[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 29653-29654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 VETERANS CEREMONY AT JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL HONORING GOLD STAR MOTHERS 
                          OF VIETNAM VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 10, 1999

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a special event taking 
place in my congressional district this week. El Paso's Jefferson High 
School is commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the 
school. As part of this week long commemoration, the Jefferson High 
School Ex-Student's Association is honoring today, Jefferson High 
School veterans and their families. Specifically, they are taking 
special notice of the service and sacrifice of twelve Jefferson High 
School graduates from the class of 1967. These twelve individuals 
represent the largest number of students from one high school to have 
graduated in the same year who died in the Vietnam War. These young 
people were in the prime of their lives, and whose contribution to the 
world can never be fully measured. Who knows what lives these 
individuals would have led, contributions they could have made, or 
accomplishments they could have attained? However, their service to 
this country in the name of freedom, serves as an inspiration for their 
classmates, fellow El Pasoans, and citizens across this nation.
  The mothers of these veterans are El Paso Gold Star Mothers. They 
follow a long tradition, going back seventy years to the founding of 
the American Gold Star Mothers. The Gold Star Mothers got their name 
from the practice of mothers of veterans displaying a gold star in 
their homes, as a symbol of their children who died fighting. Congress 
officially recognized this organization in 1929, and the members of 
this organization provide service to veterans, their families and 
communities. They contribute to developing and keeping alive the spirit 
of world service, assist veterans and their dependents in presenting 
claims to the Veterans' Administration, perpetuate the memory of those 
who died during war, teach lessons of patriotism and love of country, 
and inspire respect for the flag in the youth of America.
  The Gold Star Mothers of El Paso remind us of the never-ending bond 
between families. They remind us of the sacrifice that families of 
veterans make as they endure the fears and concerns of having loved 
ones overseas, and the loss from loved ones who never return.
  As Veterans Day memorials take place this week throughout the nation, 
the Jefferson High School commemoration is a special event honoring the 
incredible sacrifice and service of one community. The twelve Vietnam 
Veteran classmates of 1967, are part of a larger number of Jefferson 
High School veterans who served and risked their lives for American 
values and ideals. These men and women reflect an El Paso community 
which maintains a long history of distinguished military service with 
the presence of Fort Bliss. Our community of veterans includes those 
from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf 
and other conflicts

[[Page 29654]]

where American troops have stood against totalitarianism and threats to 
our national security.
  The Jefferson High School ceremony also reminds us of our young men 
and women who are currently deployed around the world. These fine 
soldiers are our nation's first line of defense and they protect our 
interests and allies whether they are in Bosnia, the Middle East, 
Korea, or Europe. The incredible freedom we enjoy in these times of 
prosperity is a direct consequence of the service of these brave men 
and women and the veterans who preceded them throughout this century. 
We should be grateful for their commitment and dedication and never 
take for granted the high price they and their families pay to defend 
our liberty.
  On this the fiftieth anniversary of Jefferson High School, let us 
remember the duty, honor, and sacrifice made by the graduates of this 
school, by their families, and the community that supports and honors 
them.
  Veterans Day asks all Americans to take stock in this nation's 
incredible opportunities and freedoms, and urges us to always remember 
our courageous veterans.
  God bless these veterans and their families.

                          ____________________