[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23091-23092]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      HONORING AMERICA'S VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2001

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of two important 
resolutions the House is considering today, both honoring America's 
veterans.
  Since 1994, we have set aside December 7th of each year to remember 
the more than 3,600 soldiers, sailors, Marines, and civilians who were 
wounded or killed at Pearl Harbor. This year, however, on the 60th 
anniversary of that horrible attack, the occasion seems somehow more 
solemn. That attack awoke a sleeping giant, spurring the United States 
into World War II and reviving a sense of patriotic purpose in men, 
women, and children across the nation. The tragic events of September 
11th evoke an eerie parallel. Again, the sleeping giant has been 
aroused from slumber and patriotism reigns supreme in all corners of 
this great nation.
  S. Con. Res. 44 reminds us both of what we lost and what we gained on 
that infamous day sixty years ago. And, it is a reminder that we should 
hold in our hearts now as our brave servicemembers face our new enemy 
abroad.

[[Page 23092]]

  The veterans of Pearl Harbor--indeed, all our veterans--deserve 
special recognition for the sacrifices that they make on our behalf. 
And, it is for this reason that I also rise in support of H. Res. 293. 
Since 1918, November 11th has been a day to honor all those who served 
their nation in peace and in war. Now, some are suggesting that another 
grand American tradition, voting, share this day of remembrance. The 
right to vote and participate in our democracy is cherished by all--as 
it should be. But, we should not honor it at the cost of the respect we 
show our nation's veterans. Let Election Day stand as it does and let 
Veterans Day stand as it does. Let these be two separate days in which 
to participate in our democracy and honor those veterans who have 
secured the very freedoms exercised in that democracy.

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