[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 118 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1854-E1855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
             INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2684) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent 
     agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Weygand-Crowley 
amendment. I want to especially thank my friend from Rhode Island for 
his tireless work in support of every American who has dedicated his or 
her life to our Armed Forces. This language should serve as an 
unequivocal statement of support by this Chamber for the brave men and 
women who wore their nation's uniform into battle.

[[Page E1855]]

  Mr. Chairman, every member of this body respects and deeply 
appreciates the contributions of our veterans. This institution is the 
home of many proud war veterans--liberal and conservative; Democrat and 
Republican.
  This issue is not one of partisanship but rather one of dignity.
  Veterans may appear like regular people--but they are not. They are 
an uncommon brand of hero. These people made the conscious decision to 
put their own life, their hopes, and their future on hold to stand up 
for the basic principles of their homeland: freedom, liberty, and a 
proud tradition of justice. They are the men and women of courage and 
integrity.
  I would like to share with my colleagues a story of one of these men 
of integrity--Mr. Eugene Mozer of Jackson Heights, in my district.
  He was a World War II veterans decorated with a Purple Heart after 
being wounded in battle. He was a patriot. Mr. Mozer personifies the 
thousands of veterans that live in each of our home communities.
  This past February, Mr. Mozer passed away. His wife, Faustina 
Gobrili, and their son attempted to acquire a Military Honor Guard for 
his burial service. They believed that an Honor Guard would be a 
fitting tribute to this man's life--a life he was prepared to sacrifice 
for this nation.
  After contacting the military and explaining the situation, Ms. 
Gobrili was informed by the military that they, incredulously, could 
not fulfill her family's request for a military Honor Guard.
  Or, Mr. Chairman, I call your attention to the countless other 
stories of families of deceased veterans contacting the military to 
request an Honor Guard only to receive a cassette tape of TAPS in the 
mail.
  These are gross indignities to the people who were willing to die for 
our freedom--for people they would never know, let alone meet.
  Mr. Mozer and his family and the thousands of other distinguished 
veterans and their families deserve a more apt tribute--a tribute that 
appropriately reflects the gratitude and indebtedness of this nation.
  A military Honor Guard at the funeral of a veterans serves as the 
final salute of a grateful nation. Let us not deny them this final call 
of respect. I urge you to support this amendment.

                          ____________________