[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16611]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                A COMMANDING ROLE FOR JAMES N. GOLDSMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2001

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate an 
ally of veterans everywhere and my close friend, James N. Goldsmith, 
upon his election as Commander-in-Chief for the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars of the United States. It is with particular pride that I note that 
Commander Goldsmith is a resident of Lapeer, Michigan.
  Jim Goldsmith's election to head the VFW is a tribute to his many 
years of dutiful attention to the needs of veterans and the faith that 
his fellow veterans have placed in him for continued service and 
fidelity to their health and welfare. A decorated U.S. Army veteran who 
served in Vietnam, Jim has a deep and personal understanding of the 
obligation all citizens owe to the men and women who served this 
country during times of conflict on foreign soil and to those on active 
duty today.
  Upon returning from Vietnam in 1967, Jim joined VFW Post 5666 in 
Flushing, Michigan, and he's been fighting on behalf of veterans ever 
since. A Life Member of VFW Post 4139 in Lapeer, Jim has held many 
posts in the local, state and national organization and he has received 
numerous awards. In 1978, Jim was selected as Michigan's ``Young 
Veteran of the Year,'' and, in 1980, he became the first Vietnam 
veteran to win election as Department Junior Vice Commander.
  Jim has traveled the world to learn the concerns of active duty 
service members and reservists. Adhering to a soldier's code never to 
leave a buddy behind, Jim has remained committed to accounting for 
missing American service members. He has made two trips to Southeast 
Asia in efforts to recover the remains of those still missing. He also 
has been a strong advocate for addressing veterans' medical needs and 
has made diabetes research a top priority.
  Never willing to accept full credit for his good deeds, Jim points to 
each of the 2.7 million members of the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary as 
key to his efforts. He also singles out his sons, Jim and Jeff, for 
enabling him to serve their needs.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing gratitude 
to Commander-in-Chief Goldsmith for his valiant, enthusiastic and on-
going work for veterans. I am confident that Jim will continue to find 
new and better avenues to assist the men and women who have put their 
lives on the line in defense of our great Nation.

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