[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24551]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT VETERANS DAY CONTINUE 
                     TO BE OBSERVED ON NOVEMBER 11

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2001

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 298 
sponsored by Congressman Frelinghuysen that ensures November 11 remains 
a day solely committed to United States Veterans, a separate day from 
any other federal holiday, day for federal elections, or day for 
national observances.
  Veterans Day is a day of celebration, a day of remembrance, and a day 
of thanks. It is a day when we celebrate the challenges that our 
country has faced and the moments in America's history where we have 
united on land, air, and sea to fight for our country and to ensure 
security, happiness, and safety for our world's people. It is the one 
day a year when we remember the men and women who sacrificed their 
lives' for our country, its ideals, and its foundation of personal 
freedom. It is a day to remember the families of the victims who may 
have lost a son, daughter, husband or wife during times of war. And 
above all, it is a day of thanks for the 25.5 million veterans today 
who look towards the American flag with such feeling of pride, 
devotion, and American spirit and who define what it is to be an 
American.
  United States veterans truly are some of our nation's bravest 
citizens. They not only risked their own lives but sacrificed time away 
from their loved ones to protect our country. Because of their 
sacrifice this day of honor should remain solely theirs. Since November 
11, 1919, we have been acknowledging these men and women annually. It 
would be a tragedy if we try to combine their memorial with other days 
of observance.
  As Chairman of the VA/HUD Subcommittee for the past three years, I 
have had the privilege of working very closely with veterans and their 
various organizations. A day in their honor is the least we can do to 
acknowledge the pledge they have made to a grateful nation.

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