[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7968-S7969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DAY

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 145, S. Res. 
21.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A joint resolution (S.J. Res. 21) to designate September 
     29, 1999, as ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States 
     Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint 
resolution.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to express my sincere 
appreciation to my colleagues for joining me in honoring the more than 
two million veterans of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, of the 
United States as we pass legislation I introduced earlier this year, 
S.J. Res. 21, to designate September 29, 1999, as Veterans of Foreign 
Wars of the United States Day.
  September 29, 1999 marks the centennial of the VFW. As veterans of 
the Spanish American War and the Philippine Insurrection of 1899 and 
the China Relief Expedition of 1900 returned home, they drew together 
in order to preserve the ties of comradeship forged in service to their 
country.
  They began by forming local groups to secure rights and benefits for 
the service they rendered to our country. In Columbus, OH, veterans 
founded the American Veterans of Foreign Service. In Denver, Colorado, 
veterans started the Colorado Society of the Army of the Philippines. 
In 1901, the Philippine War Veterans organization was started by the 
Philippine Veterans in Altoona and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1913, 
these varied organizations with a common mission joined forces as the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. I am honored to salute 
this proud organization.
  Mr. President, when many of us think about war veterans, we think 
about the tremendous sacrifices these defenders of freedom made to 
safeguard the democracy we cherish, especially those who made the 
ultimate sacrifice. S.J. Res. 21 recognizes those contributions and 
sacrifices. It also recognizes the contributions that VFW members 
continue to make day-in and day-out in our communities--the youth 
activities and scholarships programs, the Special Olympics, homeless 
assistance initiatives, efforts to reach out to fellow veterans in 
need, and national leadership on issues of importance to veterans and 
all Americans. Over the last 100 years, members of the VFW have 
contributed greatly to our nation both in and out of uniform in ways 
too numerous to enumerate.
  I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who have served their 
country. With this legislation, we honor the men and women and their 
families who have served this country with courage, honor and 
distinction. They answered the call to duty when their country needed 
them, and this is but a small token of our appreciation.
  The centennial of the founding of the VFW will present all Americans 
with an opportunity to honor and pay tribute to the more than two 
million active members of the VFW and to all veterans, as well as to 
the ideals for which many made the ultimate sacrifice. I thank my 
colleagues for joining me in a strong show of support and an expression 
of thanks to the VFW and all veterans.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the joint 
resolution be read a third time and passed, the preamble be agreed to, 
the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any 
statements relating to this resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Joint Resolution (S.J. Res. 21) was read the third time and 
passed.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The joint resolution, with its preamble reads as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 21

       Whereas the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States 
     was founded on September 29, 1899;
       Whereas the 100th anniversary of the founding of the 
     Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will occur on 
     September 29, 1999;
       Whereas for the past 100 years, the Veterans of Foreign 
     Wars of the United States has made valuable contributions to 
     the well-being of veterans of the Armed Forces and to the 
     States and their communities, and has exhibited national 
     leadership on issues of

[[Page S7969]]

     importance to all veterans of the Armed Forces; and
       Whereas the centennial anniversary of the founding of the 
     Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States presents an 
     opportunity to recognize, honor, and pay tribute to the more 
     than 2,000,000 veterans of the Armed Forces represented by 
     that organization, and to all the individuals who have served 
     in the Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     September 29, 1999, is designated as ``Veterans of Foreign 
     Wars of the United States Day'', and the President of the 
     United States is authorized and requested to issue a 
     proclamation calling upon all Government agencies and the 
     people of the United States to observe the day with 
     appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

     

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