[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 30 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H810-H811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    AMERICA'S VETERANS ARE ENTITLED TO THEIR DAY OF CELEBRATION AND 
                              REMEMBRANCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of over 1.3 
million veterans in Pennsylvania and to express my strong opposition to 
legislation which I consider an affront to the heroic service to our 
Nation.
  As introduced, H.R. 62 would move Veterans' Day to election day in 
Presidential election years. The intended purpose of this legislation 
is to increase voter turnout by establishing election day as a national 
holiday in conjunction with Veterans' Day.
  Although I agree action needs to be taken to help convince our 
Nation's citizens to take a more active role in the political process, 
this particular solution troubles me. I believe we need to take 
necessary steps to increase voter awareness and participation, but 
depriving our veterans of the day set aside historically to honor their 
sacrifice is not the way to do it.
  By designating November 11 of each year as Veterans' Day, we give 
thanks and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and gave their lives 
to preserve the freedoms we know today.
  In 1918, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, the 
Treaty of Versailles was signed between the Allies and Central powers 
to end the fighting of World War I, the war to end all wars. In the 
years immediately following 1918, memorial gestures were made on that 
day worldwide. In 1926, Congress passed legislation to commemorate this 
date with, quote, ``thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to 
perpetuate peace through goodwill and mutual understanding between 
nations.''
  In 1938, Congress officially designated November 11 as Armistice Day. 
It was a day to honor the bravery of our veterans and celebrate the 
cause of world peace.
  In 1954, one of our greatest veterans, President Dwight Eisenhower, 
declared Armistice Day as Veterans' Day so that all Americans would, 
quote, ``solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so 
valiantly to preserve our heritage of freedom.''
  Mr. Speaker, I give this brief history of Veterans' Day because it 
serves as proof that November 11 was not randomly selected as a day on 
which to honor veterans. Moving Veterans' Day, even if it is only once 
every 4 years, does a great disservice to our veterans and the freedoms 
for which they fought so hard to secure and defend.
  Congress learned its lesson on moving Veterans' Day once already. In 
the 1970s, Congress moved Veterans' Day to the Monday closest to 
November 11 to allow for a 3-day holiday weekend. The movement of 
Veterans' Day was met with so much outrage that President Ford returned 
the observation of Veterans' Day to November 11.
  Mr. Speaker, I have heard from countless individuals in my district 
that are outraged that legislation is once again pending before 
Congress to move Veterans' Day. These citizens, veterans and 
nonveterans alike, do not understand why their government wants to 
diminish the opportunity of this Nation to remember the sacrifices of 
our veterans. Veterans and the families of those who have given the 
ultimate sacrifice certainly do not understand why Congress would even 
consider legislation that would lessen the tribute paid to our brave 
sons and daughters who have served in all branches of our armed 
services.
  In my opinion, we should not diminish the observance of Veterans' 
Day. On the contrary, we should be promoting the reason we mark this 
day. There are over 26 million veterans in this country, including 
nearly a half million who are permanently disabled. The Veterans 
Administration estimates that we are losing approximately 1,100 
veterans a day. It is extremely important that we not only remember 
their service but honor it as well.
  The best way to do that is to pass meaningful legislation which will 
improve benefits and ensure that every veteran has access to the best 
health care possible. It is imperative that we demonstrate our 
commitment to those who served us with dedication and valor.
  Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate that I stand ready and willing to work 
with my colleagues to find ways to get more of our citizens to the 
polls, not just in Presidential elections but in all elections.
  However, we must not attempt to solve the problem of voter apathy by 
showing disrespect to our fellow citizens who have gone into harm's way 
on behalf of our great Nation. Our veterans have fought courageously to 
secure and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. Without the efforts of 
our heroic veterans, our citizens would not have the right to vote.
  Our veterans have fought, and many have died, so we can live in a 
county with free and fair elections, a country where even in an 
election as close as the last Presidential contest, the winner is 
decided by the rule of law, and not with violence.
  Mr. Speaker, our veterans have fearlessly put their lives on the line 
for

[[Page H811]]

this country. This country can surely give them their own day of 
remembrance. Veterans' Day is and always should remain November 11. I 
for one pledge to do my utmost to preserve this day of recognition for 
our patriotic men and women of our armed services.

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