[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 50 (Thursday, March 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E594-E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, GREATER RIVERSIDE CHAMBERS OF 
   COMMERCE, MORENO VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AMERICAN RED CROSS, 
    SALVATION ARMY AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, MARCH CANTEEN, HARVEST 
                    CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AND OTHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
several organizations whose patriotism, dedication and contributions to 
the troops deploying out of March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, 
California are exceptional. As our troops have been preparing to deploy 
to the Middle East many local organizations have taken it upon 
themselves to provide an outpouring of support and assistance. The 
local organizations involved have been the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Moreno Valley Chamber of 
Commerce, American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Community Foundation, 
March Canteen and Harvest Christian Fellowship.
  March Air Reserve Base has a long history of honorable service to our 
country and once again it will hold a place in U.S. military history. 
The substantial airlift of 6,500 tons of cargo and the movement of 
26,400 Marines headed for overseas has been helped by public donations 
of food and $30,000. The volunteers have handed out fruit, potato 
chips, cookies and paperback books to each Marine passing through the 
Marine deployment terminal. The Marines were also given personal items 
in order to provide a measure of comfort during their stay in the 
Middle East.
  The groups and individuals involved in the volunteer effort expressed 
nothing but appreciation and admiration for the men and women

[[Page E595]]

who have answered their call to duty. Their organization, 
determination, and work on behalf of our military are an example for 
every citizen of the United States of America. Their own call to the 
duty of volunteerism represents compassion and caring through 
organization. As our soldiers carry out their mission in Iraq, those 
last acts of generosity, kindness, support and love will be remembered 
as our troop's face what may be the most difficult time in their lives.
  The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, 
Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, Salvation Army 
and Community Foundation, March Canteen, Harvest Christian Fellowship 
and others have shown their patriotism and I am proud of the work they 
have done for our troops. I am honored to have such dedicated community 
organizations in my congressional district as well as a military base 
that contributes to the national security of our country and the 
liberation of the Iraqi people.

                          ____________________