[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 86 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 1999

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, initially, the American Legion Auxiliary 
was organized by concerned women who took on the day-to-day 
responsibilities of life when U.S. soldiers were sent to Europe during 
World War I. Aware of the plight of fatherless families and the needs 
of returning veterans, these women vowed to continue their supportive 
role when the veterans of World War I founded the American Legion in 
1919.
  The first words of the Auxiliary preamble are ``For God and 
Country.'' Auxiliary members believe in the ideals and principles of 
America's founding fathers. They also pledge to foster patriotism, 
preserve and defend the Constitution, promote allegiance to God and 
Country, and uphold the basic principles of freedom of religion, 
freedom of expression and freedom of choice.
  The organization's programs were created to provide assistance, 
education and financial support for veterans and their families and to 
benefit the community because the Auxiliary focuses on helping to 
create a better society, particularly for the nation's citizens of the 
future, our children and young people. Through its nearly 12,000 units 
located in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary 
embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and 
peace.
  I would like to recognize five exceptional Auxiliary members from 
Florida who have over 270 years of combined service to our nation. 
These women are: Shirley Campbell with 52 years of service; Edna Davis 
with 52 years of service; Barbara Pfohl with 52 years of service; Anna 
Rottensterger with 52 years of service; and Bertha Wolfe with 63 years 
of service.
  These women have spent thousands of hours volunteering at the Bay 
Pines VA Medical Center. Their activities include holding monthly bingo 
and card parties; providing homemade cookies to veterans; delivering 
candy and books to veterans in the hospital; and manning the Medical 
Center's information desks. These Auxiliary members have also 
distributed flags to thousands of school children, collected food for 
the needy and raised funds for student scholarships.
  I want to commend each of these exceptional women and all of the 
members of the American Legion Auxiliary for their dedicated service to 
America's veterans and our nation.

                          ____________________