[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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