[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in recognition 
of the City of Gainesville, Texas, which has recently instituted the 
Medal of Honor Host City Program. This program, unique in the nation, 
will provide a stipend to cover lodging, food and some travel expenses 
to Medal of Honor recipients visiting the City of Gainesville.
  The Medal of Honor Host City Program seeks both to honor the 149 
living Medal of Honor recipients and to expose the citizens of 
Gainesville--especially its youth--to true American heroes. The local 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1922, and community leaders, 
initiated the project to help recognize these men of valor and to give 
the citizens of Gainesville the chance to hear, first-hand, their 
amazing stories.
  The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced the project to its 
members at its October annual reunion. Two Medal of Honor recipients 
visited Gainesville on Veterans Day.
  This program was organized before the tragedies of September 11, but 
in light of recent events, projects like the Gainesville Medal of Honor 
Host City Program highlight the sacrifice, patriotism and sense of duty 
that have been a foundation of our great nation. Our Medal of Honor 
recipients are living examples of those values and are the best 
messengers to tell the price of freedom. While in Gainesville, these 
extraordinary individuals will meet with school classes, speak to civic 
groups and others who would like to hear about their experiences. It 
gives the honorees a forum for their thoughts and gives Gainesville the 
chance to thank them for all that they have done for their country.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Mayor Kenneth Kaden for his leadership 
in promoting this project. It is an honor to recognize such a unique 
and special program--The Medal of Honor Host City Program--and I look 
forward to seeing it succeed in Gainesville.

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