[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28326]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF VETERANS' DAY 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 2003

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Veterans' Day. 
It is my honor to acknowledge the men and women who have fought in the 
Armed Forces to protect the United States from all enemies, foreign and 
domestic. Observed on November 11, each year, Veterans' Day is a 
national day of honor, respect, and remembrance of the sacrifice of the 
few to protect the freedoms of the many. So today I rise with pride for 
America's veterans, both past and present, and salute them for their 
service.
  The year was 1918. On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the 
eleventh month, the world was finally at peace after the bloody ending 
of WWI, the war to end all wars. Veterans' Day was first established as 
a national holiday on May 13, 1938, twenty years after the conclusion 
of the war, and was intended to honor those who fought in WWI. 
Originally called, ``Armistice Day,'' this holiday was intended to 
celebrate world peace and mutual understanding among nations. Congress 
proclaimed that all government buildings display the flag of the United 
States as well as observe the day in schools, churches, and all other 
areas of public and private services.
  Although Armistice Day was intended to honor only those who fought in 
WWI, the events of the next two decades quickly changed the sentiments 
of Americans. In 1954, after WWII claimed the most lives and machine 
power of any war in history, and following the conclusion of the Korean 
conflict, the 83rd Congress struck out the words ``Armistice'' and 
inserted ``Veterans'' in its stead. Thus, the national holiday observed 
on November 11th would no longer honor just those veterans of WWI, but 
all veterans of all wars and would hence be known as Veterans' Day.
  Later that same year, President Eisenhower instituted a Veterans' Day 
Committee, which would be chaired by the Administer of Veterans' 
Affairs. This new committee, headed by the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, 
would oversee all appointments and national planning around the 
holiday.
  The first major change to Veterans' Day came on June 28, 1968, when 
Congress passed the Uniforms Holiday bill. This bill sought to give the 
American people four, three-day holidays during the year. Those 
holidays included, George Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, 
Veterans' Day, and Columbus Day, were all rearranged and moved to 
different days. Most states refused to obey, however, and continued to 
recognize these holidays on their original days. The first Veterans' 
Day under this new law did not fall on November 11th as it previously 
had, but on October 25th.
  Realizing the importance of these holidays, especially Veterans' Day, 
President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-97 on September 20, 1975. 
This law reversed the Uniforms Holiday law and moved Veterans' Day back 
to its original date of November 11, starting in 1978.
  With the change back to November 11th, the history and honor of the 
holiday remains intact and the memory of those that fought and died in 
service of the United States in all-major conflicts is preserved 
forever. Regardless of the day, Veterans' Day continues to remain one 
of the most respected and honored holidays of the year and always 
inspires the nation to reflect. Today, there are many organizations 
that sponsor a year-round tribute to veterans, such as the American 
Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. On Veterans' Day, these groups 
raise money for charities in memory and honor of the wounded men and 
women who have returned from war.
  As we speak, the United States and indeed the world are again at war. 
The war on terrorism reaches all corners of the globe and is in no way 
uniquely American. The men and women who bravely fight for freedom in 
Iraq, Afghanistan, and all other countries where freedom is opposed, 
deserve equal praise as those who fought before them.
  Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, November 11, 2004, I, along with millions of 
fellow Americans, will proudly honor those men and women who have 
fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom. Our veterans made the 
ultimate sacrifice by placing themselves in harms way when they served 
our country to protect the liberty all humankind deserves. May God 
bless our veterans and may He continue to bless America.

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