[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 105 (Thursday, July 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1470-E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMEMORATING ``HEARTS AND STARS''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize James M. 
McNeely's recent bronze sculpture ``Hearts and Stars'' that depicts the 
anguish, pain, honor and heroism displayed by young men and women while 
engaged in war.
  Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, James M. McNeely, was drafted 
into the United States Army in May of 1969. He served as an infantryman 
with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, American Division, in I Corps, 
CCU Law, Vietnam. Serving courageously, McNeely

[[Page E1471]]

rose to the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Purple Heart and 3 
Army Commendation Medals. After being discharged, he joined the Ramsey 
County Sheriffs Department in June of 1972. He has worked in Detention, 
patrol division and is currently working in the court security unit.
  Jim McNeely is a self taught artist and member of the Vietnam 
Veterans Art Group. In the past, Jim's sculptures have recaptured the 
experiences of war and its effects upon humanity. In 1985, the 3rd 
Infantry Division at Fort Snelling, Minnesota commissioned McNeely to 
sculpt a bronze battle memorial of the Mexican American War to 
commemorate its bicentennial birthday. Currently, this celebrated 
bronze sculpture is on display at the Fort Snelling Museum in St. Paul, 
Minnesota.
  His latest work, ``Hearts and Stars'' reminds us all that we must 
remember the suffering and agony endured by young men and women while 
engaged in war. The sculpture is a bronze sculpture of a soldier 
carrying another soldier on his back. The figures stand astride a creek 
bed with the silhouette of North and South Vietnam. A branch lays 
across the creek symbolizing the split between the North and South. On 
the front of the oak pedestal is a 10 inch bronze medallion of a bamboo 
grove and dragon with the words inscribed ``Republic of South Vietnam 
1965-1975.'' The stone is polished and crafted from rough cut 
limestone. After being on display at the St. Paul City Hall/Ramsey 
County Courthouse the sculpture is going to the National Vietnam 
Veterans Art Museum in Chicago on August 11th. Vice President Albert 
Gore and seven United States Senators who served in the Armed Forces 
during the Vietnam War will be attending the event. This ceremony will 
open McNeely's work and bring to life the experience and memories of 
Vietnam that might educate and guide the understanding of our history 
and the American experience. ``Hearts and Stars'' is a honorable and 
captivating tribute to those young men and women who have courageously 
served in the Armed Forces.

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