[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 101 (Tuesday, July 20, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H6081-H6082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H6081]]
     RECOGNIZING MEMBERS OF AMVETS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE NATION

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 308) recognizing the 
members of AMVETS for their service to the Nation and supporting the 
goal of AMVETS National Charter Day.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 308

       Whereas on July 23, 1947, AMVETS (American Veterans) 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' 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) 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 Maine (Mr. Michaud) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 308, legislation recognizing 
the members of AMVETS for their service to the Nation and supporting 
the goal of AMVETS on National Charter Day.
  I want to recognize the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop), the 
sponsor of this legislation, and thank him for his work on this 
resolution.
  From its origins in the middle of World War II, AMVETS has 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 to a national organization, 
Madam Speaker, with over 250,000 members, in addition to another 60,000 
members of its ladies auxiliary.
  As chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I can attest to 
the important role that AMVETS plays in Washington advocating for 
stronger Federal policies supporting veterans, their surviving spouses 
and dependents. Their legislative staff is among the finest, and they 
have played a key role in many important public policy debates. Members 
know that they can count on AMVETS for advice, counsel and support as 
we continue developing national policies to benefit our veterans.
  Madam Speaker, I want to recognize and commend AMVETS National 
Commander John Sisler of Groveland, Illinois, who presented AMVETS 
legislative goals at our joint Senate-House Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs hearing earlier this year. He should be proud of the fact and 
of the success of AMVETS that they have achieved and continue 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.
  I urge support for H. Con. Res. 308.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 308. This measure recognizes the members of AMVETS for their 
efforts on behalf of military families and service to our Nation.
  During and following their military service, members of AMVETS have 
routinely worked to provide important services to their local 
communities and to their fellow veterans. They have truly been guided 
by the AMVETS motto: ``We fought together, now let's build together.''
  This motto definitely rings true back in my home State of Maine, 
which is home to a very active and successful AMVETS chapter.
  Madam Speaker, AMVETS has designated July 23 as its National Charter 
Day, with the goal to encourage public awareness of their commitment 
and service to veterans, their families and our country.

                              {time}  1800

  I commend and applaud AMVETS for their past, present, and future 
service. I am pleased to support House Concurrent Resolution 308, and I 
ask other Members to do the same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, we are incredibly blessed in this 
country to have a group of veterans service organizations looking out 
for the best interest of our veterans. For almost 60 years, American 
Veterans, commonly referred to as AMVETS, have been making a difference 
in the lives of those who have given so much for this country, our 
veterans and their families.
  Through their national service foundations, AMVETS has service 
officers throughout the country who provide guidance and action on 
compensation claims and help them at no charge to our veterans.
  Additionally, their Members and those of the AMVETS Auxiliary 
volunteer countless hours at our veterans and military hospitals 
throughout this country. During this time of increased military 
deployment, it is so important to have a network of veterans who help 
our injured soldiers and to whom they can turn for help and assistance.
  Throughout my 7 years in Congress, I have met with AMVETS on a 
regular basis as they advocate for funding for veteran services, needs 
for homeless veterans, for better education benefits for our veterans, 
and many other issues. They have been there. Without them, we would not 
be where we are. They have been a voice for our veterans and continue 
to be there for our veterans. They have an incredible history, and I 
would like to take this opportunity not only to thank them for all they 
do for our veterans, but also to congratulate them on their upcoming 
National Charter Day.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Con. Res. 308, a bill that I introduced to honor the AMVETS 
veterans service organization's National Charter Day. AMVETS is an 
organization that is truly dedicated to helping this Nation's veterans, 
and I am pleased to see that this Congress is now acting to support 
this group which consistently works to help the men and women who have 
selflessly served this country.
  I am proud to recognize AMVETS for its dedication to bettering the 
lives of veterans throughout this country. As we continue our military 
operations overseas, we must not forget that honoring veterans and 
their service must be something that we do every day, not just on 
Memorial Day and Veterans Day. We must always look to recognize and pay 
tribute to the sacrifices made to the individuals that have stared down 
the many faces of tyranny with undying dedication to our country.
  On July 23, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216 
making

[[Page H6082]]

AMVETS the first World War II organization to be chartered by Congress. 
Today the organization is open to anyone who has served or is currently 
serving in the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and the 
Reserves.
  AMVETS has a long history of helping veterans; and in a recent year, 
AMVETS processed more than 24,000 VA claims that resulted in veterans 
receiving approximately $400 million in owed benefits. As Members of 
Congress, we all know how important it is to provide this kind of 
service to America's deserving veterans.
  I am pleased that the House will soon adopt this resolution honoring 
AMVETS National Charter Day, and I hope that this Friday, as we 
celebrate national recognition of this organization, all Members of 
Congress will take the time to support their local members of AMVETS.
  I am proud to support the five AMVETS posts located in my district, 
and I am sure that my colleagues share in the feeling of appreciation I 
have for the thousands of AMVETS members and their families who are 
dedicated to helping America's veterans.
  Madam Speaker, I urge swift passage of this resolution.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 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. Madam Speaker, I applaud the leadership of 
the gentleman from Maine, and I applaud particularly the sponsor and 
originator of this resolution, the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Bishop).
  I celebrate with them as we commend AMVETS for their Charter Day on 
July 23, 1947. It has been said that Texas is a State that has probably 
the largest number of veterans living within it. Therefore, we are very 
much committed to our veterans. This is an excellent opportunity to 
honor the AMVETS because they honor us. Their theme, ``We fought 
together, now let us build together,'' means they are vital components 
to our community.
  As a congressional district that houses one of the largest veterans 
hospitals in the Nation, I thank them for their continued service to 
our veterans there, providing services to hospitalized veterans, 
assisting veterans in their problems regarding housing and employment, 
marching in parades, participating in Color Guards and burial details, 
and educating the Nation's youth.
  On July 4, I had the opportunity to visit a homeless center where a 
number of men gathered. I provided them with a patriotic mission and 
message. In that group, however, it was interesting to note the many, 
many veterans that were there; and their point was our condition may 
not be the best now, but we love our country and want to improve our 
conditions in life. AMVETS are concerned about those veterans.
  I expect we will have another legislative initiative on the floor 
today that will provide for the improved compensation for veterans 
sponsored by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). I want to add 
my support for that legislation as well. But allow me to close by 
saying that the AMVETS deserve their full day of honor because they 
have honored us by their continued service in our community.
  The very fact that these AMVETS include all of the veterans that have 
served honorably since World War II and during World War II is again a 
recognition of the Greatest Generation, but it is also a chance to be 
able to have these vets teach others.
  I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) for presenting us 
with this honor and tribute to AMVETS, and I add my support for this 
legislation. I ask my colleagues to unanimously vote for this AMVETS 
resolution honoring those who served.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  In closing, I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) 
for his continued fighting for veterans issues. Also, I want to thank 
staff on both sides of the aisle for bringing these bills before us 
today. The staff has done a tremendous job in making sure that we have 
these bills before us in the proper form.
  Also, I want to thank the veterans and the VSOs for all their work in 
helping keep Congress's feet to the fire in supporting issues important 
to our veterans in this country.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I too want to thank the gentleman from Maine (Mr. 
Michaud) and the staff, Pat Ryan, chief of staff and general counsel, 
and Mary Ellen McCarthy who has done a very good job, and Kingston 
Smith on my right here. This is truly an effort to try to write 
legislation that really will make a difference. These four bills, and 
some of the others that are pending which will soon be before the body, 
really do advance the ball on behalf of our veterans.
  I thank them for their cooperation and their partnership on this. 
That is what it is all about, ``to try to care for him who has borne 
this Nation's battle, and for his widow and for his orphan,'' to quote 
President Lincoln.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). 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. 
308.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________