[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 65 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2630-H2632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      AMVETS NATIONAL CHARTER DAY

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 314) recognizing the 
members of AMVETS for their service to the Nation and supporting the 
goals of AMVETS National Charter Day.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 314

       Whereas on July 23, 1947, AMVETS (American Veterans of 
     World War II, Korea, and Vietnam) was chartered by the United 
     States as a not-for-profit corporation;
       Whereas membership in AMVETS is open to veterans who have 
     honorably served, or are serving, in the Armed Forces, 
     including the Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves, 
     during or since World War II;
       Whereas the veterans of the Armed Forces have made great 
     sacrifices to ensure the peace and security of the United 
     States;
       Whereas the members of AMVETS are dedicated to providing 
     important services to their local communities and to their 
     fellow veterans;
       Whereas the motto of AMVETS is ``We fought together, now 
     let's build together'';
       Whereas the members of AMVETS consistently honor that motto 
     through countless hours of patriotic service, including 
     providing services to hospitalized veterans, assisting 
     veterans with their problems regarding housing and 
     employment, marching in parades, participating in color 
     guards and burial details, and educating the Nation's youth;
       Whereas the war on terrorism has emphasized the sacrifices 
     that veterans have made, and continue to make, for the 
     benefit of the Nation;
       Whereas AMVETS has designated July 23 as AMVETS National 
     Charter Day; and
       Whereas the goal of AMVETS National Charter Day is to raise 
     public awareness regarding AMVETS's commitment and service to 
     veterans, the families of veterans, and the Nation: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress recognizes the members of AMVETS 
     (American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam) for 
     their service to the Nation and supports the goal of AMVETS 
     National Charter Day.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) each 
will control 20 minutes.

[[Page H2631]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci), the 
prime sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. GRUCCI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Throughout history, young men and women in uniform have fought to 
protect America's freedoms and liberties. They have served our Nation 
during war and peace and have consistently illustrated their dedication 
to the United States of America. Today, we look at these brave men and 
women as heroes and appreciate their past service as soldiers, sailors 
and airmen. However, the great service of these heroes has never 
stopped after their days in uniform. As veterans, these same men and 
women continue to serve their communities and their fellow veterans.
  On July 23, 1947, President Harry S. Truman chartered AMVETS, a 
veterans' organization that seeks to serve veterans and their 
communities.
  Today, with more than 1,300 posts throughout the country, AMVETS 
members help their fellow veterans in many ways, including helping 
veterans with housing and employment problems, providing services to 
hospitalized veterans, and assisting their fellow veterans in obtaining 
their entitlement benefits.
  From raising funds for VA facilities, to marching in local parades, 
members of AMVETS dedicate countless hours of service to America and to 
American vets. Their motto, ``We fought together. Now let's build 
together,'' could not be more appropriate when observing the American 
pride and dedication behind every member of AMVETS. The same heroes 
that saved the lives of fellow soldiers in battles ended long ago, now 
work to help their fellow veterans and those veterans that are sure to 
follow after the battles of today come to an end.
  One of my constituents, Ron Fox, is one such American that typifies 
the members of AMVETS. Mr. Fox, a former corporal in the Army during 
the Korean War, is a member of AMVETS Post 111 in Patchogue, New York. 
Mr. Fox volunteers at local hospitals, serves as the chaplain of his 
post, and proudly participated as a member of the colorguard. We owe 
him and his fellow members a great amount of gratitude for their 
commitment to our communities.
  H. Con. Res. 314 highlights the importance of AMVETS throughout 
America and supports the goals of a national charter day. July 23 will 
mark the 55th anniversary of AMVETS. The invaluable service provided by 
these American heroes for the last 55 years cannot be matched in 
appreciation or gratitude; but it is my hope that we will continue to 
honor AMVETS and its members for their services to this country beyond 
their years in uniform.
  As we continue to keep the soldiers pursuing the war on terrorism in 
our thoughts and our prayers, let us also remember the fathers and 
grandfathers of those soldiers who fought similar battles years ago 
that now serve our communities, help their fellow veterans, and 
advocate for those in the military today.
  I would like to thank Ron Fox and all the AMVETS members whose pride 
for America and continued service to our veterans serves as the 
inspiration for this resolution. I would also like to thank the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Smith) for helping to bring this legislation to the floor.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this resolution 
and supporting AMVETS and the goals of AMVETS National Charter Day.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 314. This 
measure recognizes the members of AMVETS for their service to our 
Nation, provides important support for AMVETS National Charter Day.
  AMVETS has designated July 23 as AMVETS National Charter Day to 
encourage greater public awareness of their commitment and service to 
veterans, the families of veterans, and the Nation as a whole.
  I commend and applaud the members of AMVETS for their past, present, 
and future service to our country. As a lifelong member of that 
organization, I strongly support this concurrent resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 314, legislation 
recognizing the members of the AMVETS for their service to the Nation, 
and supporting the goals of AMVETS National Charter Day. I want to 
especially recognize and thank the prime sponsor of the legislation, 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci), for his fine work on this 
legislation, and for his very strong support of the many veterans bills 
that we have moved in this Congress.
  From its origin in the middle of the World War II, Mr. Speaker, 
AMVETS has had a long and distinguished history of service to our 
Nation. They held their first national convention in Chicago in October 
of 1945; and just 2 years later, on July 23, 1947, President Harry 
Truman signed the AMVETS charter.
  Originally organized for World War II veterans, AMVETS had their 
charter amended in 1966 to include veterans who served honorably during 
the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War and, again, in 1984 to include 
those who served honorably during peacetime as well.
  From its humble origins, AMVETS has grown into a national 
organization with over 250,000 members, in addition to another 60,000 
members of their ladies' auxiliary. As chairman of the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs, I can attest to the important role that AMVETS plays 
in Washington in advocating stronger Federal policies for supporting 
veterans, their surviving spouses and dependents as well. Their 
legislative staff is among the finest, and they have played a key role 
in many important public policy debates. I know I can count on AMVETS 
for advice, counsel, and support as we continue developing national 
policies to benefit our veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize and commend their national 
commander, Joseph Lipowski. He should be proud of the success AMVETS 
has achieved and continues to achieve, not just in Washington but also 
in communities across America. In addition to providing benefits and 
services to their fellow veterans, they also play an important role in 
the civic life of their communities.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I urge strong support for passage of this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize with gratitude the contributions 
made to the work of our committee by Kathleen Greve. Kathleen has been 
a pinchhitter with our Democratic staff and has earned the respect and 
help of the Republicans as well. I am grateful for her assistance to 
the veterans of this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) for yielding me time and commend him as the 
distinguished chairman of our Committee on Veterans' Affairs; along 
with the ranking minority member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Evans); and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci) for their support 
for this very important measure.
  On July 23, 1947, AMVETS was officially chartered by our Nation as a 
not-for-profit corporation, and that organization has been open to 
veterans who have honorably served or are serving in the armed 
services, including Coast Guard, National Guard, and the Reserves 
during or since World War II.
  The members of AMVETS are committed to providing important services 
to their communities and to their fellow veterans. Their motto is: ``We 
fought together. Now let's build together.''
  The members of AMVETS have honored their motto through countless 
hours of patriotic service, including providing services to 
hospitalized veterans, assisting veterans with their

[[Page H2632]]

concerns regarding housing and employment, participating colorguards, 
burial details, and educating our Nation's youth about the sacrifices 
made to our veterans.

                              {time}  1530

  The events of the past year that coincide with our ongoing war on 
terrorism have underscored the important role played by our veterans in 
the defense of freedom. Many Americans now recognize veterans in a new 
light, one of greater respect than ever before. This resolution expands 
this improved view, declaring July 23 to be AMVETS National Charter 
Day. There is no finer tribute to our Nation's esteemed veterans' 
service organizations than by honoring them in this manner.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this timely and 
appropriate measure.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 314.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. GRUCCI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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