[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[House]
[Pages 29398-29400]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR DESIGNATION OF A NATIONAL VETERANS HISTORY 
                              PROJECT WEEK

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 770) expressing support for designation of a 
National Veterans History Project Week to encourage public 
participation in a nationwide project that collects and preserves the 
stories of the men and women who served our nation in times of war and 
conflict.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 770

       Whereas the Veterans History Project was established by a 
     unanimous vote of the United States Congress to collect and 
     preserve the wartime stories of American veterans;
       Whereas Congress charged the American Folklife Center at 
     the Library of Congress to undertake the Veterans History 
     Project and to engage the public in the creation of a 
     collection of oral histories that would be a lasting tribute 
     to individual veterans and an abundant resource for scholars;
       Whereas there are 17,000,000 wartime veterans in America 
     whose stories can educate people of all ages about important 
     moments and events in the history of the United States and 
     the world and provide instructive narratives that illuminate 
     the meanings of ``service'', ``sacrifice'', ``citizenship'', 
     and ``democracy'';
       Whereas the Veterans History Project relies on a corps of 
     volunteer interviewers, partner organizations, and an array 
     of civic minded institutions nationwide who interview 
     veterans according to the guidelines it provides;
       Whereas increasing public participation in the Veterans 
     History Project will increase the number of oral histories 
     that can be collected and preserved and increase the number 
     of veterans it so honors; and
       Whereas ``National Veterans Awareness Week'' commendably 
     preceded this resolution in the years 2005 and 2006: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes ``National Veterans Awareness Week'';
       (2) supports the designation of a ``National Veterans 
     History Project Week'';
       (3) calls on the people of the United States to interview 
     at least one veteran in their families or communities 
     according to guidelines provided by the Veterans History 
     Project; and
       (4) encourages local, State, and national organizations 
     along with Federal, State, city and county governmental 
     institutions to participate in support of the effort to 
     document, preserve, and honor the service of American wartime 
     veterans.


[[Page 29399]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the author of this legislation, the gentleman 
from Nevada (Mr. Porter), who will speak on his resolution in a few 
minutes.
  I want to point out that Abraham Lincoln, during his address at 
Gettysburg, said that ``the world will little note, nor long remember, 
what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' In that 
spirit, and to make sure that people will long remember what was done, 
Congress created the Veterans History Project in the year 2000 with 
unanimous support from this body.
  The Project directed the Library of Congress to establish a national 
archives for the collection and preservation of videotaped oral 
histories of our veterans, as well as the copying of letters written 
during their time of service and diaries they kept. So there is a 
national repository of this very important part of our Nation's 
history. This worthwhile investment of time and resources is a gift 
that can be given for generations and centuries to come. The goal of 
the project is to capture the personal stories of our Nation's heroes 
so our children and their children can more fully understand the 
history of this century.
  For a lot of reasons, we find that our Nation's heroes, when they 
come back from combat, do not even let their families know exactly what 
happened. They feel like they were just doing their job or don't want 
to bring up some memories, and so those stories will go with them to 
their grave. But with this project, we can tap into the stories of more 
than 24 million veterans who are still alive today, including 3 million 
from World War II, who are leaving us at the rate of more than 1,000 
per day.
  It is important that these stories are told, and more important that 
these stories are told from the mouths of those that were on the front 
lines and participated firsthand as history was made.
  This oral history project requires the cooperation of volunteers 
across the country to get not only the veterans to come forward to 
offer their stories, but also the family members and friends to capture 
their accounts.
  So, H. Res. 770 calls on the people of the United States to interview 
at least one veteran in their families or communities according to 
guidelines provided by the Veterans History Project. It also encourages 
local, State and national organizations to participate in support of 
the effort to document, preserve and honor the service of American 
wartime heroes.
  As chairman of the Veterans' Committee in the House of 
Representatives, I have had the opportunity and the honor to hear the 
many accounts from these veterans. I hear the sense of pride that comes 
along with the duty of defending this country. I know that my father 
served in World War II, but I never fully got the stories, I don't 
think, that he had in his memory, and I wish we had captured before he 
died.
  So, I encourage all Americans to reach out to their veterans, thank 
them and their families for their amazing sacrifice, learn more about 
their great contributions to our Nation, and gain the wisdom of their 
personal stories of our Nation's history. Each and every one of us 
should learn more about the American Folk Life Center at the Library of 
Congress because their staff is always glad to work with researchers 
and volunteers to expand their library of these stories.
  Volunteers and participants become historians themselves. They can 
collect audio and video recordings, create a collection of recordings 
to be available for public use, or collect written materials relevant 
to personal histories of war veterans.
  So, on this Veterans Day, let us, again, do more than just give 
speeches and ride in parades. Let's join and take the time to show the 
gratitude that we have to these veterans by asking them to relate their 
stories for the preservation of history.
  Mr. Speaker, I would reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I thought again I would just say that H. Res. 770, summarized, it 
says ``it encourages public participation in a nationwide project that 
collects and preserves the stories of the men and women who served our 
Nation in times of war and conflict.''
  This is very appropriate, and we're coming to Veterans Day. And I 
commend Jon Porter from Nevada for sponsoring this bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  In 2000, Congress unanimously voted to create the Veterans History 
Project as part of the American Folk Life Center at the Library of 
Congress. Since its creation, the Veterans History Project has 
collected thousands of veterans' accounts of their military 
experiences. My staff has actually gone down to my district with a tape 
recorder and was participating, recording these histories with our 
veterans. Each of these accounts is easily accessible on the history 
project's Web site and will be an invaluable source for future 
generations.
  While there are several ways to record a veteran's history, the most 
common form of record in this project is through oral interviews. That 
is what my staff did. They would stand at the town square, and we 
notified through the newspapers that these individuals could come in. 
They would come in, and through a tape recorded oral interview, we were 
able to do that. These oral interviews are conducted all across the 
country by volunteer interviewers. These narrations provide a firsthand 
account of the courageous and patriotic sacrifices of our Nation's 
veterans. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am happy that this resolution 
calls on all Americans to take time to interview at least one veteran 
in their family or their community; just a simple request. With over 17 
million wartime veterans living in the United States, we have our work 
cut out for us. And my colleagues, I think it's imperative that we 
increase participation in the program while members of these great 
generations are still among us. And we don't have long to do so.
  So, I want to thank Chairman Filner and the ranking member, Mr. 
Buyer, for bringing this important resolution to the floor. I urge all 
of my colleagues to support it.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I recognize the author of the bill, the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter), for 3 minutes.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 770, 
which recognizes the goals and ideals of National Veterans History 
Project Week. This resolution will help highlight the ongoing efforts 
of the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress to collect 
and to document the personal histories of our Nation's greatest heroes, 
our Nation's veterans. I can't imagine a better way to recognize these 
heroes. They are amongst us. They are in our families. They are in our 
neighborhoods. They need some encouragement, but I can't think of a 
better way.
  National Veterans History Project Week will focus the Nation's 
attention on the importance of veterans' history. The goal is to honor 
veterans and to ensure that their stories are available for future 
generations. We owe every freedom we have to the service and, of 
course, the sacrifice of America's veterans and their families. Their 
experience teaches us about the power of the human spirit and the 
realities of war. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that their history 
is honored and preserved.
  This resolution calls upon the people of the U.S. to interview at 
least one veteran from their families or their communities, following 
the guidelines set forth by the Veterans History Project, encourages 
local, State and national organizations, along with the Federal, State 
and local government institutions to document, to preserve and honor 
the service of American wartime veterans.

[[Page 29400]]

  I only wish my father, who passed away in 1995 and was a World War II 
veteran, had the opportunity to share his history and the past 
experiences that he had. As a matter of fact, my father was very 
cautious in even talking about his experiences in the war until the 
final weeks of his life. I truly only wish that he had had this 
opportunity to share with his grandchildren.
  The Veterans History Project relies on the efforts of volunteer 
interviewers from the veterans service organizations, libraries, 
historical societies, museums, retirement communities, professional 
associations, governmental agencies, universities, high school 
students, boy scouts, girl scouts, and families to contribute to its 
collection which currently has more than 50,000 individuals.
  Yes, veterans need some encouragement. They want to be asked. I and a 
number of individuals that we have interviewed and we have placed their 
history into the Congressional Record, many of them served our Nation's 
wars from World War II, Jack Mates, Martin Schlesinger, and Jack 
Watson. From the Korean War, Johnnie Phillips, from Vietnam, Johnny 
Kinder, Chuck Baker, and Stephen Long. From the Cold War, Al O'Donnell 
from Las Vegas. And from Iraq and Afghanistan, Henry Lujan.
  I am proud to be an original sponsor of this bipartisan resolution. 
While this issue is not and shall not be forgotten, we need to continue 
reminding our veterans that we need and we appreciate who they are and 
what they have done. I believe that preserving the histories of our 
Nation's veterans is of the utmost importance for us as Americans. This 
is an appropriate way to honor our veterans and the volunteers to seek 
and collect those wonderful stories of heroism.
  I would also like to thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Kind from 
Wisconsin, for his strong support.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, just a few words, and then I think we will 
yield back the balance of our time.
  The ranking member, Mr. Buyer, of the Veterans Committee also has 
recorded his experience when he was the United States captain in the 
Gulf War in this project. So I think it is appropriate to bring that to 
our colleagues' attention.
  I conclude about the bill, in addition to encouraging veterans, it 
encourages the local government, the State and national organizations, 
along with the Federal, State, city and county government institutions, 
to encourage, to participate in support of this effort to document, 
preserve, and honor the service of American wartime veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. 
Porter) for bringing us this resolution. As an historian myself who has 
worked with oral histories, I know how important it is professionally 
and, as he said, also personally. So I urge everyone to support this 
bill.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I also ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 770.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
770 which encourages the designation of a National Veterans History 
Project Week. This resolution encourages increased public participation 
in the Veterans History Project.
  As you may know, the Veterans History Project collects and saves the 
stories of America's veterans who have bravely served this country from 
World War I to today's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This project 
provides Americans an important way to honor our soldiers: by 
preserving the story of their service, in their own words, for the use 
and benefit of future generations.
  In 2000, I authored and Congress unanimously passed legislation 
creating the Veterans History Project. Since its beginning, the project 
has collected more than 50,000 stories and documents. In addition, the 
Veterans History Project was honored by Harvard University as one of 
the finalists for the Innovations in American Government Award 
competition in 2005.
  We must get the word out to all veterans about this important 
initiative. We have millions of wartime veterans and civilians in this 
country and their stories are a reminder to us all of the costs of the 
freedoms we so deeply cherish. Let this resolution also serve as a 
reminder to the distinguished members of this body that the decisions 
we make here in Washington have a far-reaching impact in the homes and 
communities all over this great country. We must support these brave 
men and women whom we send out to the front lines to fight for the 
freedoms we are privileged to enjoy.
  Since the beginning of our Nation, the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and 
marines of the armed forces have been called on to risk their lives and 
fight for the ideals that make America great. Regardless of what one 
thinks about the wars that they fought in, or the wisdom of our 
involvement, all Americans must agree that the men and women of our 
armed forces have responded to the call of their country and performed 
with honor and dignity. War veterans and the civilians who have 
supported them all across this Nation have stepped forward once again, 
this time answering the call of civic duty by recording their stories 
and contributing personal documents for the Veterans History Project. 
Their participation ensures that their accounts are recorded and 
preserved, becoming a part of this Nation's memory and history.
  The volume of materials already collected by the Veterans History 
Project is a testament to its success. I believe, however, we can do 
even better. By passing this resolution today, we can encourage more 
participation in this important program and ensure that this vital 
collection of American history continues to grow even further.
  Capturing the stories of our war veterans is more important now than 
ever before. Every day, America loses over 1,000 of our aging World War 
II veterans and with them, their firsthand accounts of that war. As our 
country faces new challenges and threats in foreign policy, we must not 
forget the events and lessons of World War II. That is why it is 
imperative that we capture the stories and personal histories of those 
veterans today before it is too late. The Veterans History Project is 
instrumental in accomplishing this important goal.
  I call upon all members of this body to publicize and promote the 
Veterans History Project in their own districts and communities. I 
cannot think of a better way to honor our veterans than by trying to 
preserve as many of their memories and stories as possible.
  I commend the gentleman from Nevada for introducing this resolution 
and I strongly urge my colleagues for their support.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 770.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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