[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REGARDING H. CON. RES. 60

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I am particularly pleased to introduce H. 
Con. Res. 60 telling the United States Postal Service that the Congress 
believes it should issue a series of commemorative postage stamps 
honoring veterans service organizations across the Nation.
  As we are aware, this year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the 
United States will observe the 100th Anniversary of its founding. This 
important occasion represents the perfect opportunity to recognize the 
service of America's veterans, but the Postal Service has turned a deaf 
ear to numerous requests from veterans organizations, Members of 
Congress, and the American public to issue even a single stamp this 
year for this noble purpose.
  There are numerous organizations that deserve commendation, including 
the American Legion, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans of America, Disabled 
American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, 
Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Polish League of American Veterans 
of which I am proud to be one. And, these organizations would be 
specifically honored with the V.F.W. The Postal Service should be doing 
all it can to make this happen. Veterans have fought for our liberties, 
they should not have to fight for appropriate recognition.
  From the time of the Founding Fathers, American service personnel 
have sacrificed dearly to defend our country and its ideals. But their 
service is not confined to the battleground. Over time, veterans 
organizations have ably represented the interests of veterans in the 
Congress and State Legislatures across the Nation. They have 
established networks of trained volunteer service officers who have 
helped millions of veterans and their families secure the education, 
disability compensation, pension, and health care benefits they are 
entitled to receive as a result of their military service. Moreover, 
veterans service organizations have been deeply involved in countless 
local community service projects and have been constant reminders of 
the American values of duty, honor, and national service.
  With more than 25 million veterans serving as living reminders of the 
greatness of our Nation, it is only fitting and proper that their 
dedicated and professional service in times of war and peace be 
celebrated in the unique and lasting manner by which the Postal Service 
has honored past heroes. The Postal Service has seen fit in recent 
years to memorialize flowers, dinosaurs, dolls, movie monsters, 
household pets, and even cartoons, but it has been intransigent 
regarding our veterans. This ought not be so.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues--and the list of 
cosponsors indicates this is a serious matter on both sides of the 
aisle--to establish this momentous issuance.

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