[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 294]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            GAINESVILLE, TX

 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today with tremendous 
pride for the city of Gainesville, Texas. This city deserves special 
recognition for being the first city to establish The Medal of Honor 
Host City Program. The purpose of this unique program is to recognize 
those legendary, humble heroes who, through great personal sacrifice, 
have preserved our freedoms. At the same time this program will pay 
tribute to the principles that the medal represents--Duty, Honor, and 
Country. To this end, it will provide Medal of Honor recipients a 
stipend to cover lodging, food, and fuel expenses while visiting the 
city of Gainesville.
  The local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1922, along with the 
leaders of the community, pioneered the project and have seen it 
through from idea to implementation. While designed to honor living 
recipients of the nation's highest decoration for military valor, it 
also was initiated with the intent of exposing the citizens of 
Gainesville to these role models of selfless service. When visiting the 
city, these men of uncommon valor will be invited to share their 
experiences with students, clubs, and local organizations. By providing 
youth the opportunity to hear, first-hand, these amazing tales of 
gallantry and the effect that these circumstances have had on the 
remainder of their lives, the principles of patriotism and duty will be 
propagated throughout the current generation and beyond. It also gives 
civic groups and classes an opportunity to thank them for everything 
that they have done for our country.
  This project has not only been formalized, but has already been put 
into action. The first two Medal of Honor recipients visited the city 
this past Veterans' Day and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society 
took the opportunity at its October annual reunion to announce the 
project to its members.
  Mr. President, while sacrifice, patriotism, and a sense of duty have 
been a foundation for our great nation for over 200 years, the events 
of the past five months have made it even more appropriate to recognize 
these heroes and provide them a singular opportunity to be the 
advocates of the price of our freedom. Mayor Kenneth Kaden is to be 
especially recognized for his leadership in advancing this unique 
project. I am humbly honored to recognize The Medal of Honor Host City 
Program, and I hope to see its success spawn similar programs 
throughout the Great State of Texas and the rest of the Nation.

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