[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1059-E1060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2018

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the American 
Legion on its 100th anniversary and to welcome the 2018 national 
convention back to Minnesota where this venerable organization had its 
founding convention November 10-12, 1919. It is a special privilege to 
recognize the host of this historic gathering, the American Legion 
Department of Minnesota. Minnesotans are honored to welcome 
Legionnaires from across America. We are grateful for the many 
contributions the American Legion makes on behalf of all men and women 
who have worn the uniform through its 2.3 million members in 14,000 
posts in communities across the United States. We also welcome National 
Commander Denise Rohan, the first woman to serve as National Commander 
of the American Legion.
  Only steps away from where this year's convention is being held in 
Minneapolis, the American Legion was founded 100 years ago. The 
American Legion is a voice for those who served in the U.S. Armed 
Forces and to assist veterans who were disabled through their service. 
Since its founding, the American Legion has been a driving force 
expanding services provided by the Federal Government for our nation's 
veterans and their families, including creation of the forerunner to 
the modern-day Department of Veterans Affairs. As the American Legion's 
advocacy and vision continued, services for veterans improved. In 1922, 
the American Legion Department of Minnesota created the Minnesota 
American Legion Hospital Association to provide medical care to 
veterans and their dependents at little or no cost. This groundbreaking 
effort helped to build the extensive hospital and clinic system of the 
VA Health Care Administration.
  Since the founding of the American Legion, women have been vital to 
the successful advocacy efforts on behalf of veterans. One hundred 
years ago, a Legion women's auxiliary group began to form robust child-
welfare and hospital visitation programs. As a life member of the 
American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 39, North Saint Paul, Minnesota, I 
know firsthand

[[Page E1060]]

the many contributions that local auxiliary posts make to our veterans, 
our community, our state and our nation.
  From drafting the original document that would later become the first 
GI Bill to the ongoing ``We Believe Campaign'' highlighting the 
positive impacts that veterans make on their communities, the American 
Legion continues its essential work to support our veterans and their 
families for their service and sacrifices.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Commander Rohan and the 2.3 
million members of the American Legion as they meet to convene their 
100th national convention in the place where it all started, 
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

                          ____________________