasion to see those two wonderful 
people who have devoted their entire lives to their country in one way 
or another. I just wanted to call the attention of this body to the 
fact that that convention was held.
  During that same time, we were very proud to have the Army, Navy, 
Marine Corps and Air Force all represented with their stellar bands 
participating in a parade that day on Saturday. And all of the people 
that turned out were honoring some 100 still-living members who have 
received that highest award, that is the Congressional Medal of Honor 
Society Patriot Award. So I wanted to call that to the attention of the 
membership.

                          ____________________