[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 138 (Saturday, October 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS FOR WORLD WAR II VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2000

  Mr. LARSON. Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the World War II Veterans 
who will be receiving their High School Diplomas at the West Hartford 
Board of Education on the evening of November 8, 2000, more than 55 
years after they originally were supposed to have graduated.
  These men all left high school early in order to serve their country 
in the midst of World War II. They are graduating under the terms and 
conditions of a recently enacted Connecticut law that allows people who 
left high school to join the military to be given their official 
diplomas. As such they have now become certified high school graduates.
  These Veterans represent what Tom Brokaw has called ``America's 
Greatest Generation''. Raised in the Great Depression, some the 
children of immigrants, they endured hardship at home but rallied to 
the causes of patriotism and helped the United States defeat the threat 
posed by the Axis nations. Upon coming home from the war, they led 
productive and useful lives. They became skilled workers and 
businessmen who worked hard in raising their children and providing 
support to their communities, churches and synagogues. They served 
their country both in time of war, as well as peace, and we are all 
better off because of their sacrifices.
  Several of them will be joined by their wives, children and 
grandchildren and other family members and friends for this happy 
event. While more applications for diplomas are still being processed, 
the following people have already been certified as High School 
Graduates under the Connecticut program: Albert Lefkin, Herbert 
Anderson, Donald J. DesRoches, Robert Douglas Soule, Kenneth William 
Bassett, Anthony N. Cardillo, Otto D. Vincenzi, Joseph J. Viscounti, 
Edward H. Friedman, and John Robert Clutz.
  Others will be honored posthumously and I know that their families 
will also take delight and comfort over the recognition of their 
achievements. They are: Agostino Guzzo and William A. Zambrello.
  In closing Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend the appreciation of 
the American people to the fine men who contributed so greatly to the 
preservation of our freedoms. They deserve our praise and honor. Many 
of them have participated in the high school and college graduations of 
their children and grandchildren over the years. However, their own 
accomplishments are unique and I hope that these self-effacing men will 
allow themselves and their loved ones to rejoice in the celebration of 
their own lives. I would like to urge my colleagues in the House to 
join me in saluting and thanking the World War II Veterans and official 
high school graduates. The nation and community has learned and 
benefited much from you.

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