[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1283-E1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL DEDICATION A SUCCESS; WEEKEND OF MAY 29, 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 25, 2004

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
and recognize the staff of the American Battle Monuments Commission and 
the World War II Project for all their efforts in ensuring a very 
successful dedication of the World War II National Memorial: General 
P.X. Kelley, Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission; Major 
General John Herrling, Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission; 
Mr. Kenneth Pond, Executive Director, American Battle Monuments 
Commission; Mr. Mike Conley, Associate Executive Director, National 
World War II Memorial Project; Mr. Bob Patrick, Director, National 
World War II Memorial Dedication; Mr. Dick Couture, Director, Marketing 
and Member Services, National World War II Memorial; Ms. Betsy Glick, 
Director, Communications, National World War II Memorial Project; and 
Mr. Barry Owenby, Project Executive, National World War II Memorial 
Project.
  These individuals, along with their staffs, worked untold months to 
ensure that the weekend of May 29, 2004, will live on in the hearts of 
the veterans and families of the ``Greatest Generation.''
  More than 150,000 people attended the May 29, 2004, dedication 
ceremony of the first national memorial built to honor all of the 
Americans who served their country during World War II. Millions more 
were able to watch the

[[Page E1284]]

dedication through live television feeds to the national broadcasting 
networks, the History Channel, and C-Span.
  Additional events throughout the weekend drew large crowds who 
gathered for reunions and celebrations. A four-day National World War 
II Reunion held in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution Center 
for Folklife and Cultural Heritage drew over 300,000 people, and three 
two-hour ceremonial and musical performances held at the MCI Center 
were sold out. A Service of Celebration at the Washington National 
Cathedral was well attended by military and civilian clergy and World 
War II dignitaries.
  Mr. Speaker, the enthusiasm, performance, and commitment of all the 
staff at the American Battle Monuments Commission, the National WWII 
Memorial Project, and the National WWII Memorial Dedication do not go 
unnoticed, and I thank them for their exceptional work on behalf of our 
Nation's veterans.

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