[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE WOOGMS MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

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                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2013

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the Wellington-Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society's 
Annual Memorial Day Parade, a patriotic tradition in Chicago's Lakeview 
neighborhood. This vibrant Chicago institution invites marchers of all 
ages to participate in Lakeview's only ``do-it-yourself'' parade, where 
everybody marches and nobody watches.
  In 1963, Chicago resident Al Weisman began this annual tradition 
along with his son, Tony, and a half dozen friends marching around the 
block with an American flag. Today, the WOOGMS parade is led by Tony 
Weisman and regularly attracts more than 1,000 marchers. It is a 
wonderful way Chicagoans celebrate freedom and remember those who have 
served our country.
  The WOOGMS parade's emphasis on inclusion and participation sets this 
wonderful event apart. Guided by Al Weisman's belief that children 
would rather participate in a parade than simply watch, the parade 
encourages Chicagoans of all ages to join in the parade and march; 
spectators are discouraged from sitting down and encouraged to 
participate. These annual parades attract parents, children and 
grandparents who are walking or riding strollers, bikes and wheelchairs 
down the parade route. Accompanied by the Jesse White Drum Corps, 
participants march towards St. Joseph's Hospital where they are greeted 
by welcoming volunteers.
  As a longtime Lakeview resident, I've had the privilege of joining 
the WOOGMS parade since 1983. As the event has grown, so have the 
participants. It's been heartening to see the children who marched 30 
years ago come back to join the WOOGMS parade with children of their 
own.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in recognizing the 
WOOGMS parade as one of Chicago's most unique events. Let us look 
forward to another 50 years of continued success for this patriotic 
tradition.

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