[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 161 (Monday, November 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12151-H12152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         LOUISIANA HONORAIR DAY

  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 828) to recognize October 24, 2009, the 20th 
chartered flight of World War II veterans through Louisiana HonorAir, 
as ``Louisiana HonorAir Day,'' and to honor the invaluable service and 
dedication of the World War II veterans to our Nation.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 828

       Whereas in late 2006, T.D. Smith of Louisiana founded 
     Louisiana HonorAir, a nonprofit organization, which charters 
     flights for World War II veterans on an all-expenses-paid, 
     day-long trip from Louisiana to Washington, DC, to see the 
     World War II Memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial, and to lay 
     a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
       Whereas since its first flight out of Lafayette, Louisiana 
     in early 2007, Louisiana HonorAir has flown close to 2,000 
     World War II veterans to Washington, DC, to be honored for 
     their invaluable service, sacrifice, and dedication to our 
     Nation;
       Whereas approximately 100 to 130 World War II veterans are 
     selected by Louisiana HonorAir for each flight on a first-
     come-first-served basis;
       Whereas Louisiana HonorAir is run by volunteers and 
     sustained by donations and State grants;
       Whereas before Louisiana HonorAir culminates in Lafayette, 
     Louisiana, on April 10, 2010, its last three flights will be 
     chartered from New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 26, 
     October 10, and October 24, 2009;
       Whereas the 100th chartered flight of World War II veterans 
     aboard U.S. Airways occurs during Louisiana HonorAir's 
     October 10, 2009, flight out of New Orleans, Louisiana, home 
     to the National World War II Museum;
       Whereas, October 24, 2009, marks the 20th chartered flight 
     of World War II veterans through Louisiana HonorAir;
       Whereas with the average World War II veteran being 86 
     years old and becoming too ill to visit the World War II 
     Memorial in Washington, DC, there are not many opportunities 
     left to honor them for their service: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes 
     Louisiana HonorAir for its 20 chartered flights of World War 
     II veterans to Washington, DC, to visit the National World 
     War II Memorial, honors the invaluable service and dedication 
     of the World War II veterans to our Nation, and supports the 
     designation of a ``Louisiana HonorAir Day''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Walz) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New Orleans for 
putting this piece of legislation forward. This is an incredibly 
important program, and it is one that any of us who have had the 
incredible honor of being in the presence of our World War II veterans 
as they get a chance to return back to their memorial would say is 
really moving.
  The Louisiana HonorAir's mission is to provide that every single 
Louisiana World War II veteran have the opportunity to view the World 
War II Memorial for the first time. As the home of the National World 
War II Museum, Louisiana holds deep roots in celebrating our World War 
II veterans community.
  Louisiana HonorAir provides the veterans a chance to stand in the 
presence of the landmark that memorializes their service to this 
country. They also visit Arlington National Cemetery and lay a wreath 
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  The World War II Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery mark our 
country's gratitude for the heroic service our veterans have provided 
to the country. They are also a symbolic tie these veterans have to our 
country's history. This experience only lasts one day, but it hopefully 
stays in the hearts of our veterans and their loved ones forever.
  This service provided by Louisiana HonorAir is an act of love for our 
World War II veterans. Operating solely on the efforts of volunteers 
and financial support from donors, Louisiana HonorAir is able to make 
these dreams possible at no cost to the veterans.
  Because the youngest World War II veteran is 70 years old, and the 
average age of our veterans is 86, time is of the essence. Many of our 
last World War II veterans are becoming too ill to travel, and there 
are not many opportunities left to honor them for their service.
  House Resolution 828 will recognize and celebrate Louisiana 
HonorAir's 20th chartered flight on October 24, 2009, Louisiana 
HonorAir Day.

                              {time}  1445

  We act on the limited chance to support our last surviving World War 
II veterans. Let's not forget them, and let's take advantage of every 
opportunity to celebrate their service to their country. With that, 
again, I thank the gentleman for such an important resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I also rise in support of House Resolution 828, a resolution 
recognizing October 24, 2009, the 20th chartered flight of World War II 
veterans through the Louisiana HonorAir, as Louisiana HonorAir Day, and 
to honor the invaluable service and dedication of World War II veterans 
nationwide.
  Founded in late 2006 by T.D. Smith of Louisiana, Louisiana HonorAir 
provides World War II veterans an all-expense-paid, day-long trip from 
Louisiana to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II Memorial, the 
Marine Corps Memorial, and to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown 
Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. I want to congratulate them for 
their continued service to our Nation. Their flight on October 24, 
2009, was the 20th Honor Flight organized by this organization, and I 
am sure it won't be the last.
  I have also had the experience and privilege of honoring these Honor 
Flights in my congressional district. We've had four of these. Last 
week, in fact, we have just had one, and I will recognize that Senator 
Dole and Senator Libby Dole also were participants at the site to meet 
and greet these veterans as a tribute to them.
  I know that I have been inspired by the veterans who have 
participated in honor flights from my district in Florida, and all 
Honor Flight Networks around our country deserve our support. Also on 
October 10, 2009, the 100th chartered flight of World War II veterans 
aboard U.S. Airways occurred during a Louisiana HonorAir Flight out of 
New Orleans, Louisiana, the home to the National World War II Museum. 
It is estimated by the National Honor Flight Network that over 42,000 
veterans will have participated in honor flights by the end of this 
year. So I think it's a tribute to recognize this resolution, but it's 
also a tribute to my colleague Mr. Cao of Louisiana for introducing 
this resolution and honoring this worthy organization. I would like to 
thank both the chairman and the ranking member for moving this 
resolution so quickly, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALZ. I have no further speakers, and reserve the balance of my 
time, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker I yield such time as he may consume to the 
author, Mr. Cao of Louisiana.
  Mr. CAO. Thank you very much for allowing me to speak on behalf of my 
resolution.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 828, to designate October 
24, 2009, as Louisiana HonorAir Day in honor of the invaluable service 
of World War II veterans to our Nation. October 24, 2009, marked the 
20th charter flight of World War II veterans from Louisiana

[[Page H12152]]

to D.C. through Louisiana HonorAir to visit the National World War II 
Memorial. Louisiana HonorAir's mission is to provide every World War II 
veteran who is physically able to travel the opportunity to view the 
World War II Memorial for the first time. World War II veterans are 
granted a charter flight from Louisiana to Washington, D.C., for a day-
long, all-expenses-paid-trip to visit the National World War II 
Memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial and other 
memorials and to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The 
World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004 for a generation whose 
youngest members are in their late seventies. Therefore, many of the 
men and women who fought and sacrificed for our country have not had 
the opportunity or ability to visit. Sadly, a few of the World War II 
veterans scheduled to go on the October 24 flight passed away or became 
too ill to travel and were, therefore, unable to be properly honored 
for their tremendous sacrifices.
  As Louisiana HonorAir prepares to fly its final flight on April 10, 
2010, I am proud that these last three fall flights were out of New 
Orleans, Louisiana, home to the National World War II Museum. Mr. 
Speaker, I had the great opportunity to welcome home several members of 
the veterans community on their flights back from Washington, D.C., 3 
weeks ago, and I have to say that from the receptions that I have 
received and from the faces of the many members who came back from 
Washington, D.C., on that HonorAir flight, they were very grateful and 
honored to be able to participate in the program. Under the leadership 
of T.D. Smith, the Louisiana HonorAir reminds our Nation's World War II 
veterans how indebted we are to them for their service. As the son of a 
war veteran, I consider it a personal honor to sponsor this 
legislation, and I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of 
House Resolution 828.
  Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support our Armed Forces and 
veterans and fully realize the debt of gratitude that our nation owes 
the men and women who defend our country. Mindful of this commitment, I 
thank the World War II veterans for their commitment and unselfish 
service to America. I would especially like to thank the Louisiana 
HonorAir organization for their hard work and dedication to these 
veterans and recognize October 24, 2009 as ``Louisiana HonorAir Day.''
  In 2007, Louisiana HonorAir began flying WWII veterans three hours on 
a chartered flight from Louisiana to our nation's Capital free of 
charge. In Washington, D.C., the groups toured the WWII Memorial, 
Korean Memorial and Vietnam Memorial and attended wreath laying 
ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National 
Cemetery. Then, as quickly as they came, the groups returned home to a 
hero's welcome in Louisiana where family and friends gathered to show 
their appreciation one more time. For many veterans, it was their first 
time to tour the WWII Memorial because of its recent construction, 
while for others it was their only chance to see these sights dedicated 
to the great service they provided to our nation.
  Having met many of these groups in Washington, I continue to be 
awestruck by the reactions of these brave men and women who stood up to 
tyranny in Europe and Asia. Many rarely talk about their service, 
instead, looking to happier times. However, in the company of others 
who nobly served, they are able to frankly discuss their experiences, 
share tearful stories and remember comrades missing or killed in 
action. I am grateful to have worked with Louisiana HonorAir and I 
salute them, as well as the courageous men and women who stood to 
protect America.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the brave men 
and women who defended America and in commending Louisiana HonorAir by 
recognizing October 24, 2009 as ``Louisiana HonorAir Day.''
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on House Resolution 828.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New Orleans 
and urge my colleagues to unanimously support this important 
resolution, H. Res. 828.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 828.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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