[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        44TH ANNUAL LOYALTY DAY

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                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 2002

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
our 44th annual Loyalty Day, which is celebrated on May 1. On this day, 
let us reflect with pride on our great country and remember with 
gratitude the contributions of the many loyal and courageous Americans; 
such as fire fighters, law enforcement officers, community service 
leaders, and military personnel who have given so much of themselves 
both at home and around the world to preserve our freedom.
  Although we don't know the exact start of Loyalty Day, it did start 
in the 1930s as a counteractant of the May Day Communist exhibition. 
The Public Law 85-529 was signed by President Eisenhower in 1958 to 
officially commemorate this special day. Members of the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars thought that these ``disruptive forces of the communism'' 
needed to see that the loyalty of Americans could not be uprooted so 
easily. They decided that they would organize parades and ceremonies, 
with other patriotic organizations joining in. With an extensive 
letter-writing campaign, and the help of the speaker's bureaus the 
theme of loyalty of Americans began to mold into something. Plays and 
tours of our national shrines aided this. The motto is to instill the 
ideals of our founding fathers to ``remain loyal to America''. Indeed, 
it is a day; meant for making all of us in America feel proud of our 
country. The country to which we belong.
  Join me and the members of The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United 
States, George O. Breece Post 401 in recognition of Loyalty Day 2002.

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