[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 23, 2001

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the United Service 
Organization for 60 years of service to be celebrated on May 19, 2001 
at the USO Military Ball.
  The USO, created in 1941 as a merger among six private organizations, 
began serving to handle the on-leave recreation needs for the members 
of the Armed Forces. By 1944, USOs were found in over 3,000 locations 
nationwide. Early on, the entertainment industry supported the USO in 
beginning the ``Camp Shows'' with the entertainers waiving pay and 
working conditions to bring live entertainment to the troops at US 
bases in America.
  After WWII, the USO also provided entertainment for service men and 
women internationally, opening up service in North Korea, Vietnam and 
Thailand. During the 1970s, outreach programs increased as did the 
number of military families worldwide. Since this time, the USO was 
signed into law as a United States Charter.
  Most recently, the USO has provided services in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, 
Bahrain, Somalia, Bosnia and Hungary. The USO's commitment to be a link 
to our service men and women continues world wide with the same 
determination and dedication which first created this organization. My 
dear colleagues, please join me in celebrating the 60th Anniversary of 
the United Service Organization.

                          ____________________