[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 21786-21787]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        THE GREATEST GENERATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, we are a nation at war, a 
war the President has said may take years. He has asked for the 
Nation's patience and perseverance to deal with the perpetrators of 
terror and bring them to justice. A united nation stands prepared to 
make the necessary sacrifice and put up with the heightened security 
that disrupts our daily lives. It is an inconvenience that pales in 
comparison to the sacrifice of those brave Americans at the World Trade 
Center, the Pentagon, and the fields of Pennsylvania on September 11.
  For elder Americans, this is a second day of infamy that they have 
persevered through, the first being December 7, 1941. These Americans, 
that Tom Brokaw aptly describes as ``the greatest generation'' know all 
too well the meaning of sacrifice and resolve. No generation has 
shouldered more proudly this Nation's rise to world power. No 
generation has borne such a heavy burden. None stands more committed 
than they to stand with the Commander in Chief during this struggle. 
They know intuitively, as did the first President of their generation 
born in this century, that we must put Nation above self.
  With all the patriotic fervor and resolve, they stand committed today 
to face any challenge, conquer any foe and sustain a nation free of 
terror for their children. Proud veterans know that this is a match 
that cannot be postponed and comfort the young, in return, with the 
words of Roosevelt that ``We have nothing to fear but fear itself.'' 
They are in every sense of the word magnificent citizens and role 
models. They have given much and asked little in return.
  They hear all the platitudes and promises. They are celebrated in 
speech and in books and in the movies. But it is hard, hard to go home 
and look them in the eye and say there is

[[Page 21787]]

no prescription drug relief, to say we are exhausting the Social 
Security surplus not only to fight Osama bin Laden but to provide 
corporate tax cuts. It is hard to look them in the eye as they travel 
to Canada for prescription drugs while Congress rolls back the 
alternative minimum tax.
  Even amidst what must be hurtful to them, they never waiver. They 
stand by their Nation, their flag, their beliefs, prepared to sacrifice 
yet again for the Nation they love. Living out their lives in dignity 
is all they ask. Platitudes and promises do not heat their homes, put 
food on their table, or pay for the prescriptions needed to sustain 
their lives. Their generation believes you should be known by your 
deeds, not by the words that translate into empty promises.
  There will be numerous speeches given on Veterans Day exalting the 
brave men and women of our Nation. Wreaths will be placed at memorials 
and people will gather in solemn remembrance and in firm resolve. When 
Members are back in their districts for parades and speeches and 
memorials, they should take a long look in the eyes of those veterans. 
We stand on their shoulders, the benefactors of their sacrifice and 
accomplishments.
  They are prepared to see this second day of infamy through until 
justice is served. If only Congress would respond with the same resolve 
for them, the resolve to see their twilight years lived out in dignity, 
the resolve to provide them with affordable prescriptions here at home. 
If only Congress would show the willingness to sacrifice a corporate 
tax cut to preserve a life, to heat a home, to have a nutritious meal. 
If only Congress had the resolve to preserve Social Security and 
Medicare, the programs that have kept our elderly barely above the 
poverty line.
  This is an unprecedented opportunity. The Nation stands united behind 
the President and Congress to root out terrorism.

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