[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 170 (Monday, November 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H12475-H12476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H12475]]
 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE GOALS OF VETERANS EDUCATE TODAY'S STUDENTS 
                               (VETS) DAY

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 60) expressing support for the 
goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students (VETS) Day, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 60

       Whereas the United States has, in the course of its 
     history, fought in many wars and conflicts to defend freedom 
     and protect the interests of the Nation;
       Whereas millions of men and women have served the Nation in 
     time of need as members of the Armed Forces;
       Whereas the service of veterans has been vital to the 
     Nation, and the sacrifices made by veterans and their 
     families should not be forgotten with the passage of time;
       Whereas children throughout the Nation would benefit from 
     programs that provide education about veterans and that 
     instill a patriotic appreciation of the sacrifices made by 
     veterans to defend freedom and to protect the interests of 
     the Nation;
       Whereas efforts are being made throughout the Nation to 
     devote November 10, or another date as may be designated, to 
     an event known as Veterans Educate Today's Students Day; and
       Whereas schools that participate in Veterans Educate 
     Today's Students Day set aside a portion of the school day 
     for the study, recognition, and appreciation of veterans: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes the importance of veterans to the United 
     States;
       (2) expresses support for the goals of Veterans Educate 
     Today's Students Day;
       (3) urges teachers, civic leaders, and veterans to carry 
     out programs that educate children about the service of 
     veterans and the sacrifices made by veterans and their 
     families; and
       (4) encourages the people of the United States to 
     participate in local and national activities recognizing 
     Veterans Educate Today's Students Day and other events that 
     foster education about the importance of veterans to the 
     Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Again, I am proud to bring to the floor another motion, another 
resolution, another action that will help us understand and better 
appreciate the contributions of our veterans from many wars. I want to 
thank Congressman Frank Pallone from New Jersey, who offers this 
resolution, and it will recognize our Nation's veterans for their 
sacrifice to our country.
  Currently, brave men and women who are fighting in missions 
throughout the world, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, do not have an 
exact avenue to let us know what has occurred or let us know how to 
appreciate or spread that appreciation to others in our society. This 
resolution will provide an avenue to educate our children about the 
sacrifice our servicemembers and their families are making.
  Veterans Educate Today's Students Day will designate November 10 as 
VETS Day that would call for teachers, civic leaders, and veterans to 
carry out programs to educate children about the service of our 
Nation's veterans and their sacrifice. VETS Day is a day students can 
be taught to appreciate that because of our Nation's veterans we are 
able to enjoy the many freedoms that we take for granted. VETS Day 
should be the day we highlight veterans' service, American freedoms and 
pass on to our children our American ideals. This is why I urge all my 
colleagues to join me in support of H. Con. Res. 60.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This is a simple resolution, just basically expressing support for 
the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students Day, and for other 
purposes. I believe that in this case it will be November 10, the day 
before Veterans Day, when this will be celebrated. So obviously we need 
to support this resolution. It expresses the sense of the support of 
Congress for the goals of this VETS Day.
  It is noticeable that we recognize the importance of educating the 
children of today about this sacrificial history of veterans and their 
families so close to the national day of honor for those same veterans, 
which is on November 11, Veterans Day.
  My colleagues, the number of veterans today is not as large as it 
used to be. The children in schools are less likely to have a parent, 
uncle or aunt who served in the military who could tell them about 
their experiences. My father served in Iwo Jima. He could tell me about 
his experience during that Pacific war. He has since been deceased. But 
I remember him talking about it and how much education it was for me. 
So those from the Greatest Generation who have passed from this world 
leave behind a legacy of courage, loyalty, and honor. This legacy was 
picked up and continued by the next generation of veterans from the 
Korean War, the Vietnam War, military engagements in Haiti and Kosovo, 
Gulf War I, and today in the current conflicts in Afghanistan and in 
Iraq.
  So, Mr. Speaker, to set aside a specific day to educate our children 
about the sacrifice, the gallantry of our Nation's heroes demonstrates 
the importance of that service. It is because of them that we still 
have the freedom in this Chamber and the freedom we cherish today.
  Now, some school districts are already taking steps in this direction 
by inviting veterans to speak in their classrooms on Veterans Day and 
share their stories with the students and all the teachers. We should 
encourage this worthwhile educational activity in more schools across 
the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of H. 
Con. Res. 60.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield such time as he may 
consume to the author of this resolution, a man who fights for veterans 
in his district and around the Nation, Mr. Pallone from New Jersey.
  Mr. PALLONE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, as we approach Veterans Day on November 11 of this 
month, I want to say a few words about why I introduced House 
Concurrent Resolution 60 which, as you know, expresses support for the 
goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students Day, or VETS Day.
  Throughout our Nation's history, millions of men and women have 
served the U.S. in times of need as members of the armed services, and 
these veterans and their families have made sacrifices that should not 
be forgotten with the passage of time. In the U.S., hundreds of 
memorials and monuments stand to honor those who have served in the 
armed services. While these tributes help remind Americans of the great 
sacrifices that were made to protect our freedoms, they can't educate 
today's youth the way actual veterans can.
  The VETS Day essentially would urge teachers and civic leaders to 
organize events and forums where students can interact with America's 
veterans.
  H. Con. Res. 60 would encourage schools to set aside a portion of the 
day in November to allow veterans to answer students' questions while 
conveying important stories and lessons about their service. I actually 
have participated in these kinds of programs in my own district, Mr. 
Speaker; and I know how valuable they can be.
  At a time when the men and women of our armed services are in harm's 
way, we should be educating today's students on the sacrifices these 
brave men and women make every day. The children of our Nation will 
benefit from programs that provide education about veterans and instill 
a patriotic appreciation of the sacrifices made by veterans to defend 
freedom and protect the interests of our Nation.
  Again, I think the most important thing is hearing firsthand accounts 
from veterans themselves, and that is the best way that students can 
better understand veterans' service and sacrifice. Again, I want to 
thank the chairman for his assistance and urge swift passage of this 
resolution.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I will conclude by saying that obviously 
encouraging the people of the United States to participate in local and 
national activities, recognizing Veterans Educate Today's Students Day, 
or VETS Day, is something that we should remind all Americans about

[[Page H12476]]

how important it is and realize that it not only fosters education of 
our youth, but it also provides the veterans an opportunity to explain 
things perhaps that no one has ever asked them or taken the time to 
say, what was it like? So in a way, it is an opportunity for them, as 
well as the students.
  I urge adoption of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, again I want to thank Mr. Pallone for 
authoring this resolution. I know many of us who give speeches on 
Memorial Day and on Veterans Day note always that there are not many 
youth in the audience. And to bring these stories to our students, to 
our youth, is extremely important.
  I ask unanimous support of this resolution.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I would also ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in way to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 
60.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 60.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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