[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 125 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7181-S7182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE AMERICAN LEGION DAY
Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 627, which was submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk
will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 627) designating September 16, 2010,
as ``The American Legion Day.''
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Ms. SNOWE. Madam President, I rise in support of legislation with
Senator Lincoln, Senator Collins, and Senator Chambliss, which would
officially recognize The American Legion and its vital role in
communities across the Nation, by designating September 16, 2010, as
``The American Legion Day.''
Nothing describes the role of The American Legion more beautifully
than the preamble to its constitution which is recited by its members
at the beginning of every official meeting. ``For God and Country, we
associated ourselves together for the following purposes: to uphold and
defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain
law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent
Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations
in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the
community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the
classes and the masses; to make right the Master of Might; to promote
peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity
the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; and to consecrate and
sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.''
I think we all would agree that these are extremely lofty goals for
any organization, but amazingly for over 90 years The American Legion
has worked towards these objectives--not for themselves, but for
America.
Most people are surprised to learn that The American Legion was
actually founded in Paris, France. World War I veterans remembered the
challenges facing wartime veterans from previous generations and vowed
not to let their fellow comrades face the same hardships, especially
those with service-connected disabilities. They wanted employment
opportunities for returning combat veterans. They were concerned about
the survivors of combat veterans who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in
service to their country. And most importantly, they wanted medical
care provided to the wounded and ill returning service members.
Now, as it did at its founding, The American Legion remains focused
on supporting veterans, military service members, and their families.
Since December 2008, The American Legion's Operation Comfort Warriors
has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy merchandise for
Wounded Warriors in military medical centers around the country.
Through the ``Heroes to Hometowns'' program The American Legion helps
local communities prepare ``welcome home'' events when wounded warriors
are finally released from military or veterans' affairs medical
centers. Since the first gulf war, The American Legion has maintained
its Family Support Network which assists deployed service members and
their families, especially members of the National Guard and Reserves.
Some requests are for financial assistance, but other requests are
simply for household chores, such as lawn work or car maintenance, that
would normally be done by the soldier, sailor, airmen, or marine, were
they not deployed. No request is too large or too small.
Many Legionnaires can be found in public schools on Veterans' Day or
Memorial Day talking about their military service during periods of
armed conflict to make sure the next generation of Americans
understands the sacrifices and hardships of previous generations of
wartime veterans. Legionnaires also teach students about the proper
display and care of the flag of the United States.
The American Legion works closely with the American Red Cross--the
largest organization of blood donors and a working partner in disaster
assistance. Many American Legion Posts serve as Red Cross and Federal
Emergency Management Agency work centers in areas hit by natural
disasters. Members of more than 14,000 American Legion Posts donate
nearly 100,000 pints of blood to the American Red Cross each year.
The American Legion is also proud of its membership's spirit of
volunteerism. Each year, Legionnaires volunteer about 1 million hours
of services in VA and military medical facilities, State veterans'
homes, and other such community volunteer opportunities.
And one of the most solemn of functions performed by The American
Legion is providing burial details for fallen comrades of every
generation. The American Legion Color Guards, Buglers and Rifle Squads
perform thousands of burials in veterans' and private cemeteries around
the Nation.
As all of us in this Chamber know, The American Legion remains today
an active and vigorous advocate for service members, veterans, and
their families here on Capitol Hill. Among its greatest legislative
achievements was the enactment of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of
1944, the GI Bill of Rights. The initial draft of the GI Bill was
written by Legionnaires at the Mayflower Hotel here in Washington, DC.
Many consider the GI bill to be one of the greatest pieces of
legislation ever enacted.
Congress presented The American Legion its Federal charter on
September 16, 1919. Therefore, I think it only fitting that we proclaim
September 16, 2010, ``The American Legion Day.'' I sincerely hope that
my colleagues will join me in supporting this well-earned measure,
demonstrating our respect and esteem for this outstanding organization.
[[Page S7182]]
Mr. GOODWIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 627) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 627
Whereas, on September 16, 1919, Congress issued to the
American Legion a Federal charter as a wartime veterans
service organization;
Whereas the American Legion remains active in communities
at the national, State, and local levels;
Whereas members of the American Legion (commonly referred
to as ``Legionnaires'') provide millions of hours of
volunteer service to medical facilities of the Department of
Veterans Affairs and State homes for veterans throughout the
United States;
Whereas the American Legion continues to sponsor activities
for children and youth, including the National Oratorical
Contest, Boy Scouts, American Legion Baseball, Boys State,
and Boys Nation;
Whereas the American Legion awards millions of dollars in
college scholarships to young men and women;
Whereas the American Legion National Emergency Fund
provides financial assistance to Legionnaires displaced by
natural disasters;
Whereas the American Legion Family Support Network provides
assistance to members of the Armed Forces of the United
States and their families;
Whereas the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation has
provided millions of dollars to programs focused on youth in
the United States, including the Special Olympics and the
Children's Miracle Network;
Whereas the American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance
provides grants to veterans with children experiencing
financial hardships;
Whereas the American Legion remains second to none in
steadfast support of strong national defense;
Whereas the American Legion supports maintaining a viable
and principled foreign relations agenda;
Whereas the American Legion is a staunch advocate for the
principal missions of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
Whereas the American Legion wrote the original draft of the
Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 284, chapter
268), commonly referred to as the ``G. I. Bill of Rights'';
Whereas the American Legion continues to support employment
programs and opportunities for veterans; and
Whereas Legionnaires believe that a veteran's service to
the United States continues long after the veteran is
honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United
States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate designates September 16, 2010, as
``The American Legion Day''.
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