[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 32 (Friday, March 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AUSTRALIA HELPS BUILD THE EDUCATION CENTER AT THE VIETNAM VETERANS 
                                MEMORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 4, 2011

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, this Monday morning the Prime Minister 
of Australia, the Honorable Julia Gillard, will be participating in a 
ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to present a $3 million 
check from the government of the Commonwealth of Australia to the 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to help build the Education Center at 
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
  On behalf of my constituents, I hereby extend my sincere thanks and 
appreciation to Prime Minister Gillard and the Australian people. 
Throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, Australia 
has been a reliable and close ally and partner to our nation. The 
decision by the Australian government to make such a generous 
contribution to build the Education Center is a vivid reminder of the 
close ties that bind our two countries.
  The Vietnam War was a difficult time for both the United States and 
Australia. From 1962 to 1972, some 60,000 Australians served in 
Vietnam, during which time more than 500 Australians lost their lives 
and another 3,000 were wounded or otherwise injured. I am gratified 
that our close friend and ally, Australia, is joining Americans in 
helping to build the Education Center at the Wall.
  Of the 185,700 Ohioans who served in Vietnam, the names of the 3,095 
Ohioans who died during the war are etched on the Wall. For almost 
thirty years, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has served as a powerful 
and moving tribute to their sacrifice and the sacrifice of the more 
than 58,000 Americans who perished in the Vietnam War. I cannot 
overstate the importance of telling the stories of bravery and 
dedication behind the names etched on the Wall. That is exactly what 
the Education Center at the Wall will do. Not only will the Education 
Center tell the story of the Vietnam War, but it will also serve as a 
fulcrum of education and learning about the courage and patriotism of 
all of America's service members throughout the ages.
  I was so moved and gratified to learn of the Australian government's 
generous contribution to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. In a 
larger sense, Mr. Speaker, this is a gift from the Australian people to 
not just the Memorial Fund, but to all Americans.
  Thank you, Prime Minister Gillard, and many thanks to the Australian 
people.

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