[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING DAY OF HONOR FOR MINORITY WORLD WAR II VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2000

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to join my colleagues 
on the House floor today, but wanted to join them in showing my support 
for the resolution recognizing the Day of Honor 2000 Project, which 
gives long overdue recognition to the millions of invisible minority 
World War II veterans.
  During the Second World War these valiant soldiers were waging a war 
on two fronts. They fought gallantly beside their comrades in the most 
trying conditions, while battling the bigotry and racism that was still 
prevalent in the United States military. These same minority war 
veterans continued their fight against racism at home by forming the 
grassroots of the civil rights movement.
  In my State of Florida, we have the oldest veterans population in the 
nation. Unfortunately for these veterans and veterans all across the 
country, the VA budget continues to be underfunded, causing them to be 
denied the health care and services they need and deserve. As our aging 
veterans population declines, we will need programs like the Day of 
Honor 2000 to remind us of the sacrifices minorities made to protect 
the freedom that we all now enjoy.
  I look forward to the passage of this resolution and want to wish Dr. 
Smith and the other leaders of the Day of Honor 2000 Project the 
greatest success in portraying the honor and dignity displayed by our 
Minority World War II veterans. Their efforts and accomplishments have 
been ignored for far too long and I look forward to sharing their 
achievements with people today and for generations to come.

                          ____________________