[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17134-17136]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            ESTABLISHING A WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 189) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' should be 
established.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 189

       Whereas the Vietnam War was fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 
     1975, and involved North Vietnam and the Viet Cong in 
     conflict with United States Armed Forces and South Vietnam;
       Whereas the United States became involved in Vietnam 
     because policy-makers in

[[Page 17135]]

     the United States believed that if South Vietnam fell to a 
     Communist government then Communism would spread throughout 
     the rest of Southeast Asia;
       Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces began 
     serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961;
       Whereas as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on 
     August 2 and 4, 1964, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Gulf 
     of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law 88-408), on August 7, 1964, 
     which effectively handed over war-making powers to President 
     Johnson until such time as ``peace and security'' had 
     returned to Vietnam;
       Whereas, in 1965, United States Armed Forces ground combat 
     units arrived in Vietnam;
       Whereas, by the end of 1965, there were 80,000 United 
     States troops in Vietnam, and by 1969 a peak of approximately 
     543,000 troops was reached;
       Whereas, on January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was 
     signed, which required the release of all United States 
     prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and the withdrawal of 
     all United States Armed Forces from South Vietnam;
       Whereas, on March 30, 1973, the United States Armed Forces 
     completed the withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam;
       Whereas more than 58,000 members of the United States Armed 
     Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and more than 300,000 
     members of the Armed Forces were wounded;
       Whereas, in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was 
     dedicated in the District of Columbia to commemorate those 
     members of the United States Armed Forces who died or were 
     declared missing-in-action in Vietnam;
       Whereas the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue 
     among the people of the United States;
       Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces who 
     served bravely and faithfully for the United States during 
     the Vietnam War were caught upon their return home in the 
     crossfire of public debate about the involvement of the 
     United States in the Vietnam War;
       Whereas the establishment of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam 
     Veterans Day'' would be an appropriate way to honor those 
     members of the United States Armed Forces who served in 
     Vietnam during the Vietnam War; and
       Whereas March 30 would be an appropriate day to establish 
     as ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'': Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved,  That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that there should be established a ``Welcome 
     Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' to honor those members of the 
     United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.


                             General Leave

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration 
of H. Res. 189, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives 
that a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day be established.
  H. Res. 189, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by 
Representative Linda Sanchez on February 16, 2007. H. Res. 189 was 
reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 
12, 2007 by voice vote.
  The Vietnam War was the longest military conflict in U.S. history. 
The hostilities in Vietnam claimed the lives of more than 58,000 
Americans, and some 304,000 were wounded in combat. The Vietnam War was 
a military struggle fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1973. The patriotic 
men and women who served valiantly and faithfully in the United States 
Armed Forces during the Vietnam War were caught, upon their arrival and 
return home, in the crossfire of public debate about the involvement of 
the United States in the Vietnam War.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation to establish a Welcome Home 
Vietnam Veterans Day to honor those members of the United States Armed 
Forces who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The time for a 
Welcome Home Day is long overdue. I know every Member of this House and 
every American would want to come forward to welcome home these 
veterans who were not always welcomed home in the way we should always 
welcome home those who have served us in the Armed Forces regardless of 
our feelings on the particular conflict in which they came forward 
bravely to serve us all.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Linda Sanchez, 
for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on March 30, 1973, American combat troops serving in 
Vietnam completed their service and returned home to the U.S. After 8 
years of hard-fought battle and the loss of over 58,000 soldiers, we 
welcomed our servicemen and women home and wished them a safe return. 
Over 300,000 troops returned wounded during the war. House Res. 189 
seeks to establish March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. It is 
an opportunity to recognize the heroic service of these many veterans.
  For fear that Southeast Asia would fall into communism, Congress 
passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964, thereby giving powers to 
President Johnson to conduct military command in South Vietnam until 
peace and security had returned to the war-torn nation. One year later, 
U.S. combat troops were sent to the embattled country. By 1969, 
approximately 543,000 American troops were in Vietnam.
  Thousands of Vietnam veterans participated in various festivities, 
parades and reunions every year.

                              {time}  1515

  We see them proudly wear their unit numbers, banners, T-shirts and 
hats covered with pins, sharing stories and updating each other on 
their lives. It is only fitting that we show our support for these 
brave men and women by expressing our gratitude for their courageous 
service.
  Around 3 million people visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial each 
year. The wall and two accompanying sculptures offer an opportunity to 
learn about and appreciate the history of the war and its numerous 
casualties. It is appropriate to commemorate this significant piece of 
history by recognizing the day combat troops returned home from war as 
welcome home Vietnam Veterans' Day.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I certainly rise in support of H. Res. 189. I have a 
large number of Vietnam veterans in my district. Several years ago, I 
had a commemorative coin struck that I gave to the Vietnam veterans. I 
presented it and called it a long overdue welcome home event. There 
weren't too many dry eyes as the coins were presented. We need to 
remedy that, and certainly having a Welcome Home Vietnam Vets Day as 
this bill calls for is long overdue.
  The one thing that I ask Vietnam vets to please always do is when our 
young men and women are returning today from battle, that they always 
help the community to welcome them back, because no one would like to 
be treated the way that many Vietnam vets were treated.
  This is a great resolution, and it is long overdue. I certainly 
support finally having a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I just would again urge passage. I think this 
is a very thoughtful thing of our colleague from California to have 
initiated. Frankly, I wonder why we didn't think of it sooner.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleague in his remarks, 
and especially his remarks as to why didn't we think of this before. I 
want to assure Vietnam War veterans, it has

[[Page 17136]]

nothing to do with their service. We have had a number of wars since 
and perhaps we have been somewhat preoccupied with war, but we will 
never forget this important and very sacrificial group of veterans.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
189, a resolution that will honor the veterans of the Vietnam War in 
eastern Connecticut and across our country by calling for the 
establishment of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.''
  As we know all too well, the Vietnam War was a painful and turbulent 
period in our Nation's history. Our military involvement there from 
1965 to 1973 came at a time of great upheaval and change that divided 
our Nation. By the end of the war, more than 58,000 members of the 
Armed Forces had given the ultimate sacrifice. Much has rightfully been 
done to honor these lost heroes in the 30 years since the end of the 
war, including a breathtaking memorial not far away from this Capitol 
on our National Mall.
  However, thousands of our troops came home after serving our country 
in Vietnam only to be barraged by anti-war and anti-military sentiments 
rising from the deep and conflicting passions over our involvement in 
the conflict. As a result, thousands of young men who served our Nation 
were denied the welcome home they deserved--a painful memory that I 
hear about even today when I speak with Vietnam veterans.
  Today, 30 years after they returned home, those dark days of war 
still haunt the veterans of Vietnam. Yet, I have been amazed by the 
strength and dignity of the Vietnam veterans community in eastern 
Connecticut. Since the end of the war, these proud men have been 
unmatched in taking care of their own and supporting one another. This 
past April, over 100 eastern Connecticut Vietnam veterans gathered once 
again in Norwich, CT for the 7th Annual Vietnam Veterans Day 
Commemorative Ceremony. I was proud to join them for the ceremony and 
to honor their service and sacrifice.
  Regardless of what one thinks about our involvement in a military 
conflict, there is no doubt that any American who wears our Nation's 
uniform deserves a hero's welcome when they return home. That is why I 
am proud to support the resolution before us today, which expresses the 
sense of the House that there should be a day set aside every year on 
March 30 to honor the service of our Vietnam veterans by establishing a 
``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.'' I sincerely hope that this 
simple resolution will provide our Vietnam veterans with the 
recognition they have so long deserved.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 189, which puts the House on record in support of a ``Welcome Home 
Vietnam Veteran's Day.'' This resolution honors members of the United 
States Armed Forces who fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1975. In 1982, 
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in the District of Columbia 
to commemorate those members of the United States Armed Forces who died 
or were declared missing-in-action in Vietnam. March 30 would be an 
appropriate day to establish as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
  More than 3 million Americans served in Vietnam, and nearly 58,000 
lost their lives there. From mountain peaks to tropical rainforest, 
American soldiers served in hostile country and fought a war for which 
they were not trained. It was a war of savage, small-unit fighting 
unlike any other in American history and in a stunning outcome, 
American soldiers won all of the major battles. About 58,148 men were 
killed, mostly between the ages of 20 and 29, but some as young as 16 
years old. About 2.9 million men in total were involved in the 
fighting. The average soldier--infantryman--saw about 240 days of 
combat in 4 years, thanks to the mobility of the helicopter.
  As an American, I am very proud of the courageous members of the 
United States Armed Forces who fought in this war, even though they 
were not sure of the purpose, to help stop what seemed to be the 
spreading of Communist beliefs and values. I am more than grateful to 
the men who gave so that we would be able to live as free as we do 
today. These men were brave, high spirited, and fearless. These men did 
something that most Americans never had to do. They risked life and 
limb in defense of their countrymen. They deserve to be honored for 
their efforts.
  This resolution gives credit where credit is due. It will give 
Americans a chance to reflect on the men, women, and their stories that 
were short changed during this difficult time in our history.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 189.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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