[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10707-H10709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS DAY

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 663) supporting the goals and ideals 
of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 663

       Whereas veterans of the Spanish-American War and Philippine 
     Insurrection, the Nation's first major foreign conflicts, 
     faced hardships to include a complete lack of medical care 
     and pensions upon discharge from the service;
       Whereas on September 29, 1899 the American Veterans of 
     Foreign Service and in December 1899, the National Society of 
     the Army of the Philippines, were established to advocate for 
     the rights and benefits then denied to veterans of the 
     Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection;
       Whereas, in subsequent years, membership in these and other 
     veterans organizations continued to grow;
       Whereas these veterans organizations, recognizing their 
     common goals and the importance of unity, merged to form the 
     present-

[[Page H10708]]

     day Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in 1914;
       Whereas membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
     continued to grow and reached nearly 200,000 in 1936 when the 
     organization received its Congressional Charter;
       Whereas the 2.3 million members of the Veterans of Foreign 
     Wars and Ladies Auxiliary remain committed to the 
     organization's mission of ``ensuring rights, remembering 
     sacrifices, promoting patriotism, performing community 
     services, and advocating for a strong national defense'';
       Whereas the organization continues this honorable mission 
     by effectively advocating for our Nation's veterans, to 
     include helping establish the present-day Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, creating the Montgomery G.I. Bill, 
     developing the national cemetery system, and assisting combat 
     wounded veterans receive compensation for their injuries; and
       Whereas the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
     celebrate the organization's establishment and achievements 
     on September 29th while carrying on the vital mission of 
     their predecessors: Now, therefore, be it:
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives supports the 
     goals and ideals of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  As a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. 
Res. 663, a bill supporting the goals and ideals of Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Day.

                              {time}  1500

  H. Res. 663, which has 57 cosponsors, was introduced by 
Representative John Kline on September 19, 2007. H. Res. 663 was 
reported from the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on 
September 20, 2007, by a voice vote.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1899, veterans of the Spanish-American War and the 
Philippine Insurrection were upset by the poor treatment they received 
following their return from America's first major overseas conflict. As 
a result, the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National 
Society of the Army of the Philippines were established to advocate for 
the rights and benefits then denied to veterans of foreign conflicts.
  In 1914, these veteran organizations, recognizing their common goals 
and the importance of unity, merged to form the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, the VFW, of the United States. In the 108 years since the VFW's 
founding, members have proudly carried on the organization's mission of 
ensuring rights, remembering sacrifices, promoting patriotism, 
performing community services, and advocating for a strong national 
defense. The VFW has advocated for our Nation's veterans to include 
helping establish the present-day Department of Veterans Affairs, 
creating the Montgomery GI Bill of Rights, developing the national 
cemetery system, and assisting combat-wounded veterans in receiving 
compensation for their injuries for service to our Nation. I support 
the goals and ideas of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day, which honors our 
veterans' achievements and their service to our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative John Kline, for 
introducing this legislation, and I urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the present-day Veterans of Foreign Wars organization 
traces its origin to 1899 when two organizations were founded to 
achieve benefits and recognition for United States veterans of the 
Spanish-American War. These veterans were committed to ensuring that 
their efforts in that conflict were recognized, honored, and respected 
by their government.
  As the United States became involved in later foreign conflicts, the 
number of members of the VFW grew. The VFW received its congressional 
charter in 1936. Currently, there are 2.3 million members of the VFW 
and the Ladies Auxiliary. Efforts by the VFW were instrumental in 
establishing a Department of Veterans Affairs, the GI Bill, the 
national cemetery system, and assisting combat-wounded veterans to 
receive compensation for their injuries.
  In recognition of their achievements in peacetime and the role of its 
members in wartime, I would ask that my colleagues honor the VFW and 
declare a Veterans of Foreign Wars Day. I urge my colleagues to join in 
supporting House Resolution 663.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for 
time. I think there is no doubt there is no greater group of citizens 
in our country than those who have served and fought in foreign wars. I 
urge swift passage of this resolution.
  Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, as a lifetime member of VFW Post 
210 in Lakeville, Minnesota, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
663, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars.
  The VFW traces its roots back to 1899, when veterans of the Spanish-
American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local 
organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service.
  Before that time, many of our veterans would return home wounded or 
sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they 
were left to care for themselves.
  The founders of the VFW sought to remedy that and provide support and 
encouragement to all of our veterans who had served in foreign wars. 
Their mission statement was straightforward, ``to honor the dead by 
helping the living.'' Over time their mission expanded to ``ensuring 
rights, remembering sacrifices, promoting patriotism, performing 
community services, and advocating for a strong national defense.''
  They have a rich history of advocacy. The VFW has been instrumental 
in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 
20th century, the development of the national cemetery system, and the 
fight to ensure combat wounded veterans from all wars receive proper 
compensation.
  In addition, they have been a powerful force behind the creation of 
the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service 
Memorials.
  Today, the organization has grown to more than 2.3 million members 
worldwide and continues to advocate for all of our foreign veterans.
  I applaud the work of these individuals. Their continued commitment 
to each other and this great country of ours is truly inspirational. I 
am humbled by the work they have done for our veterans and I am honored 
to be bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Today, as we stand to celebrate the establishment and achievements of 
an organization that was born of patriotism, the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, I would ask each of my colleagues to join me in supporting H. 
Res. 663.
  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
outstanding work the Members the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 696 in 
Owensboro, Kentucky continue to do to improve their community. Post 696 
has exemplified the mission of the VFW: Honor the dead by helping the 
living.
  The Post has donated over $22,000 to local and state organizations in 
the past year. Beneficiaries of their generosity have included local 
schools, the Boy Scouts, shelters, and churches. Their generosity has 
also been extended to organizations such as the Wendell Foster Center, 
Shriners Hospitals, the Children's Wish Foundation, the Disabled 
American Veterans, and JEVCO.
  Post 696 recently sponsored a going away picnic for the members of 
Ft. Campbell's Alpha Troop and their families being deployed to Iraq. 
The City of Owensboro adopted Alpha Troop through the Americans 
Supporting Americans' Adopt-a-Unit-Program. I thank the members of the 
troop for their service and the City of Owensboro for this commitment 
to these brave soldiers.
  The VFW Post 696 Honor/Color Guard has been busy serving the 
community as well. Since 2001, they have participated in over 400 
Veteran funerals and 50 community events in Daviess County.
  I want to recognize the leaders of Post 696 Commander Richard ``Ike'' 
Eisenmenger Jr., Ladies Auxiliary President Marilu Goodsell, and Color/
Honor Guard Commander Joseph Hayden. They have worked tirelessly to 
serve veterans and improve their community.
  It is my privilege to honor the members of VFW Post 696 today, before 
the entire United States House of Representatives, for their past 
service to our country and continued dedication to serving their 
community.

[[Page H10709]]

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 663.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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.

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