[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  HONORING THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE MICHIGAN VIETNAM MONUMENT COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, the Michigan Vietnam Monument 
Commission (MVMC) was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1988 
to conceptualize, design, fund and build a fitting monument on a site 
donated by the state of Michigan near the Capitol in Lansing. The 
project has been a collaboration between the public and private sectors 
in honoring and celebrating the patriotism of the 2,654 Michigan 
citizens who served, suffered, died, were imprisoned or are missing 
because of America's longest war. Plans to build the monument began in 
July of 1988 and will culminate on November 11, 2001, Veterans Day, 
with a formal dedication.
  The volunteers who comprise the MVMC have raised more than half of 
the $3.4 million in project costs from private donations. The Michigan 
Legislature, in cooperation with Governor John Engler, appropriated 
$1.5 million in support of the monument. Other major contributors 
include several private businesses and labor unions.
  As a veteran and former Chairman of the Michigan Senate Labor, Human 
Resources and Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am thrilled that the 
families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country 
will have a monument to visit in memory of their loved ones. I look 
forward to participating in the dedication of the monument on Veterans 
Day which promises to be a fitting tribute to those who have served and 
are serving our great country.

                          ____________________