[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 28722]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 70--REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES 
    POSTAL SERVICE ISSUE A COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP HONORING THE 
      NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES

  Ms. SNOWE submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs:

                            S. Con. Res. 70

       Whereas United States service personnel have fought, bled, 
     and died in every war, conflict, police action, and military 
     intervention in which the United States has engaged during 
     this century and throughout the Nation's history;
       Whereas throughout history, veterans service organizations 
     have ably represented the interests of veterans in Congress 
     and State legislatures across the Nation, and established 
     networks of trained service officers who, at no charge, have 
     helped millions of veterans and their families secure the 
     education, disability compensation, and health care benefits 
     they are rightfully entitled to receive as a result of the 
     military service performed by those veterans; and
       Whereas veterans service organizations have been deeply 
     involved in countless local community service projects and 
     have been constant reminders of the American ideals of duty, 
     honor, and national service: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress requests that--
       (1) the United States Postal Service issue a series of 
     commemorative postage stamps honoring the legacy and the 
     continuing contributions of veterans service organizations to 
     the United States; and
       (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee recommend to the 
     Postmaster General that such a series of commemorative 
     postage stamps be issued.

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
expressing the sense of Congress that a series of commemorative postage 
stamps should be issued honoring veterans service organizations across 
the United States.
  As we near Veterans Day--81 years after the Armistice was signed in 
France that silenced the guns and ended the carnage of World War I--
this legislation calls upon the United States Postal Service to issue a 
series of commemorative postage stamps honoring the legacy and the 
continuing contributions of veterans to our country. World War I was 
supposed to be ``the war to end all wars'' * * * the war that made the 
world safe for democracy. Sadly, that was not to be, and America has 
been repeatedly reminded that the defense of democracy is an on-going 
duty. That is why this is such an opportune moment to recognize those 
brave Americans who fought to defend the freedoms we cherish.
  Mr. President, when many of us think about war veterans, we think 
about the tremendous sacrifices these defenders of freedom made. From 
the War for Independence, through the Persian Gulf War, Bosnia, and 
Kosovo--more than two hundred years later--Americans have answered 
their country's call to duty to safeguard our freedoms. Of those who 
have worn our nation's uniform, more than a million never returned. 
They made the ultimate sacrifice so that those who followed could enjoy 
the blessings of liberty. The debt of gratitude we owe to our veterans 
can never be fully repaid. What we can and must do for our veterans is 
to keep alive the values of freedom and democracy they have defended, 
and honor them as the guardians of those ideals.
  Elmer Runyon once wrote that: ``We will remain the home of the free 
only as long as we are also the home of the brave''. Today, America and 
the world is basking in the shine of freedom because of yesterday's and 
today's service men and women--who offer nobly to sacrifice in war so 
that others may live in peace. These are America's true heroes.
  After all, winning freedom is not the same as keeping it. The cost of 
safeguarding freedom is high. It requires vigilance and sacrifice. Time 
and again when freedom has been threatened, American men and women have 
emerged as heroes.
  America's veterans have served our country and the world ably in 
times of need, and know well the personal sacrifices which the defense 
of freedom demands. It is a true honor to represent these brave 
Americans, as so many of them continue to make contributions day-in and 
day-out in our communities--through youth activities and scholarships 
programs, homeless assistance initiatives, efforts to reach out to 
fellow veterans in need, and national leadership on issues of 
importance to veterans and all Americans.
  I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who have served their 
country. This legislation is a tribute to the men and women and their 
families who have served this country with courage, honor and 
distinction. They answered the call to duty when their country needed 
them, and this is but a small token of our appreciation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in this show of support and an 
expression of appreciation to all veterans.

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