[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E739-E740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN LEGION

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                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2019

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor The American Legion 
upon its 100th Anniversary.
   In 1919, The American Legion was chartered by Congress and founded 
by veterans of

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World War I, who upon returning home noticed a lack of government 
assistance in assimilating back to their pre-service lives. Though they 
had experienced extreme suffering during the war, veterans received no 
disability compensation, comprehensive medical care, pensions for 
widows and orphans, or vocational training. As a result, The American 
Legion sought to create a self-help organization that would provide 
veterans with devoted care nationwide with Posts in local communities. 
The 28th Congressional District is proud to house Burbank Post 150, 
Glendale Post 127, Los Feliz Post 527, Hollywood Post 43, Sun Valley 
Post 520, Sunland-Tujunga Post 377, and Verdugo Hills Post 288.
   The American Legion's mission was founded on four principles: 
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Americanism, National Security, 
and Children and Youth, and these principles reflect the founders' 
vision for America, one in which military veterans are honored, 
respected, and prosperous. For 100 years, they have done just that as 
The American Legion has made great strides in strengthening veteran 
care in America. In 1923, results from a nationwide survey conducted by 
The American Legion shocked the nation, as they showed that many 
veterans from the Great War had given up hope and were homeless, 
suffering from PTSD, and were merely attempting to survive. As a 
result, the Veterans Bureau was created, and federal and state laws 
were enacted that provided greater care for veterans. One of the laws 
that The American Legion is credited for creating is the Servicemen's 
Readjustment Act of 1944, or the GI Bill, which provided benefits for 
servicemen returning from World War II.
   A lifeline to the veteran community, today The American Legion 
boasts over 2 million members and 13,000 posts nationwide. Some of the 
nationwide programs include The American Legion Baseball program, which 
is dedicated to mentoring the youth of America and Operation Comfort 
Warriors, which provides recovering wounded warriors with comfort items 
during their time in hospitals.
   I am proud to recognize The American Legion for a century of 
outstanding service to veterans and the United States. I ask all 
Members to join me in congratulating The American Legion for its 
remarkable achievements.

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