[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 6 (Friday, January 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H172-H173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE DONUT DOLLIES OF THE VIETNAM CONFLICT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 627 brave civilian 
women who served as Donut Dollies for the Red Cross' Supplemental 
Recreational Activities Overseas Program during the Vietnam conflict 
between 1965 and 1972.
  The name Donut Dollies was coined during World War II to describe the 
Red Cross volunteers who passed out hot coffee and donuts from the 
backs of military vehicles. While the women who volunteered in Vietnam 
did so much more than hand out donuts and coffee, the name Donuts 
Dollies was applied to them.
  The young women of the Donut Dollies were stationed throughout 
Vietnam, from Saigon up to Quang Tri. They lived in tents and abandoned 
villas. They endured incoming fire, and they flew over enemy territory 
just like our military personnel.
  These brave women quickly became to be known as angels in a combat 
zone for their bright smiles and powder blue uniforms that lifted the 
spirits at every base they toured.
  The Donut Dollies hosted daily recreational events at large bases, 
such as pool tournaments, fashion shows, and various contests to 
provide fun and relaxation for off-duty military personnel. They helped 
serve food in chow lines, and they brought Kool-Aid to the night 
sentries working in perimeter towers.
  Others were assigned to the Clubmobile program, which toured more 
remote bases, often requiring helicopter transport to reach them. They 
would gather the troops, usually beside a bunker or tank, to play 
competitive audience participation games.
  For the hour or so that they were there, the Donut Dollies brought 
laughter and a sense of lightheartedness that was deeply missed in the 
war zone. Because death was so close, the laughter was healing, funny 
things were funnier, and their laughter helped join everyone together. 
One soldier once said it was the miracle of making the war disappear 
for a little while.
  The approximately 1,500 visits of the Clubmobile program logged over 
2.1 million air miles. Their primary goal on these visits and at the 
events at larger bases was to boost morale and to provide the men with 
a sense of home before going out in the field.
  Mr. Speaker, the contributions of the Donut Dollies represented a 
changing role of women to serve their country at a time when women had 
previously been limited to noncombat roles. Their patriotism helped 
bring warmth, light, and laughter to the darkness of wartime.
  My wife, Gina, and I are honored to recognize the women of the Donut 
Dollies and to thank them for their important and sacrificial 
contributions that they made for our country during the Vietnam 
conflict.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country, for our military men and women who protect us, and for our 
first responders who keep us safe at home.


    Honoring Chris and Peggy Osborne of Bryan-College Station, Texas

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 33 years 
of service and ministry of Chris and Peggy Osborne to Central Baptist 
Church and to the community of Bryan-College Station, Texas.
  Central Baptist Church was founded in 1925 as a mission-minded 
ministry dedicated to sharing a passion for God's Word. Today, Central 
Baptist Church has become an integral part of the Bryan-College Station 
community, where a strong sense of discipleship has led to the creation 
of many outreach programs, children's ministry events, and college 
ministry groups.

  Even as the church has grown, Central Baptist Church remains 
committed to their original mission-minded goals, and through the 
efforts of the congregation, thousands of people have found the joy, 
peace, and contentment that spring from a fulfilling and personal 
relationship with Jesus Christ.
  For the past 33 years, Pastor Chris and his wife, Peggy, have been a 
source of light and encouragement and joy for the entire Central 
Baptist Church community. Under the leadership of Pastor Chris, Central 
has seen significant change and growth. The relocation of its church to 
its current 3,500-seat worship center and the more recent addition to 
the children's wing have provided members of the Central Baptist family 
with ever-increasing opportunities for worship and community.
  Chris's commitment to outreach and involvement have made him a pillar 
of the Bryan-College Station community, serving as chaplain for the 
police department, hosting cook-offs and baking competitions, and 
participating in charity golf tournaments.
  Pastor Chris' dedication to service has not gone unnoticed, and 
hundreds of members of his congregation have experienced life change 
from his encouraging and supportive approach.
  On January 26, 2020, Central Baptist Church will say good-bye to 
Pastor Chris and to his wife, Peggy, as they begin the next chapter of 
their lives in Fort Worth, Texas, where Chris will continue to spread 
the Word of God as a professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological 
Seminary.
  As members of the Central Baptist Church congregation, my wife, Gina, 
and I have both grown in Christ because of the impact of the church 
under the leadership and friendship of Chris and Peggy.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and thank both Chris and Peggy 
for their down-to-earth and positive leadership of this congregation 
and for their impact of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over our Nation's 
Capitol to honor the lives and legacies of Chris and Peggy Osborne.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country, for our military men and women who protect us, and for our 
first responders who keep us safe at home.


Recognizing the 140th Anniversary of The Association of Former Students 
                        of Texas A&M University

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recent 140th 
anniversary of The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M 
University.
  The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now known as Texas 
A&M University, was founded as a land-grant college by the State of 
Texas in 1871, pursuant to the Morrill Act. The college was the first 
public institution of higher education in Texas and started classes on 
October 4, 1876.
  On June 26, 1879, with the Agricultural and Mechanical College of 
Texas still in its infancy, 11 former cadets hosted a reception in 
Houston, initiating the first formal organization of A&M former 
students. The persons at that meeting included:
  William Sleeper, class of 1879;
  William Trenckmann, class of 1878;
  Pinckey Downs, class of 1879;
  Edward Fitzhugh, class of 1879;
  Edward Cushing, class of 1880;
  George Hardy, class of 1879;
  David Alexander, class of 1879;
  William Small, class of 1882;
  Robert Chatham, class of 1877;
  William Brown, class of 1882; and
  Thomas Fuller, class of 1881.
  It was decided at that first meeting to endeavor to keep a record of 
all

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former cadets who attended the A&M College of Texas, thus promoting and 
maintaining fellowship. The Ex-Cadets Association was reorganized to 
form the Alumni Association in 1888.
  Developing throughout the years in tandem with the Alpha Phi 
Fraternity, which was founded in the 1890s and included former students 
who had not graduated, a coalition was formed in 1919 to formally 
reorganize and adopt the name The Association of Former Students.
  This name was written into the charter granted by the State of Texas 
in 1925. In this charter, the association committed to ``support of 
benevolent, charitable, and educational undertakings by extending 
financial and other aid to students at Texas A&M by promoting social, 
literary, and scientific pursuits; by perpetuating and strengthening 
the ties of affection and esteem formed in university or college days; 
by promoting the interests and welfare of Texas A&M University and 
education generally in the State of Texas.''
  Since its first day of class over 143 years ago, with six professors 
and 40 students, the university has grown to become one of the largest 
Tier 1 research and education institutions in the United States, with 
almost 70,000 students, thousands of faculty and staff, and close to a 
billion dollars of annual research activity.

                              {time}  1245

  Through its existence, the Association of Former Students has 
continued to grow rapidly. Today it serves more than 508,000 former 
students of Texas A&M University and generates an impact of almost $14 
million annually for university support through scholarships, student 
activities, and long-revered traditions, such as the Aggie Ring 
Program.
  As the university has grown and developed, the Aggie Network--as the 
organization is commonly referred to today--has evolved but has always 
maintained its core values and commitments to the university, its 
current students and its former students. Together, the association and 
the university collaborate to maintain six core values of: loyalty, 
integrity, excellence, leadership, selfless service, and respect. These 
are the core values that unite all Texas A&M students and by which all 
Aggies strive to live.
  As former chairman of the board of the Association of Former Students 
during 2007, I am honored and humbled to be able to recognize the 
accomplishments of the organization over the past 140 years. The Aggie 
Network is truly the glue that unites our current students, former 
students, and our responsibilities to live our core values every day.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the recent 140th anniversary of the 
Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, I applaud the 
organization's ongoing commitment to all Texas Aggies and to the core 
values of our beloved institution.
  I have requested that the United States flag be flown over our 
Nation's Capitol to honor the 140 years of legacy and the impact of the 
worldwide Aggie Network.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue to pray for our 
country, for our military men and women who keep us safe, and for our 
first responders who protect us at home.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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