[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1117]]



               HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES ON MEMORIAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 1999

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember the 
millions of women and men who have given their lives to serve in our 
Nation's Armed Forces. Their courageous efforts have been honored at 
this time of year since the fighting of the Civil War. During the Civil 
War numerous families began their heartfelt commemorative efforts and 
since then the countless events which followed have generated an 
uncompromising level of respect and reverence for our beloved soldiers.
  Yet we must not forget the reasons for which our Armed Forces have 
fought for our Nation: to preserve and protect the blanket of freedom 
under which we have rested with security for over 200 years. Since the 
end of the Civil War so much has changed, and yet so much in our 
society remains the same. Those Soldiers fought to protect our 
inalienable rights as humans and have continued to do so from that day 
to this.
  Even today our men and women sacrifice their lives to protect our 
interests overseas. We must remember them in these times of conflict. 
Our sentiments go out not only to the soldiers who have fought in our 
conflicts of yesteryear. We must include today's Armed Forces in our 
thoughts and our prayers for they continue to struggle and rightfully 
defend our beliefs in life, liberty, and freedom in Europe and around 
the world.
  Entering into the 21st century we look forward to a time of peace in 
which our decisions to take direction are reserved for reflection. I 
remind you Mr. Speaker that we do not remember in joy, but in sorrow. 
We do not reflect with happiness, we reflect in pain. The millions of 
men and women dedicated their lives to fight so that we can look 
forward to a time in which we shall fight no more and we must never 
forget them.
  Since the first official commemoration of our soldiers of war on May 
30, 1868, as Decoration Day, our Country has devoted a continuous and 
conscious effort to support our troops and the battles they have 
fought. In 1971, to recognize the weight of their importance, Congress 
declared Memorial Day a National holiday.
  Mr. Speaker, to continue our recognition of our soldiers' tireless 
efforts, I am currently introducing a bill to grant the Korean Veterans 
Association a Federal Charter. Granting this Federal Charter is a small 
expression of appreciation that, we as a Nation, can offer to these men 
and women to show our continued support, one which will enable them to 
work as a unified front to ensure that the ``Forgotten War'' is 
forgotten no more.
  Please join with me in expressing full recognition and thanks to 
those who have served our Nation and its Armed Forces on this Memorial 
Day. The respect and debt of gratitude we owe these honorable men and 
women for preserving our Nation and our freedom is immeasurable.

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