[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WELCOME HOME VETERANS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUSTY JOHNSON

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2022

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and include in the Record a proclamation from the County Commission of 
Fall River County, South Dakota, designating March 29, 2022, as 
``Welcome Home Veterans Day.''

 A Proclamation Designating March 29, 2022, as ``Welcome Home Veterans 
                                 Day''

                   (By Fall River County Commission)

       Whereas, the Vietnam War was fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 
     1975, and involved North Vietnam and the Viet Cong in 
     conflict with the United States Armed Forces and South 
     Vietnam; and
       Whereas, the United States became involved in Vietnam 
     because policymakers in the United States believed that if 
     South Vietnam fell to a Communist government then Communism 
     would spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia; and
       Whereas, members of the United States Armed Forces began 
     serving in an advisory role in the South Vietnamese in 1961; 
     and
       Whereas, as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on 
     August 2, 1964, and August 4, 1964, Congress overwhelmingly 
     passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution on August 7, 1964, which 
     effectively handed over war-making powers to President 
     Johnson until such time as ``peace and security'' had 
     returned to Vietnam; and
       Whereas, in 1965, United States Armed Forces completed the 
     withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam; and
       Whereas, by the end of 1965, there were 80,000 United 
     States troops in Vietnam, and by 1969 a peak of approximately 
     543,000 troops was reached; and
       Whereas, on January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was 
     signed, which required the release of all United States 
     prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and the withdrawal of 
     all United States Armed Forces from South Vietnam; and
       Whereas, on March 29, 1973, the United States Armed Forces 
     completed the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces 
     from South Vietnam; and
       Whereas, more than 58,000 members of the United States 
     Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and more than 
     300,000 members of the Armed Forces were wounded; and
       Whereas, members of the United States Armed Forces, who 
     served bravely and faithfully for the United States during 
     the Vietnam War, were caught upon their return home in the 
     crossfire of public debate about the involvement of the 
     United States in the Vietnam War; and
       Whereas, it was also the first time in history America 
     failed to welcome its veterans back as heroes; and
       Whereas, the establishment of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam 
     Veterans Day'' would be an appropriate way to honor those 
     members of the United States Armed Forces who served in 
     Vietnam during the Vietnam War; and
       Whereas, Hot Springs, SD, in Fall River County is known as 
     the Veterans Town; and
       Now, therefore be it resolved that the Fall River County 
     Commissioners do hereby recognize March 29, 2022, as 
     ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.'' The Fall River County 
     Commissioners further honors and recognizes the contributions 
     of veterans of the Armed Forces who served in Vietnam.''

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