[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12043-S12044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE VIETNAM 
                          VETERANS OF AMERICA

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar 476, S. Res. 207.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 207) commemorating the 20th 
     anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Veterans of 
     America.


[[Page S12044]]


  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I was proud to submit S. Res. 207 on 
April 2nd of this year, and I am very pleased to mark its adoption 
tonight.
  Tonight's action by the Senate is but one small step to redress the 
very reason why the founders of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) 
felt compelled to take action 20 years ago. In 1978, Vietnam Veterans 
were suffering under the wave of anti-Vietnam sentiment that had swept 
the nation. Little recognition was given to their sacrifices during the 
war. And in fact, there was even a great deal of official denial about 
the extent of the price that had been paid by these veterans, both 
physical and emotional. For instance, it would be years before Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder was a recognized condition for many veterans 
and before the Federal Government admitted that our use of Agent Orange 
had left a terrible legacy of continued suffering for our veterans. The 
founders of the VVA felt that they needed an organization to speak 
directly to those needs. The outpouring of enthusiasm from the veterans 
themselves demonstrated the depth of these feelings.
  I am also very proud that Chapter One was founded in my home town of 
Rutland, Vermont. Vermonters have maintained a prominent voice in the 
organization, and are active in defining its future direction.
  The VVA is not focused just on the three decades behind us. It 
continues to look to the large challenges ahead both for veterans as a 
group and Vietnam Veterans in particular. Just as the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial is a permanent reminder of the sacrifices of the past, the VVA 
will be a continual voice for pragmatism and commitment to the needs of 
the veteran.
  I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be 
agreed to, a motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and a 
statement of explanation appear in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 207) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 207

       Whereas the year 1998 marks the 20th anniversary of the 
     founding of the Vietnam Veterans of America;
       Whereas the history of the Vietnam Veterans of America 
     organization is a story of America's gradual recognition of 
     the tremendous sacrifices of its Vietnam-era veterans and 
     their families;
       Whereas the Vietnam Veterans of America is dedicated to 
     serving its membership through advocacy for its membership;
       Whereas the Vietnam Veterans of America provides public and 
     member awareness of critical issues affecting Vietnam-era 
     veterans and their families;
       Whereas the local grassroots efforts of Vietnam Veterans of 
     America chapters like Chapter One in Rutland, Vermont, which 
     was founded 18 years ago in April 1980, have greatly 
     contributed to the quality of lives of veterans in our 
     Nation's communities;
       Whereas the Vietnam Veterans of America promotes its 
     principles through volunteerism, professional advocacy, and 
     claims work; and
       Whereas the future of the Vietnam Veterans of America 
     relies not only on its past accomplishments, but on future 
     accomplishments of its membership that will ensure the 
     Vietnam Veterans of America remains a leader among veterans 
     advocacy organizations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates the 20th anniversary of the founding of 
     the Vietnam Veterans of America and commends it for its 
     advancement of veterans rights which set the standard for 
     other veterans organizations around the country;
       (2) asks all Americans to join in the celebration of the 
     20th birthday of the Vietnam Veterans of America and 20 years 
     of advocacy for Vietnam veterans; and
       (3) encourages the Vietnam Veterans of America to continue 
     into the next millennium to represent and promote the goals 
     of its organization in the veterans community and on Capitol 
     Hill, and to continue organizing to keep its national 
     membership of 51,000 members and 500 chapters strong.

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