[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I come to the floor to recognize the 
accomplishments of an organization that has done great service to 
communities and veterans across the United States.
  This month marks 100 years since the American Legion received its 
charter from Congress and formally adopted its constitution. When it 
was established in Paris in March of 1919, the American Legion stated 
its aims, in part, ``to perpetuate the principles of justice, freedom, 
and democracy for which we have fought.''
  The accomplishments of the American Legion since that time are 
numerous and profound. They include successfully lobbying for the 
creation of what was then called the Veterans Bureau, which would later 
become the VA, the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  The American Legion also conducted pioneering research into PTSD and 
drafted the original GI bill that helped to educate so many World War 
II veterans after that war and gave a big boost to the expanding U.S. 
economy post-World War II.
  American Legion members complete 3.7 million hours of community 
service each year. I happen to be a member of the Sons of the American 
Legion. As part of that organization, I am blessed to have had the 
American Legion make a meaningful impact in my life.
  When I was a young high school student in Iowa, I was proud to 
participate in Boys State, where I learned the rights, privileges, and 
responsibilities of citizenship. The American Legion still does that 
every year in Iowa and I suppose in every State. Iowans are fortunate 
to have the enduring presence of the American Legion in our 
communities.
  This August, two Iowans were recognized nationally for their 
dedication to the American Legion. Bruce Feuerbach of Keystone was 
elected national vice commander of the American Legion, and Nicole 
Clapp of Gladbrook was elected national president of the American 
Legion Auxiliary.
  Many more accomplishments are sure to come from the American Legion's 
Iowa department. I congratulate the American Legion on its 100th year 
of service and thank all members for their dedication to Iowa and to 
our Nation.
  I want to point out that there was a Major General MacNider, Mason 
City, IA, who was the fourth national commander of the American Legion 
and probably one of those who was dedicated to establishing this 
organization early on.
  I yield the floor.

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