[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 149 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF CLARENCE KAILIN AND THE WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS OF THE ABRAHAM 
 LINCOLN BRIGADE ON THE DEDICATION OF THEIR MEMORIAL IN JAMES MADISON 
                        PARK, MADISON, WISCONSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 28, 1999

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Clarence Kailin of 
Madison, and the brave men and women who volunteered to serve in the 
Abraham Lincoln Brigade during the Spanish Civil War, especially those 
courageous volunteers from my home state of Wisconsin.
  They, along with 45,000 volunteers from over 50 different countries, 
fought side by side during the early struggle against fascism. Their 
foresight in recognizing the rising tyranny of fascism was a call to 
arms that went unheeded by the free world, and resulted in the long and 
bloody conflict that became World War II.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to express my gratitude to these men and women 
who helped to defend the democratic Spanish Republic from fascist 
aggression, at a time when the fate of democracy in Europe was being 
threatened by all sides of the political spectrum.
  On October 31st, in James Madison Park, in the state capitol of 
Wisconsin, a memorial will be dedicated to those sons and daughters of 
the ``Badger State'' that joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. A 
volunteer unit comprised of American citizens from all ethnic and 
religious backgrounds and walks of life, were all equal in their 
resolve to stem the tide of fascism. Our country's reluctance to aid 
the Spanish Republican government did not deter these brave people who 
understood what the consequences were if a legitimately elected 
government were to fall.
  Mr. Speaker, for the first time in our country's long history of 
isolationism, United State's citizens were reacting to threats to 
liberty and freedom on the international level more passionately than 
ever before. Mr. Kailin was one of those citizens, had it not been for 
him and other brave volunteers in the Lincoln Brigade, the tide of 
fascism would have swept over Europe unchecked. The corps of 
international volunteers who came together in Spain would be the same 
volunteers to comprise the victorious armies of the allied forces that 
triumphed over the fascists dictators Adolf Hitler and Benito 
Mussolini.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to honor these dedicated men 
and women in the same rightful fashion as my state. The strength of 
character of Clarence Kailin and others from Wisconsin who volunteered 
in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade are the qualities which we all can take 
pride in and celebrate in this Congress.

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