[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S14745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MR. BOBBY BOSS

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a great 
American institution and its leader. The American Legion Barrett-Davis-
Watson Post #233 is located in a small Georgia town called Loganville 
and it is commanded by a true patriot in every sense of the word--Mr. 
Bobby Boss. For over 50 years this man's leadership has allowed the 
post to continue offering community services that any American would be 
proud of.
  Post #233 held its first meeting on November 19, 1946 with the 
Legion's standard program of the day: patriotism, rehabilitation, 
community service, community welfare and membership. Less than ten 
years after its inception, the Post responded to the town of 
Loganville's need for a medical doctor by building a clinic. The Post 
later donated a truck and tractor to the city.
  Over the past 40 years, the Post has continued to make numerous 
donations to the community, including an annual $1,500 donation to the 
town's elementary school to help purchase shoes and clothes for the 
needy and a $12,000 donation for dropout prevention programs in all 
Walton County Schools.
  Tragedy struck the Post in 1977 when a fire all but destroyed the 
Post building, leaving nothing but ashes and concrete. At the first 
monthly meeting after the fire, a majority of the members present chose 
not to rebuild, but Commander Boss was not in that majority. Two weeks 
after that meeting, he took his own bulldozer and cleared the charred 
remains. His efforts resulted in the fine building the Post uses today.
  Once the Post was back on its feet, many of the programs that had 
fallen by the wayside due to rebuilding costs were reinstated. In the 
past 10 years alone, Post #233 has supported renovation projects for 
the city of Loganville and donated $8,000 towards the purchase of 
computers for the local high school; donated half the costs of building 
a baseball field complete with lights, restrooms and a concession 
stand. Post #233 has also contributed funds to help the local Sheriff's 
department purchase camera equipment for patrol cars. This Christmas 
season, members of Post #233 will prepare and deliver more than one 
thousand baskets for widows, the disabled and needy families.
  The good work of Post #233 represents all that is noble in our great 
nation. I applaud their community service and their patriotism. They 
are an asset to their community, the great state of Georgia and the 
United States of America.

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