[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 23]
[Senate]
[Page 31966]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 
120 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 120) commemorating the 25th 
     anniversary of Vietnam Veterans of America.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 120) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 120

       Whereas the year 2003 marks the 25th anniversary of the 
     founding of Vietnam Veterans of America;
       Whereas the history of Vietnam Veterans of America is a 
     story of the United States' gradual recognition of the 
     tremendous sacrifices of its Vietnam-era veterans and their 
     families;
       Whereas Vietnam Veterans of America is dedicated to 
     advocating on behalf of its members;
       Whereas Vietnam Veterans of America raises public and 
     member awareness of critical issues affecting Vietnam-era 
     veterans and their families;
       Whereas the local grassroots efforts of Vietnam Veterans of 
     America chapters, such as Chapter One in Rutland, Vermont, 
     which was founded 23 years ago in April of 1980, have greatly 
     contributed to the quality of the lives of veterans in our 
     Nation's communities;
       Whereas Vietnam Veterans of America promotes its principles 
     through volunteerism, professional advocacy, and claims work; 
     and
       Whereas the future of Vietnam Veterans of America will rely 
     not only on its past accomplishments, but also on the future 
     accomplishments of its members, and these will ensure that 
     Vietnam Veterans of America remains a leader among veterans 
     advocacy organizations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates the 25th anniversary of the founding of 
     Vietnam Veterans of America, and commends it for its efforts 
     in the advancement of veterans rights, which set the standard 
     for all other veterans organizations around the country;
       (2) asks all Americans to join in the celebration of the 
     25th anniversary of Vietnam Veterans of America, and its 25 
     years of advocacy on behalf of Vietnam veterans; and
       (3) encourages Vietnam Veterans of America to continue to 
     represent and promote its goals in the veterans' community 
     and on Capitol Hill, and to continue to keep its national 
     membership--consisting of 45,000 members and 600 chapters--
     strong.

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