[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 9, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H10116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the 
end of Vietnam War and the 60th anniversary of the end of Second World 
War. It also marks the fifth anniversary of the Veterans History 
Project.
  Five years ago Congress unanimously passed legislation that I 
authored creating the Veterans History Project. It was ushered through 
Congress with the help of Representative Amo Houghton, the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), and Senators Cleland and Hagel.
  The idea behind the project is simple, to collect, preserve and share 
with current and future generations alike the stories and history of 
American veterans and those who supported them on the home front. The 
project spans from World War I to the present, covering both World 
Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the current 
conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  It acts as both a learning tool and a living memorial to our Nation's 
veterans. Since its inception in 2000, the Veterans History Project's 
success has far exceeded our expectations. Despite modest funding, the 
Veterans History Project has an ever-increasing collection with more 
than 40,000 histories contributed by America's veterans, making it the 
largest oral history collection in the world today. Each story is 
unique, but taken together as a whole, the compilation puts a familiar 
face on the universal realities of war, courage and fear, horror and 
exhilaration, sorrow and triumph.
  These collections include oral interviews, written, audio and video 
recordings, and authentic diaries, maps, letters and photographs. 
Thanks to the dedicated staff at the Library of Congress, where it is 
being housed, and the thousands of contributions from our many veterans 
across the country, the Veterans History Project has captured the 
American spirit better than any history book ever could.
  The project also provides a way for local veterans to connect with 
students, community groups and each other. Across the country teachers 
have used the project as an eye-opening history lesson for their 
students. Veterans have been able to meet with classes, sharing their 
experiences with students and having their stories recorded as part of 
the project.
  Two of the biggest supporters of the Veterans History Project in my 
congressional district are Bill Bruning, a veteran and Patriotic 
Officer for American Legion Post 52 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and Karen 
Schoenfeld. Karen teaches at a charter school in LaCrosse and includes 
the Veterans History Project in her class. Inspired by the veterans she 
and her class have met as part of the project, Karen wrote this 
beautiful poem that I would like to share. It is entitled ``I Never Saw 
Your Face Before.''
  ``I never saw your face before, I never knew your name. But now our 
paths have crossed, and I will never be the same.
  ``I never saw the flag before. Not really, not its soul. I only saw 
the stars, the stripes, a fabric on a pole.
  ``Now as I gaze upon our flag, I can see young faces, all called away 
from our proud land to other distant places.
  ``They did what they were called to do. They put their dreams on 
hold. They knew that others needed them. They did what they were told.
  ``And you, my friend, have taught me this, the sacrifices made. You 
helped me know what I have earned from the price that others paid.
  ``I've been in class, I've read the books. I've seen the movies, too. 
But now I know our freedom's price, all this I've learned from you.''
  This beautiful poem is a testament to the power this project has had 
in educating Americans about our bravest men and women.
  The Veterans History Project is a salute and an ongoing memorial to 
these many brave individuals who have sacrificed to protect the ideals 
of this great Nation and those who continue that proud tradition of 
service today.
  On this Veterans Day, I invite my colleagues in Congress, as well as 
all Americans, to participate in this nationwide effort to honor our 
veterans. Anyone can contact their Representative's or Senator's office 
for more information on the Veterans History Project, or you can 
contact the Library of Congress through their Web site at loc.gov.
  On this Veterans Day may we all take time to thank the veterans in 
our life, perhaps do an oral history interview with them or find some 
other way to show them our gratitude.
  May God bless our men and women in uniform wherever they may be 
serving our country today. May God bless our veterans and their 
families and may God continue to bless these United States of America.

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