[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 28525]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 264--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING 
                           VETERANS DAY 2003

  Mr. FRIST (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Specter, Mr. Graham of 
Florida, Mr. Bingaman, and Mr. Dorgan) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
       Whereas tens of millions of Americans have served in the 
     Armed Forces of the United States during the past century;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their 
     lives while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States 
     during the past century;
       Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and 
     women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United 
     States have been vital in maintaining our freedoms and way of 
     life;
       Whereas the more than 700,000 brave Americans who have 
     sacrificed their lives while serving in the Armed Forces of 
     the United States have ensured that the Nation, which is 
     founded on the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy, 
     shall endure;
       Whereas Armistice Day was first proclaimed by President 
     Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to commemorate the November 11, 1918, 
     armistice between the Allies and the Central Powers that 
     ended the fighting of World War I;
       Whereas on June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower 
     signed into law the Act proclaiming November 11 as Veterans 
     Day (Public Law 83-380);
       Whereas on October 8, 1954, in anticipation of the first 
     nationwide observance of Veterans Day in 1954, President 
     Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a presidential proclamation 
     regarding that Veterans Day which states that ``[o]n that day 
     let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who 
     fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign 
     shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us 
     reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring 
     peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain'';
       Whereas on November 10, 2003, President George W. Bush 
     issued a presidential proclamation regarding Veterans Day 
     2003 which states that ``[t]oday, our veterans inspire new 
     generations of Americans as we work to defeat terrorism and 
     advance peace. In respect for and recognition of the 
     contributions our service men and women have made to the 
     cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has 
     provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year 
     shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor 
     veterans'';
       Whereas in 2003 the Senate is in session on November 11 
     despite that date being a public holiday to honor veterans; 
     and
       Whereas it is proper that the Senate observe the day with 
     appropriate tributes and commemorations even as it conducts 
     the Nation's business: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate--
       (1) that the war dead of the Nation, and veterans of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States, alive or dead, are to be 
     honored for their contributions and sacrifices to preserve 
     the Nation and the principles of freedom, justice, and 
     democracy that all Americans hold dear; and
       (2) that Veterans Day 2003 shall be commemorated with 
     appropriate tributes to all veterans of the Armed Forces of 
     the United States for their contributions and sacrifices, and 
     most especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice; and
       (3) that all Americans shall be encouraged to join the 
     Senate in honoring and paying tribute to veterans of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States, both on Veterans Day and 
     throughout the year.

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