[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 136 (Friday, August 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE 
               AMERICAN LEGION ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 16, 2019

  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a 
resolution to support the goals and ideals of the American Legion on 
their 100th anniversary. The American Legion is our country's largest 
wartime veterans service organization and has advocated for a countless 
number of veterans, servicemembers, families, and communities.
  Federally chartered by Congress in 1919, the American Legion evolved 
from a group of war-hardened World War I veterans to one of the most 
influential nonprofit organizations in America today. The Legion is 
committed to mentoring youth, sponsoring beneficial programs in our 
communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national 
security, and continuing devotion to our fellow servicemembers and 
veterans.
  The nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization has given countless 
hours of service and produced millions of dollars in donations at 
local, state, and national levels. While American veterans have 
valiantly served to protect our country and interests around the world, 
the contributions from the Legion assist these veterans and their 
families during times of need and stand behind the issues most 
important to our nation's veterans.
  The Legion now has approximately 2 million members of the Armed 
Forces and veterans in its membership in over 13,000 posts worldwide. A 
gift from the people of Indiana, the National Headquarters of The 
American Legion is located in Indianapolis near the Indiana War 
Memorial Plaza. As the Representative for the 7th Congressional 
District of Indiana, I am proud to have such an important and 
meaningful organization, headquartered in Indianapolis, especially one 
that has done so much for the well-being of our country's veterans and 
communities.
  Among other notable members, three Hoosiers have served as National 
Commander of the American Legion. Paul V. McNutt, George N. Craig, and 
Frank I. Hamilton all served in the highest echelons of leaderships at 
the Legion as National Commander.
  Paul McNutt was an American diplomat and politician who served as the 
National Commander of the American Legion (1928 to 29), 34th Governor 
of Indiana (1933 to 37), high commissioner to the Philippines, 
administrator of the Federal Security Agency, and Chairman of the War 
Manpower Commission and ambassador to the Philippines.
  Craig was the 39th Governor of the State of Indiana from 1953 until 
1957. A lawyer and veteran of World War II who was promoted to serve as 
a division command staff, Craig first gained popularity in the state as 
National Commander of The American Legion (1949 to 50). Craig served 
four years with the 80th U.S. Infantry Division in General George 
Patton's hard-hitting Third Army. He participated in all the bitter 
fighting of the Patton campaigns in northern France, in the Rhineland, 
in the Ardennes and in Germany. Through battlefield promotions he 
reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
  Hamilton was born in Indianapolis, the home of American Legion 
National Headquarters, on January 6, 1923. He attended public schools, 
graduating from Wiley High School in Terre Haute; earned his BS degree 
from Indiana University, and received his LLB and Doctor of 
Jurisprudence degrees from the Indiana University Law School. He 
enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1942, and went on active duty 
later that same year. In 1945 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant 
at the Infantry School in Ft. Benning, Georgia, and served with the 
U.S. Army of Occupation in Japan. He was separated from active service 
in 1946 but held his commission until 1953, when he resigned with the 
rank of First Lieutenant.
  Hamilton was a practicing attorney in his home community of 
Greensburg. He was a member of the Decatur County and Indiana State Bar 
Association. He served as chairman of the Indiana State Veterans 
Commission and as a member of the Governor's Economic Committee of the 
Ninth District of Indiana. Hamilton was extremely active in a number of 
civic, fraternal, professional and service organizations including: 
Past Exalted Ruler, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 475; 
President and Chairman of the Board of Lambda Corporation of Sigma Chi 
social fraternity; Chairman, Indiana University Varsity Club of Decatur 
County; President, Decatur County Bar Association, and Deacon of the 
Presbyterian Church. He held membership in many other social and 
fraternal organizations, including several Masonic Orders.
  Another notable figure in the Legion's history includes former Marine 
Corps Lieutenant General Carol Mutter. She is the first woman in the 
history of the United States Armed Forces to be appointed to a three-
star grade. She retired from the Marine Corps on January 1, 1999, and 
her last active duty assignment was as Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower 
and Reserve Affairs (DC/S, M&RA) at Marine Corps Headquarters in 
Washington, D.C. Mutter currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and 
is a member of Legion Post 438.
  Finally, I applaud The American Legion for its more recent efforts in 
recognizing the military contribution of African-Americans and working 
to reflect that historical contribution in their leadership ranks. For 
example, Willie D. Ransom was appointed national sergeant-at-arms of 
The American Legion on August 30, 2018, at the 100th National 
Convention in Minneapolis. The sergeant-at-arms preserves the order at 
national meetings and performs such other duties as may be assigned by 
the National Executive Committee or national officers.
  A Vietnam-era veteran, Mr. Ransom retired from the U.S. Army as a 
master sergeant. Willie is a member of Maj. Charles A. Ransom American 
Legion Post 186 in Midlothian, Va. The post was named in honor of 
Willie's son, U.S. Air Force Maj. Charles A. Ransom, who was killed in 
action on April 27, 2011, while serving in Kabul, Afghanistan. Willie 
is a past department commander of Virginia and has also served as the 
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation chairman for the department.
  I recognize the organization and its members for their unrelenting 
dedication to improving the lives of servicemembers and veterans across 
the country. With the American Legion's success depending on active 
membership, participation, and volunteerism, I look forward to working 
alongside the organization to ensure another 100 years of excellence.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this resolution to 
recognize The American Legion on its 100th anniversary.

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