[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6958]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY--SUPPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I wish to express my full support for a 
National Medal of Honor Day to be reserved every March 25th as called 
for by H. Con. Res 47.
  Reserving March 25th as National Medal of Honor Day, is a significant 
way to reemphasize the immeasurable sacrifices of veterans who have 
already been honored by receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, the 
highest military decoration. Too often, especially in times of peace, 
the sacrifices of veterans are not valued and remembered. It is 
particularly important to continuously acknowledge the blood, sweat, 
and tears they shed so that all Americans could live in a section of 
the world where freedom reigns. It has been quoted, ``Freedom is not 
free.'' We all know that is true.
  This measure would offer a good opportunity to educate young people 
about the importance to strive for excellence, the value of hard work, 
and the sacrifices of veterans.
  This is dear to me not only because I'm a veteran, but because very 
soon the Tuskegee Airmen will be presented with the Congressional Medal 
of Honor. I am extremely proud to say that I sponsored a bill that was 
passed by this great body and signed by the President to bestow this 
honor on them. The Tuskegee Airmen will go down in history for being a 
part of a select and distinguished group of African American veterans 
to receive this honor. I'm grateful for their service and to this body 
for acknowledging their bravery and heroism. At this time, I would also 
like to pay homage to all other veterans who have been in receipt of 
this highly esteemed award.
  While there are men and women on the battlefield as I speak, I urge 
my colleagues to take this opportunity to join me in supporting a 
National Medal of Honor Day, which will recognize past, present, and 
future outstanding veterans in receipt of the Congressional Medal of 
Honor.

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