[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H8390-H8391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING AND COMMENDING THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 108) congratulating and commending 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 108

       Whereas the organization now known as the Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars of the United States was founded in Columbus, 
     Ohio, on September 29, 1899;
       Whereas the VFW represents approximately 2,000,000 veterans 
     of the Armed Forces who served overseas in World War I, World 
     War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq, 
     and Afghanistan; and
       Whereas the VFW has, for the past 105 years, provided 
     voluntary and unselfish service to the Armed Forces and to 
     veterans, communities, States, and the Nation and has worked 
     toward the betterment of veterans in general and society as a 
     whole: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     Congress--
       (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 105th 
     anniversary of the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
     of the United States (the VFW);
       (2) congratulates the VFW on achieving that milestone;
       (3) commends the approximately 2,000,000 veterans who 
     belong to the VFW and thanks them for their service to their 
     fellow veterans and the Nation; and
       (4) calls upon the President to issue a proclamation 
     recognizing the anniversary of the VFW and the contributions 
     made by the VFW to veterans and the Nation and calling upon 
     the people of the United States to observe such anniversary 
     with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  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. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 108 which would 
congratulate and commend the Veterans of Foreign Wars on its 105th 
anniversary. Tracing its roots back to the Spanish-American war, the 
VFW is one of the Nation's oldest, largest and one of the most 
respected veterans service organizations. The VFW has a proud history 
of directly supporting America's veterans and their families. Over 100 
full-time service officers work directly with veterans on claims for VA 
benefits and oversee VA's programs around the country as well. VFW's 
``Buddy Poppy'' program is a symbol of their continuing tradition of 
caring for fellow veterans, and their community service programs have 
made VFW a valued partner for thousands of charitable and civic 
organizations around the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I can attest to the valuable contributions of the VFW's 
legislative specialists who continue to provide expert advice and 
counsel to help us develop State and national veterans priorities and 
policy. Over the past 4 years, I have had the privilege, and before 
that for 6 years as vice chairman of the committee and the last 4 as 
chairman, of working closely with numerous VFW leaders both on the 
national level and on the State level back in my home State of New 
Jersey. My colleagues and I have benefited from the candid advice of 
VFW's Executive Director Bob Wallace from New Jersey, Legislative 
Director Dennis Cullinan, and past Commanders in Chief Ed Banas, Ray 
Sisk and John Gwizdak. We also look forward to working with the new 
Commander in Chief John Furgess.
  I would also like to thank the leaders of the VFW in my home State of 
New Jersey, especially longtime leader and friend Mike Wysong. For the 
entire 24 years that I have served in Congress and on Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs, I have always been able to count on my State VFW 
leaders to lend their support and offer their ideas to help our State's 
veterans and also with national issues as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this resolution. It is a fine 
one.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure that I rise in support of this joint 
resolution to congratulate and commend the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 
105 years of dedicated service. These congratulations extend not only 
to the current members of the more than 9,000 VFW posts worldwide but 
to all members since the beginning of this accomplished veterans 
service organization who served in wartime overseas.
  I would also like to recognize the contributions the VFW has made in 
my State of Maine. From Fort Kent in the north to Kittery in the south, 
the 13,500 members of the VFW located in 83 individual posts have 
always worked to improve the lives of veterans and our communities and 
I am honored to call many of them my friends.
  The VFW's origins extend back to 1899 with the founding of the 
American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the 
Army of the Philippines, which merged in 1914 to form the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars of the United States. Originally the organization was 
created to help secure rights and benefits for veterans of the Spanish-
American War and the Philippines War. They succeeded then as they do 
now, speaking with a loud and clear collective voice to serve veterans. 
This organization is to be congratulated and commended. The authors of 
this joint resolution are also to be commended for their efforts to 
recognize this great service organization.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Rodriguez).
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. 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 the last 105 years, the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars have been making a difference in the lives of those who 
have given so much to this country, our veterans and their families.

[[Page H8391]]

  Through their foundation, the VFW supports programs that promote 
citizenship education and volunteerism and facilitate aid for veterans 
and their families in need of both medical, rehabilitative, educational 
and employment services. Additionally, their members and those of the 
VFW Auxiliary volunteer countless hours at our veterans and military 
hospitals. During this time of increased military deployments, it is so 
important to have a network of veterans our injured soldiers and 
families can turn to for help and assistance.
  Throughout my 7 years in Congress, I have been fortunate to meet with 
VFW members in Washington as well as in my district on a regular basis 
as they advocate for increased veterans funding, services for homeless 
veterans, better education benefits for our veterans and many other 
issues. They have an incredible history. 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 105th anniversary.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
105th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who for decades have 
been committed to securing the rights and benefits of veterans that 
have serviced this country with honor, dignity, and valor.
  In 1899, after the Spanish-American War and the Philippine War, a 
group of veterans banded together founding the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
to ensure proper medical benefits for members of the military returning 
from foreign service. With a mission to improve the lives of veterans, 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars has lobbied for quality health care, 
education, and retirement benefits of veterans and their families for 
over 105 years. They have worked to protect the memory and legacy of 
those who lost their lives while in military service defending the 
freedom and values of our great Nation. In the state of Connecticut, 
there are over 26,000 members and 6,000 auxiliary members of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars. Nationwide, this organization has more than 
2.6 million members who served in World War I, World War II, Korean 
war, Vietnam, Persian Gulf war, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The 
Connecticut Veterans of Foreign War posts have been instrumental in 
raising awareness and fighting for better health care and benefits for 
those who risked their lives for our country.
  I believe that the Veterans of Foreign Wars should be recognized for 
their proud service to the veterans of Connecticut and the nation. 
Therefore, I urge my fellow Members to vote with me in support of H.J. 
Res. 108 and honor the Veterans of Foreign Wars as an organization 
committed to the courageous veterans of the United States of America.
  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support to this important 
resolution honoring the Veterans of Foreign Wars on its 105th 
anniversary. I was proud to introduce this resolution with Mr. Cole of 
Oklahoma, and I want to express my thanks to the distinguished chairman 
and ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee for helping move 
it quickly to the floor.
  In the wake of the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection, 
thousands of wounded veterans returned from war to find that there were 
no healthcare benefits or pensions provided for them. So, as people in 
the military do, they banded together to work as a team to provide care 
for each other by starting the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. 
This believe in service to fellow veterans is the core value of the 
VFW, and it continues this tradition today.
  The VFW now serves more than 2\1/2\ million American heroes who 
answered the call when the Nation needed them. For 105 years, the VFW 
has fought for increasing veterans' benefit, improving veterans' 
healthcare, and ensuring that America's veterans receive the 
recognition they deserve for their service. The VFW continues to live 
up to its motto every day--honoring the dead by helping the living. I 
am proud that the House is passing a resolution honoring such an 
effective and dedicated advocate for our Nation's veterans.
  I am also proud that this year the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be 
held by a son of Tennessee and a Nashville native: VFW Commander-in-
Chief John Furgess. John fought for his country in Vietnam as a young 
man, and when he returned he continued to serve by working for the 
Veterans Administration for 20 years. Over the course of his 
distinguished career in the VA and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, John 
has helped thousands of veterans get the benefits they have earned and 
the care they deserve. John's dedication to his country and his fellow 
veterans is a model for all Americans, and I look forward to seeing the 
VFW flourish under his leadership in the coming year.
  Finally, as we look back on the 105-year record of the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, it is also important to look forward. I am also proud 
that in congratulating the veterans of Foreign Wars we are also 
honoring our Nation's future veterans--the troops engaged in combat 
overseas today in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. The brave men and 
women of our Armed Forces put their lives on the line for all 
Americans, most of whom they have never met. There is no higher 
expression of selfless service than the willingness to risk one's life 
for others, and for the ideals that this country holds dear. The troops 
on the front line today--who are tomorrow's veterans--deserve our 
repeated thanks for serving the Nation.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 108.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the joint resolution was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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