[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2318-E2319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING FORTY & EIGHT, HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the Forty & Eight organization. Throughout our Nation's 
history, we have turned time and again to our men and women in uniform; 
calling on them to preserve our freedom and uphold our democratic 
values. Time and again they have heeded the call and protected our 
Nation with honor and valor.
  More than a million of our brave men and women have paid the ultimate 
sacrifice for their country. Joining the ranks of these heroes are the 
thousands who have been held as prisoners of war or whose fate has 
never been resolved. This loss was all the more difficult for their 
loved ones because it has never been determined whether they perished 
or survived.
  However, their loved ones can take solace in knowing that their 
sacrifice was for a purpose, one that they were prepared to make. As 
President Reagan said on the 40th anniversary of D-Day, ``You all knew 
that . . . one's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth 
dying for . . . all of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to 
fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind 
you''.
  Military families are the first line of support for our service men 
and women. They provide them the courage they need to march on in 
battle; and they fight for their legacy long after the battle has been 
won.
  Organizations like Forty & Eight are part of the military family. 
Since 1920 they have worked tirelessly to insure that the legacies of 
our service members endure alongside the freedom that they fought so 
selflessly to defend.
  On September 19th, Forty & Eight will come together in Citrus County 
to award a scholarship to the dependent of a known and verified POW or 
MIA. The scholarship is named in memory of Lance Corporal John Dewey 
Killen III, USMC. Lance Corporal Killen was declared missing in action 
while serving with the Third Reconnaissance Battalion in South Vietnam.
  This scholarship is just one example of Forty & Eight's commitment to 
our veterans, both those who are still with us, those who have gone 
before us and those whose fate is still yet unknown.

[[Page E2319]]

  I represent more veterans than any other Member of Congress. I am 
forever grateful to Forty & Eight, and organizations like them, for 
their continued commitment to our service men and women and their 
families.

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