[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19916]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         RECOGNIZING THE FIRST VETERANS DAY OF THE 21ST CENTURY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN E. SWEENEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2000

  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, today I express the sense that special 
recognition should be given to the observance of Veterans Day on 
November 11, 2000, the first Veterans Day of the 21st Century. As we 
enter this new millennium, it is important to preserve the memory of 
our Nation's veterans and to teach the next generations of their 
sacrifices. Our veterans are responsible for securing and preserving 
the freedom that all Americans now enjoy.
  This first Veterans Day of the 21st Century offers all Americans a 
special chance to recognize the contributions of our veterans in 
defending freedom and democracy. It is also an appropriate occasion to 
make a much greater effort to educate our country's children on the 
contributions of veterans in defending the freedoms the Nation enjoys 
so that the memory of those contributions will be preserved throughout 
the 21st Century. I believe children throughout the Nation would 
benefit from education that places greater emphasis on the Armed 
Services' role in shaping the history of the United States.
  It is extremely important for us to remember the more than 700,000 
brave Americans who sacrificed their lives while serving this nation so 
that America's children may continue to live in a country founded on 
the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy. Veterans Day also 
affords us the opportunity to thank the more than 25,000,000 veterans 
currently living in the United States. It is important for them to know 
that our country is grateful for their service.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the first Veterans Day of 
the 21st Century. Also, join me in thanking the veterans who sacrificed 
so much to protect our way of life.

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