[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 21, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY'S WAR GARDENS

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                            HON. MARTHA ROBY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 2017

  Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Alabama State 
University upon its 100 year anniversary of planting war gardens to aid 
the United States efforts in World War I.
   One hundred years ago, students, staff, and faculty of the then 
State Normal School at Montgomery, subsequently Alabama State 
University, assisted and advised residents near campus and in the City 
of Montgomery, Alabama on how to plant war gardens. Thanks to these 
efforts, it was reported that in March 1918 over 1,400 black homes in 
Montgomery had war gardens.
   These gardens were important acts of sacrifice and rationing as 
commercially grown produce was shipped overseas to feed our troops and 
food-insecure Allies during The Great War or World War I.
   Next month, the ASU Department of History and Political Science and 
university community will plant a Memorial WWI War Garden in 
commemoration and in honor of what was done on our campus a century 
ago.
   The garden will represent the pride and commitment of ASU's campus 
to community and to country.
   It was originally on March 21, 1918 that Alabama Governor Charles 
Anderson declared ``Garden Days'' urging Alabamians to grow war 
gardens, and this day on March 21, 2017 I declare ``Garden Days'' in 
tribute to what was done in the Montgomery community.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor Alabama State University 
for its legacy of civil duty and service to both community and country.

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