[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H3251-H3256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING PAST AND CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED
STATES AND ENCOURAGING AMERICANS TO WEAR RED POPPIES ON MEMORIAL DAY
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 424) honoring past and current
members of the Armed Forces of the United States and encouraging
Americans to wear red poppies on Memorial Day.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 424
Whereas the red poppy was the first living plant that
sprouted in the battlefields devastated by fighting during
World War I;
Whereas red poppies grew abundantly in the trenches and
craters of the war-torn battlefields in Northern France and
Belgium;
Whereas during World War I, the bloom of red poppies each
year and the coming of the warm weather brought hope to those
still fighting in the trenches of France and Belgium;
Whereas in 1915, the red poppy inspired Canadian Colonel
John McCrae to write the poem ``In Flanders Fields'' in
remembrance of the thousands of soldiers who perished during
the three battles of Ypres in Belgium;
Whereas in 1918, John McCrae's poem inspired Moina Belle
Michael of Athens, Georgia, to write her own poem entitled
``We Shall Keep the Faith'', in which she promised to wear a
red poppy to memorialize American soldiers killed in World
War I, and later to raise millions of dollars to support and
employ disabled American veterans of all wars;
Whereas on November 11, 1921, the first Poppy Day was held
in the United Kingdom and was a national success;
Whereas the red poppy is a symbol of sacrifice throughout
the world;
Whereas the red poppy has been worn in the United States
for more than 80 years as a way to remember those individuals
who died fighting for freedom and democracy around the world
and to raise money to help disabled veterans; and
Whereas in 2004, wearing a red poppy on Memorial Day is
especially timely considering the sacrifices United States
soldiers are making in Iraq and Afghanistan for freedom,
democracy, and security: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress honors past and current members of
the Armed Forces of the United States and their families by
encouraging every American to wear a red poppy on Memorial
Day as a sign of admiration and thanks to those individuals
who died to preserve freedom and democracy in the United
States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Schrock) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock).
General Leave
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H. Con. Res. 424, the concurrent resolution currently under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Shadegg).
Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time, and I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 424.
Mr. Speaker, many of those watching today's proceedings may notice
that many of us here on the floor are wearing the red poppy. It is, in
fact, a symbol of Memorial Day and an acknowledgment of the sacrifice
made by armed services personnel in fighting for our freedom throughout
the world.
Next weekend, our Nation will celebrate Memorial Day. All too often
we forget the purposes of those celebrations, but Memorial Day is a
very important day set aside to honor and acknowledge the sacrifice of
all of those who have served our Nation and died in their service to
our Nation. It is a day, as we will hear during this debate, with a
long and important history.
It is a day which began as Decoration Day, following the deaths
during the Civil War of so many soldiers, a day, as we will hear in
this debate, civilians went to the fields to decorate the graves of
soldiers who had died in battle and decorated the graves of all
soldiers, both Confederate and Union.
Mr. Speaker, it is most fitting that this year, in this resolution,
we would call upon the American people to make a special point of
wearing a red poppy and of acknowledging the ultimate sacrifice made by
our troops. Because this year, on Memorial Day, we will have troops in
the field in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and throughout the world, who
are serving our Nation and who themselves have been joined by soldiers
who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
This resolution acknowledges the importance of the red poppy, which
has been adopted by the American Legion and by the Auxiliary of the
American Legion as the official flower honoring the sacrifice of those
who have died in our Nation's service.
{time} 1245
It seems to me, as Members will hear in this debate, there was a time
in our Nation when all Americans on Memorial Day wore a red poppy to
acknowledge sacrifices made by our Armed Forces personnel. It has now
become a worldwide tradition.
I commend the gentleman for offering the resolution, and I encourage
my colleagues to join in this debate, and I thank them for wearing the
red poppy today.
Some 535 red poppies were donated to Congress, and every Member of
the House and Senate has a red poppy to wear today and on Memorial Day
in recognition of this grand tradition and in recognition of the
sacrifice paid by our soldiers, including those who have lost their
lives in the recent battles in Afghanistan and Iraq, one of those
soldiers being Pat Tillman from my State whose life was tragically lost
within the last month.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this resolution.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 424, introduced by the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg). This timely resolution honors the men and
women who serve in uniform and calls on all Americans to recognize the
sacrifices of those who have given their lives to protect our freedom
by wearing a red poppy on Memorial Day, May 30.
In 2 weeks, our Nation will observe Memorial Day. Sadly, the true
meaning of Memorial Day seems to have faded over the years, and for
many young Americans, Memorial Day is often seen as just another
holiday or the beginning of summer. This is sad and unfortunate as
Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who have died in
service, defending our Nation.
The resolution before us honors those who have given their lives in
service to their country and encourages Americans to wear a red poppy
on Memorial Day.
A number of people have asked, ``Why wear a red poppy?'' The red
poppy grew abundantly in the battlefields of World War I, and it was
the inspiration for several poems at the time, including such notable
poems as ``Flanders Fields,'' written by John McCrae in May, 1915, and
a poem by Moina Michael, entitled ``We Shall Keep the Faith,'' written
in November, 1918.
The first Poppy Day was held in England on November 11, 1921, and
since that time, the red poppy has been a
[[Page H3252]]
symbol of sacrifice. For over 80 years, the red poppy has been worn to
honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to
raise money to help our disabled veterans.
A poem attributed to Don Crawford entitled, ``Why Wear a Poppy''
captures the significance of this special flower, and I would like to
read the poem for the Record.
Why Wear a Poppy
``Please wear a poppy,'' the lady said
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care,
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun,
``Lady,'' said he ``May I have one?''
When she pinned it on he turned to say,
``Why do we wear a poppy, today?''
The lady smiled in her wistful way,
And answered ``This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men and women who died in war,
And because they did, you and I are free,
That's why we wear a poppy, you see.
I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
And became a man--as you will too.
He was fine and strong with a boyish smile,
But he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day.
When he smiled at me and said `Good-bye,
I'll soon be back, Mom, so please don't cry.'
But the war went on and he had to stay,
All I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night.)
With the tanks and guns and the cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.
Till at last, the war was won,
And that's why we wear a poppy, son.''
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, ``Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight.
But your son, did he come back all right?''
A tear rolled down each faded cheek,
She shook her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you'd have done the same,
For our thanks in giving, is oft delayed,
Though our freedom was bought, and thousands paid,
And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave their very all
And asked to answer their country's call,
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy. Remember--and give!''
Mr. Speaker, this Memorial Day each hometown across America will
pause to remember the heroes of this generation as well as those of the
past. Let us honor and pay tribute to the over 900 American service
members who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with
all those who die in service to their Nation.
On Guam, we have lost three young men in Iraq: Specialist Christopher
Wesley, Lieutenant Michael Vega, and Sergeant Eddie Chen. One officer,
two enlisted men. Wesley, Vega and Chen, these three, are a microcosm
of the American people, one Western name, one Hispanic name, and one
Asian name.
In these troubled times, it is worth reflecting on Memorial Day who
we are as a Nation and what values we stand for. We are a Nation of
immigrants whose parents and grandparents have come to these shores
seeking individual liberty, prosperity and human dignity. The Nation we
call our own is a Nation of compassion and justice. It is a Nation
worth dying for. It is a Nation of opportunity and freedom.
We on Guam know what freedom is all about because we also know what
occupation is. We celebrate Liberation Day on Guam every year as the
day of deliverance of enemy occupation and the return of freedom after
32 months of enemy subjugation. We know what it means to thank Marines,
soldiers, airmen and sailors for their sacrifices because it was not
all that long ago that we were an occupied land.
Tomorrow, I will be accompanying former Congressman General Ben Blaz,
the veterans of the 5th Field Service Depot of the United States Marine
Corps to Arlington National Cemetery. We will lay a wreath at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier to express our deep appreciation to all those
who serve and have served our Nation in uniform. We thank them, honor
them, and will never forget them.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank the gentleman from Arizona
(Mr. Shadegg) for introducing this resolution. I want to thank my very
good friend of nearly 3 decades, the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms.
Bordallo), for that wonderful poem. I know the sacrifices the folks on
Guam made. I was privileged to serve in Guam during my Navy career, and
I know what a great place that is and what a wonderful woman the
gentlewoman is.
Mr. Speaker, as our Nation struggles to answer threats to our
security in this global war on terror, it is appropriate that we both
remember and seek inspiration from the sacrifices of the generations
that have gone before in defending our freedoms, our way of life and
the ideals on which our Nation is founded. Their sacrifices changed the
world in which we live and made possible the freedoms we enjoy in
today's world. Ours is a continuation of their struggle.
The red poppy is a symbol that even on the tortured soil of a war-
torn battlefield, our soldiers can be reminded that despite the death
and violence which surrounds them, the world for which they are
fighting is vibrant and future beautiful. This remains an important
symbol for every American, both in and out of uniform, who may feel
overwhelmed by the death and violence of today's world.
It is important that we stop and consider the sacrifices of our men
and women in uniform. Their service is an honorable one, and our Nation
owes them a debt we can never fully repay. That our Nation takes a day
to contemplate and remember their sacrifice is an appropriate tribute
to their efforts.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Israel), but first thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Schrock) for his very kind words.
Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, and we
should wear poppies to honor the sacrifices of our troops, but we
should express our support not only on our lapels, but in our budgets.
It is somewhat ironic to me that we would consider this bill, as
important as it is, only a few moments after we had a rule on this
floor on our defense budget, a rule that excluded an amendment that the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) and I advanced that would
pay for our troops' life insurance.
I have lost four constituents from my district in Afghanistan and
Iraq: Raheen Tyson Heighter, Michael Esposito, Jacob Fletcher, and Nate
Bruckenthal.
Raheen Tyson Heighter was 19 years old when he joined the Army. And
when he was told that he needed life insurance, this young man, being a
fearless young man, chose the least expensive life insurance policy
because the premium was all that he could afford, and the policy was
all that he believed he needed because he believed he would be coming
back home.
He did not come back home alive; he was killed on July 24, 2003. His
casualty officer called his mother and said, Your son's life insurance
policy was $10,000.
Mr. Speaker, $10,000 is not adequate. And what is even worse is while
Mr. Heighter was taking bullets in Iraq, Uncle Sam was taking 80 cents
a month from his gross monthly pay of $1,987, including hazard duty
pay, for his life insurance.
Mr. Speaker, I know that we all agree, when we send troops into
combat to protect our national security, they should not have to worry
about their family's financial security in the event they do not
return.
I know that all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree
that we have an obligation to honor those who have made the eternal
sacrifice every single day, that we must display our commitment and our
reverence to them, display it; but also pay for what we owe them as
well, not simply display, but pay to help their families.
That would be the true mark of how we honor our heroes, the men and
women who have made such heroic sacrifices, with poppies, but also with
dollars.
I, of course, will support and proudly vote for this bill, but I hope
that my
[[Page H3253]]
colleagues in this Congress and that the President of the United States
will understand that it is more than just poppies and it is more than
just words, it is budgets that count ultimately.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Wicker) to refocus our attention on what this bill is
really about.
Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, I can remember as a young boy, going to
downtown Pontotoc, Mississippi, with my parents on Memorial Day to hand
out poppies.
I thought Members might be interested in a little history lesson
about the origin of Memorial Day which began as Decoration Day. The
facts, as I have come to understand them, are that in 1866 a group of
Columbus, Mississippi, women met to decide on a way to honor the
Confederate war dead in the local Friendship Cemetery.
Once the ladies arrived at the cemetery, one of the women began
placing flowers on the graves of Union soldiers, too, because they also
had given their lives for their beliefs.
{time} 1300
Other women followed suit and soon all of the graves, Confederate and
Union, had flowers. This generous gesture was told and retold and
finally made its way to the New York Tribune where the short article
was seen by a young attorney named Francis Miles Finch. He was so moved
by the generosity of the Southern ladies and their Decoration Day that
he wrote the poem ``The Blue and the Gray'' and it was published in the
Atlantic Monthly in September of 1867.
Mr. Speaker, other towns may claim Decoration Day or Memorial Day
perhaps earlier than the one in Columbus, but Columbus, Mississippi,
was the first to honor former enemies. Here is what the Library of
Congress said:
``Columbus, Mississippi, thus can rightly claim to be not only one
day ahead of Columbus, Georgia, in its observance of Memorial Day but
more generous in its distribution of the tributes of honor and
mourning.''
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent Columbus, Mississippi, in the
Congress, the place where Memorial Day first began.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Spratt).
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I humbly suggest that if we want to make the
poppy in our lapels more than a mere gesture, we should vote ``no'' on
the previous question on the rule that will make in order the defense
authorization bill. Because by voting ``no,'' we will make in order the
consideration of an amendment that I have offered which contains two
key elements that go to the very heart of what it is we are discussing
here right now.
We would take a little bit of money out of a huge increase in
ballistic missile defense and put it in a place where it will do a lot
of good, namely, in targeted pay increases to our enlisted personnel,
particularly our NCOs and our junior warrant officers. It costs $300
million. It is not something I pulled out of the air. It was
recommended 3 years ago by the last quadrennial review. For 2 fiscal
years we have done it; this year we have not in the bill before us. We
can rectify that by voting ``no'' and then voting for the amendment.
In addition, we do something else in the amendment that I would
offer, that is, we say to every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine
going into combat, into harm's way, Uncle Sam is going to see to it
that you get the maximum in servicemen's life insurance, group life
insurance, $250,000. The premium will be paid by an increase in your
imminent danger pay, two things that will say volumes to our soldiers
about how much we appreciate what they are doing for today, the risks
they are taking; two things that we can say that will make more than
just this mere gesture a sincere commitment to those who have gone in
harm's way and laid their life on the line to make this the home of the
free and the land of the brave.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, we really have had time to debate what the
last gentleman has discussed. It is too bad we are saddening the debate
on this for that kind of discussion. There was certainly plenty of time
for that.
Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), one of the strongest
advocates of the military that I have ever known.
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the
gentleman from Virginia and the gentlewoman from Guam, and I want to
thank my friend from Arizona for bringing this resolution to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, it is important, whether we agree or disagree on whether
our troops should be in Iraq or not, the fact is they are there. They
have families that live in my district, the home of Camp Lejeune,
Cherry Point, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; and I think that probably
this year as much as ever if not even more than ever that on Memorial
Day we the American people wear the red poppy to show our appreciation
and our allegiance to the men and women in uniform and those who have
given their sons and their daughters to die for freedom.
I brought with me today on the floor for my couple of minutes the
faces of the real. To my left, Mr. Speaker, is a young man whose name
is Tyler Jordan. Tyler's father was a gunny sergeant, Phillip Jordan,
who was killed last year in Iraq. I bring this to the floor, Mr.
Speaker, because this photograph speaks much better than I could ever
speak. It shows a young man who is looking at the casket of his father.
It is showing a young man who has a folded flag under his arm. These
are the faces of the families who have given loved ones from the
beginning of this great Nation through and including today.
The other poster, Mr. Speaker, I have outside of my office, 12 of
these posters that say ``May We Never Forget.'' The reason for that is
why we are here today speaking on behalf of this resolution. The red
poppy is a reminder of past wars, of past gifts, of a husband, a wife,
a son, or a daughter. This Nation does owe those who have worn the
uniform and their families. We should never forget those who wore the
uniform for this Nation. We should never forget those who gave their
lives.
It so happens that this past Saturday night in my home district, a
Reservist, Rodney Murray who died in Iraq 2 weeks ago, I went to visit
and I had the chance to speak to the wife, a 24-year-old lady, whose
husband, 28, died in Iraq 2 weeks ago. I said, Amanda, on behalf of the
United States House of Representatives, I extend to you my deepest
sympathy and my gratitude on behalf of my colleagues. Mr. Speaker,
tears came to my eyes. I could not even complete the statement.
I close today by saying to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle,
please support this resolution, as we will do, and let us not forget as
we begin to debate the needs of our retired military and those who have
served and their families. God bless America and God bless our men and
women in uniform.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to go on record to thank the
gentleman from North Carolina. I pass those posters every day on my way
to my office. I think it is a wonderful tribute that he is paying to
the men and women in service who have lost their lives.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Skelton), ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me
this time, and let me compliment my friend and colleague from Arizona
for offering this resolution.
It was November 11, 1941. My father, another Ike Skelton, was the
best known orator in Lafayette County, and he was invited to speak to
the Odessa, Missouri, High School assembly on Armistice Day. By
prearrangement with my teacher, he took me out of grade school and we
drove to Odessa. I sat in the back of the Odessa student body while I
watched the program. The students put on a skit in Army uniform with
the leggings and the drill sergeant hat and bass drums simulating
artillery, and then my father spoke.
Being a Navy veteran of the First World War, he spoke as a veteran.
He said to that student body audience, November 11, 1941, that there
are those in this audience that may well have to fight for our freedoms
once again. How prophetic he was, because not long thereafter, less
than a month, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and Adolf
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Hitler the following day declared war on our country. Two of the young
men graduating from that high school class of May 1942 gave their lives
in Germany on the battlefield.
In the closing part of my father's speech to those students that day,
he recited the poem that came out of the Great War written by a Major
John McCrae:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
Our torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we pass this resolution and that
we pay honor to those in uniform of yesteryear and that we express
appreciation and gratitude for those who defend the freedoms of our
country today.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Renzi).
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I was privileged to grow up the son of Major
General Gene Renzi out of Fort Huachuca, Arizona. I grew up in a home
where our house was filled with veterans and troops who came back with
great life stories of the sacrifices and the contributions that they
made to our Nation.
And so it is a great honor for me to stand before you and pay tribute
today to those who have given their full measure, who have contributed
so much to our society and who have allowed me to breathe free and to
stand in the halls of Congress and to try and serve and give a little
back.
I am privileged to serve on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs where
it is our obligation to hold and to care for the surviving families,
the wives, the spouses, the husbands and the kids who have seen their
moms and dads go off and who may have lost their loved ones in defense
of our Nation.
We are at a time of patriotism in our country, a real crossroads
where our resolve is being tested, with the rise of patriotism and the
showing of American flags. The wearing of the poppy flower symbolizes a
remembrance of past days where we loved our Nation. That time is
welcomed.
Each year I have the great honor to walk in parades all around rural
Arizona, small towns like Payson, Arizona. I love to stand behind and
walk behind our veterans and our troops. It is so moving each year to
see the moms and dads along the parade route rise up out of their lawn
chairs and show great respect and deference to our flag by removing
their hats, putting their hands over their hearts, and calling out to
those veterans the great job, the love that they have for them. Again
we breathe free because of the sacrifice our veterans have made.
On this Memorial Day, I ask that we raise the flag, that we wear the
poppy, and I give thanks and ask God's grace for our troops and our
veterans.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the distinguished
gentlewoman from Guam for her leadership and also her eloquence. I have
heard her often speak of the military personnel in her area, not only
speak for them, but advocate for them; and I thank her for her
leadership in this issue and many other issues. I thank the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg) for his leadership as well, bringing us
together on this day, because I believe it is important to announce to
the world that there is not one moment of divide amongst us as it
relates to the honor and commemoration of those who honor us by giving
the ultimate sacrifice, but also taking the oath to serve in the United
States military.
Might I say to you that I come with a heavy heart, for I pay tribute
today to a young private by the name of Sotelo. I visited with his
family as they learned the tragic news just last year of this young,
almost 21-year-old in my congressional district who lost his life on
the front lines of Iraq.
{time} 1315
His mother cried, his father cried, his family members cried, not
because they did not recognize his willingness to give the ultimate
sacrifice but because not only was it his sacrifice, but as the family
looked into the future of his future, they knew that this bright light
would be extinguished forever.
We funeralized him at his beloved high school, Reagan High School,
the wishes of his parents, on a very hot, very hot and solemn day in
June; and then we looked to honor him on this coming Memorial Day. But
also we honored him as his mother was able to spend Mother's Day
together with other mothers, the Gold Star Mothers, who lost young
people in this terrible thing called war.
I was in Flanders Field, in the burial place of thousands of those
from World War I, the graveyards near that area. And I simply want to
say that death is a horrible experience for those families left
longing, but it is for those brave souls who are willing to give their
lives that we must stand together and fight for what is right.
This is a day of honor, and I hope on Memorial Day we will honor them
by wearing poppies. But I do believe it is important to bring honor
today.
I would have hoped that we would have had a bipartisan rule. I think
we must also respect the living by keeping veterans' hospitals open and
access to health care available, and by providing for the Spratt
amendment to provide $414 million to be able to give an increase in
salary. And, yes, I think it is important, even on this day as we raise
this wonderful resolution up, to give honor to those who are in the
armed services.
We must recognize that accountability is important. As our line
officers today are being prosecuted, this does not taint the entire
military, for we respect them, but it does say that we hold those
responsible at the top, for they are responsible too.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for
yielding me this time.
What a fantastic way to recognize the veterans of all of our wars,
but of course this, as we know, the wearing of the poppy, it all
started after World War I, and it is talked about in the resolution.
But it was a physician from Canada, Dr. John McCrae, who had a friend
who was killed in Belgium and was buried at Flanders Fields, and Dr.
McCrae himself, later on, in that war to end all wars, died of
pneumonia on the battlefield and never made it back to his practice in
Canada. But before he died, of course, he wrote that great poem that we
will know today ``In Flanders Field,'' and the last stanza of that poem
I think went something like:
``To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be it yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.''
And what Dr. McCrae was saying to us and to future generations and to
all generations was, never forget, no matter what battle it was,
whether it was the Civil War or Operation Iraqi Freedom today, these
young men and women are dying for a cause; and whether one agrees with
them or not, they had no choice.
In many cases, they were conscripted. Today, we have an all-volunteer
military, but they are there defending our freedom, and many of them
are paying the ultimate sacrifice.
So that is what this poppy says. And for me to have a little
opportunity today just before Memorial Day to talk about this and to
support H. Con. Res. 424, I am very proud to do that. What a wonderful
way to honor our men and women in the military.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Shays).
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
I want to recognize two Fourth Congressional District members of our
military, Wilfredo Perez, Jr., from Norwalk, Connecticut; and Tyanna
Avery Felder from Bridgeport, Connecticut; both lost their lives in
Iraq fighting for freedom and fighting for justice and fighting for the
United States of America on behalf of a better world.
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We have lost 773 in Iraq. We have lost 122 men and women in
Afghanistan. And I think it is just absolutely essential we recognize
all who have lost their lives by wearing this red poppy on Memorial Day
and asking all Americans do that. I thank the sponsors of this
legislation for advocating that kind of recognition.
I close by saluting one community, in the 4th Congressional District,
Greenwich, Connecticut. In Old Greenwich the community rings a bell for
every American who has lost his or her life fighting for America, and
that goes back before the Revolutionary War.
We are a great Nation, with an extraordinary history. We must never
forget those who served in battle and came home draped in an American
flag.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Garrett).
Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
this resolution as we honor both the past and current members of the
armed services, and also their families, as we encourage every member
of the American public to wear the red poppy on Memorial Day.
To many people, especially the Nation's thousands of combat veterans
on this day, history that goes back all the way to the Civil War, it is
an important reminder of all those who died in service to their Nation,
the brave, the proud, the strong who gave their lives so that so many
of us today can have the freedoms that we have.
And it is proper that we honor this today in light of all those men
and women who find themselves in harm's way as we speak, risking their
lives over in the Middle East. And it is proper also that this House
does all that we can do as we continue to work on this side to provide
services for our veterans, services of better health care, enhanced
housing access, job opportunities, and benefits for their loved ones at
home.
So I encourage all Members and the constituency back in the district
in the great State of New Jersey to wear a poppy on this day, and also
to honor those men and women by going to the cemeteries, visiting
memorials, and also by participating in the National Moment of
Remembrance at 3 p.m. to pause and think on the true meaning of this
day.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of my colleagues who spoke in
support of this resolution. Each of us will have a chance to spend some
time with veterans from our districts on Memorial Day.
We know we owe them more than words for their service, but the words
spoken here today came from the heart. And I would like to express my
heartfelt thanks to the liberators of Guam and all of our cherished
veterans and outstanding servicemen and women in uniform.
I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg), the author;
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock); and I urge all of my
colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg), who introduced this resolution.
Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
I want to close by thanking all of those who participated in this
debate and who discussed the issue of this resolution. The issue of
this resolution is not legislation as we debated the last hour
regarding the defense appropriation. The issue of this resolution is
the honoring of those American armed services personnel who have died
in our Nation's service and of the great tradition of Memorial Day.
We heard here today in this discussion that there is indeed a great
tradition surrounding Memorial Day that all Americans should be
reminded of and should remember; a tradition that, as the gentleman
from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker) reminds us, began as far as back as 1866
where veterans who had died, soldiers who had died in the Civil War,
both Union and Confederate, had their graves decorated by the wives of
Confederate soldiers who had died; a tradition that carried itself
forward all the way to this day, a tradition that inspired the poem
``In Flanders Fields,'' read so eloquently by the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the ranking member of the Committee on Armed
Services.
There are indeed many poems that commemorate this great day in our
history. One of them, ``We Shall Keep the Faith,'' written by Ms. Moina
Michael of Athens, Georgia, the second city that supported and
recognized Memorial Day, says:
We cherish too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
We have heard in this debate a discussion of the heroes who serve our
Nation today, those who have tragically died in combat both in
Afghanistan and in Iraq. I think it is indeed fitting that this year
all Americans would acquire a red paper poppy and would acknowledge the
sacrifice of those who have died.
As I indicated earlier, the red poppy is the national symbol of
sacrifice all over the world, not just here in America. That was a
tradition inspired by the fact that the red poppy was the first living
plant to sprout from the devastation of the battlefields of northern
France and Belgium during World War I; and its bright, vibrant color of
red brought life and hope and reassurance to those still fighting and
was the inspiration for the poem ``In Flanders Fields,'' which I would
at this point like to insert in the Record, as well as the ``Poppy
Poem'' by Doris Theiss, an American Legion member from Arizona, who
brought this issue to my office.
It seems to me that it is fitting that this year with so many
Americans still engaged in battle and the risk that today or tomorrow
or the day after tomorrow or indeed when we celebrate Memorial Day next
weekend itself, some American soldier may lose his or her life in the
service of our country.
For our colleagues who are watching and for those around the Nation,
this four-petaled crepe paper poppy became the official memorial flower
of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary in 1923; and
in 1927, at the Paris Convention, it was decided that only veteran-made
poppies would be distributed by the American Legion Auxiliary. All of
the poppies we see here on the floor today, and I would assume through
the balance of this week are handmade by veterans.
I think it is most fitting that we honor our veterans, most fitting
in particular that we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. And
I would hope that by this debate and by this memorial, Americans across
the Nation would remember once again the significance and the meaning
of Memorial Day they would hopefully acquire from the American Legion
or from the VFW, which also recognizes the red poppy, a red, four-
petaled poppy like this one, and this coming Memorial Day weekend
recognize and honor the tremendous sacrifice made by all those who have
died in our Nation's service.
In Flanders Fields
(By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army)
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
____
Poppy Poem
A man walked down the street the other day.
The ladies of the Auxiliary came his way.
He took the poppy and gave them a dime.
He mumbled ``Why do they take up my time?''
He put the poppy in the bottom hole of his coat;
Next to some pencils and other notes.
When he went home, he placed the poppy on the table;
The red paper flower with the little white label.
As he looked at the flower, as if inspired;
He wondered ``Who put this flower in this wire?''
He's probably a man who once stood tall;
And for his country he gave his all.
Now gave his all just to walk with a cane.
[[Page H3256]]
His strong hand were a sense of power,
Now he makes this little red flower.
In our world, we are busy with money and power,
While this man's job is this little red flower,
He still takes pride in what he has to do;
Petal by petal he makes this flower for you.
Next year when it comes to Poppy Day,
I'll be glad to see the Auxiliary come my way.
I'll cheerfully give them generously;
For the veterans making this flower could have been me.
May God Bless You,
Doris Theiss.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, as this country will shortly
celebrate Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the veterans who have honored
us with their service, and their sacrifice.
As a Nation, we are united in honoring our war dead, we also need to
be as united in honoring our living veterans.
In the last paragraph of his second inaugural address, Abraham
Lincoln uttered the words that would ultimately comfort untold numbers
of veterans and their families for generations to come. Lincoln
challenged the divided nation to ``Bind up the Nation's wounds; to care
for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his
orphan.''
Mr. Speaker, the promise of lifelong health care that this country
made to our men and women in uniform is being threatened, not by the
aggression of a foreign power, but by inadequate funding. As our
veterans grow older, they require increased dependence on health care
services.
Before elected for public office, I served as the chief psychiatric
nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas during the
70's. I was privileged to serve in the day care and rehabilitation
center of that facility for 15 years. I know firsthand that caring for
America's veterans is the ongoing cost of war.
The Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center is an excellent example of
how our nation can repay some of the debt it owes our brave veterans.
The DVAMC operates 216 internal medicine beds, including a 28-bed
pulmonary service. Moreover, a number of small VA hospitals and
outlying community hospitals refer patients to the DVAMC for the
diagnosis and treatment of complicated and unusual problems.
Mr. Speaker, I am worried that the proposed cuts will adversely
affect over 70,000 Texas veterans. This number includes more than
18,000 veterans in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It is estimated that
5,200 active patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will drop out of
the VA Health Care System.
Mr. Speaker, how can Congress and this administration even consider
slashing benefits at a time when our young men and women are still in
harm's way in Iraq, Afghanistan and Southwest Asia.
Veterans should not be expected to wait in long lines, and travel
farther for health care services at a diminished level. If we fail our
obligation to veterans, how can we justify sending more and more young
service into harm's way?
As we salute our veterans, we must also recognize the medical care
provided by VA medical centers, clinics, and nursing home facilities. I
applaud the efforts of the hundreds of compassionate men and women who
have dedicated themselves professionally to our veterans. Let us say to
them: We salute you and we thank you.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hastings of Washington). The question is
on the motion offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock) that
the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H.
Con. Res. 424.
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. SHADEGG. 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.
____________________