[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 31 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THANKING THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA FOR SUPPORTING THE VIETNAM 
                   VETERANS MEMORIAL EDUCATION CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2011

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, next week the Prime Minister of 
Australia, the Honorable Julia Gillard, will be in Washington, DC on a 
state visit. This will be Prime Minister Gillard's first visit to 
Washington since becoming Prime Minister in June of last year; and her 
visit will also mark the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Australia 
alliance.
  In addition to many other official meetings and ceremonies, Prime 
Minister Gillard will take time out of her schedule to present a $3 
million check from the Australian government to the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial Fund to help build the Education Center at the Vietnam 
Veterans Memorial. Regrettably, a last minute scheduling conflict is 
going to prevent me from attending this ceremony, but I want to extend 
my deep appreciation and thanks to the Prime Minister and the 
Australian people for this very generous contribution.
  Australia has always been a steadfast ally and partner to the United 
States. This contribution further underscores the deep ties of kinship 
and friendship between Australia and the United States.
  Many Americans tend to think of the Vietnam War as a solely American 
conflict. In reality the conflict involved troops from a number of 
nations, including Australia. Between 1962 and 1972 approximately 
60,000 Australian military personnel served in Vietnam. Australia's 
soldiers had a distinguished and remarkable record of service and 
courage in Vietnam where more than 500 were killed, and some 3,000 were 
wounded or disabled defending the South Vietnamese people from 
communist aggression.
  For Australia, as well as the United States, the Vietnam War was the 
longest major military conflict in which Australians have been 
involved. Completed in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 
Constitution Gardens adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial has become one of 
our Nation's more recognized and beloved memorials. Some 3 million 
visitors each year come to view The Wall and not only reflect upon 
those who suffered and died in Vietnam but how this nation let that 
generation of Americans down when they returned home.
  Ninety-one thousand eight hundred Hoosiers served in Vietnam and the 
names of the 1,530 who died in Vietnam are etched on The Wall. The 
Education Center, which will be built adjacent to the Wall, will help 
educate future generations of Americans by sharing the stories of these 
exceptional individuals from Indiana and across the America, who served 
their country with honor. By telling these stories visitors will 
hopefully understand the courage, sacrifice and devotion of those who 
fell, those who returned, and those who waited for their loved ones to 
come home. Along the way, visitors will also discover how the Memorial 
shaped the way Americans mourn, and the vital part The Wall played in 
helping to heal the bitter divisions that tore at our nation's heart 
and soul.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking Prime 
Minister Gillard for her leadership, her friendship and her dedication 
to helping us to ensure that the Education Center gets built so that 
the voice of the 58,000 plus names on the Wall and the millions of 
Americans--and thousands of Australians--who fought in the Vietnam War 
can be heard and remembered. And I also ask my colleagues to join me in 
extending my heartfelt appreciation to the people of Australia for 
their support and friendship.

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