[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING AMERICA 250 AND THE DAUGHTERS OF THE UNION VETERANS OF THE 
                 CIVIL WAR BENCH DEDICATION IN WICHITA

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. RON ESTES

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2026

  Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, on June 6, the Daughters of the Union 
Veterans of the Civil War, Kansas Tent No. 6, dedicated a bench at the 
Dole VA Center in Wichita. I'm pleased today to recognize their efforts 
to honor the men and women who served our country and celebrate the 
United States' milestone on July 4 of this year.
  In less than a month, our nation will be celebrating the 250th 
anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we 
near this special occasion, it's fitting to remember that throughout 
our country's history, men and women have answered the call to serve--
to defend the very liberties that our Founding Fathers enshrined on 
that document 250 years ago.
  When the signers of the Declaration of Independence dipped their 
quill pens in ink and applied their signatures to parchment, they knew 
that it was not the ink that would bind our nation together for years 
to come, but the blood of patriots who would fight to gain independence 
from a foreign monarchy and who would continue to fight to maintain our 
freedoms for generations to come.
  The blessings of liberty we share today are only possible because of 
the men and women who donned the uniform for the past 250 years. We can 
celebrate our semiquincentennial because of the countless soldiers, 
Marines, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and guardians who are the 
reason our country still stands today.
  Kansas has long been at the forefront of defending the United States 
in the air, on land and at sea. We are proud to be home to notable 
heroes such as President Dwight Eisenhower, medal of Honor recipient 
Lieutenant Erwin Bleckley, and Senator Bob Dole, the namesake of the 
medical center that will be home to this new bench.
  Kansas sends our best to serve, and for their sacrifices today and 
over the last 250 years, we are eternally grateful.
  I want to thank the Kansans who have worked to establish a bench that 
honors our heroes and celebrates our Nation's 250th anniversary. This 
will not only serve as a great reminder of our Nation's history, but 
also encourage us to continue advancing the values we share as 
Americans, and to honor the men and women who make our 250 years 
possible.

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