[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19935-19937]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMENDING THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1287) commending the Honor Flight Network, its 
volunteers, and donors, for enabling World War II veterans to travel to 
our Nation's capital to see the World War II Memorial created in their 
honor.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1287

       Whereas in 2004, nearly 60 years after World War II ended, 
     veterans of that war and all those who supported the war 
     effort at home received recognition of their service, 
     sacrifice, and victory through the dedication of a national 
     World War II Memorial located on the National Mall in 
     Washington, District of Columbia;
       Whereas many veterans of World War II are now in their 80s 
     and 90s, and are unable, physically or financially, to visit 
     our Nation's capital to see the World War II Memorial for 
     themselves;
       Whereas Earl Morse of Ohio and Jeff Miller of North 
     Carolina created the Honor Flight Network to enable World War 
     II veterans to travel to the Memorial;
       Whereas now operating in communities in over 30 States, the 
     Honor Flight Network is a grassroots, nonprofit organization 
     that uses commercial and chartered flights to send veterans 
     on an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, District of 
     Columbia;
       Whereas the Honor Flights are staffed by volunteers and 
     funded by donations;
       Whereas former Senator Bob Dole, himself a wounded veteran 
     of World War II, led the fundraising campaign to build the 
     Memorial and often greets veterans arriving at the Memorial 
     through the Honor Flight Network;
       Whereas of the 16,000,000 veterans who served in World War 
     II, an estimated 2,500,000 are alive today and dying at a 
     rate of over 900 a day; and
       Whereas the Honor Flight Network is working against time to 
     thank America's World War II veterans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives expresses its 
     deepest appreciation to the Honor Flight Network, its 
     volunteers, and donors, who honor America's World War II 
     veterans with an opportunity to see the World War II Memorial 
     in Washington, District of Columbia.

  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. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to support House Resolution 1287, a 
resolution commending the Honor Flight

[[Page 19936]]

Network, its volunteers, its donors and friends for enabling World War 
II veterans to travel to our Nation's Capital to see the World War II 
Memorial created in their honor. It is a pleasure for me to stand 
before you today to pay tribute to the Honor Flight Network.
  This is a nonprofit organization that was created solely to honor 
America's World War II veterans for all their sacrifices by bringing 
them to Washington, DC without charging them a penny. The visit for 
them is to reflect at the World War II Memorial and visit with their 
fellow veterans.
  The memorial, as you all know, honors the 16 million veterans who 
served in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II, 
the more than 400,000 that made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of 
our Nation and the millions who supported the war effort at home.
  The memorial itself is a testament to the spirit, sacrifice and 
commitment of the American people to the common defense of our Nation 
and equally important to the broader causes of peace and freedom from 
tyranny throughout the world. Above all, the memorial stands as an 
important symbol of American national unity, a timeless reminder of the 
moral strength and awesome power that can flow when free people are 
united and bonded together in a common and just cause. I sincerely hope 
that every World War II veteran will eventually be able to experience 
this great memorial, which we specifically created in their honor.
  I am saddened, Madam Speaker, that not all veterans will be able to 
see this remarkable site. But, fortunately, the Honor Flight Network 
has made this dream a reality for many veterans by helping them see 
firsthand the memorial, an experience that certainly live with them and 
their families for the rest of their lives.
  This program was conceived by Earl Morse, a physician's assistant and 
retired Air Force captain, to honor the veterans he has taken care of 
for almost three decades. After retiring from the Air Force in 1998, 
Earl was hired by the Department of Veterans Affairs to work in a small 
clinic in Springfield, Ohio.
  In May of 2004, the World War II Memorial was finally completed and 
dedicated in Washington, DC, which quickly became the topic of 
discussion amongst his World War II veteran patients. Earl repeatedly 
asked these veterans if they would ever travel out to visit the 
memorial. Most felt that eventually somehow they would make it to D.C., 
perhaps with a friend or family member.
  As summer turned to fall and then winter, these same veterans 
returned to the clinic for their follow-up visits. Earl asked if they 
accomplished their dream of visiting the World War II Memorial.
  By now, for most of the veterans who were asked the question, reality 
had settled in. It was clear to most of them that it was simply not 
financially or physically possible for them to make the journey. Most 
of these heroes were in their eighties and lacked the physical and 
mental wherewithal to complete a trip of their own. Families and 
friends lacked the resources and time to complete a trip to D.C.
  Earl could tell that the majority of the veterans had given up all 
hope of ever visiting the memorial that was specifically created to 
honor them, their sacrifice and their service. That is when Earl 
decided that there had to be a way to get these heroes to D.C. to see 
this memorial.
  In December of 2004 Earl asked one of his World War II patients if he 
could personally fly him out to D.C. free of charge to visit the 
memorial. The patient, Mr. Loy, broke down and cried. He said at his 
age he would probably never get to see his memorial. He accepted the 
offer, and soon thereafter Earl received help from other pilots to make 
these hopes and dreams a reality for other veterans.
  At the end of the first year, Honor Flight took 137 World War II 
veterans to their memorial. The mission and ideals of the program began 
to spread across America. One individual, Jeff Miller, from 
Hendersonville, North Carolina, led the expansion into areas not 
serviced by direct commercial flights to the Washington, DC area, and 
HonorAir was born.
  In February of 2006, Earl and Jeff combined efforts and cofounded 
this Honor Flight Network. By the end of 2006, almost 1,000 World War 
II veterans realized their dream of visiting their memorial. The 
program presently has 69 hubs in 30 States, and by the end of this 
year, the Honor Flight Network hopes to have a hub in all 50 States.
  One veteran who was able to have this experience, Ed Vitikas, put it 
best. He said, ``It's the trip of a lifetime.'' In the future, Honor 
Flight plans on paying tribute to America's other heroes that served 
during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, followed by veterans of more 
current wars.
  Today, by passing House Resolution 1287, we express our gratitude and 
heartfelt thanks to an organization that has given so much to our 
veterans by commending the Honor Flight Network, its volunteers and 
donors, for enabling World War II veterans to travel to our Nation's 
Capital to so the World War II Memorial created in their honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank our colleagues, Jerry Moran from 
Kansas, David Hobson from Ohio and Heath Shuler from North Carolina, 
for submitting this resolution. I ask that all my colleagues from both 
sides of the aisle support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1287 would provide commendation to 
the Honor Flight Network, its volunteers and donors for enabling World 
War II veterans to travel to our Nation's Capital to see the World War 
II Memorial created in their honor.
  Honor Flight Network was initially conceived in 2004 by Earl Morse, a 
physician's assistant and retired Air Force captain, to simply honor 
veterans he has taken care of for the past 27 years. Its sole purpose 
was to fly veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials 
dedicated to honor their sacrifice.
  Today, Honor Flight Network has flown more than 800 World War II 
veterans to the memorial. It is a grassroots, nonprofit organization, 
and currently operates successfully in 30 States. My office has been 
involved in setting up three of these special honor flights for World 
War II veterans, and in June of 2007 I had the pleasure of partaking in 
one of these events myself.
  The Honor Flight Network relies on support from volunteers and the 
funding from donors. These individuals help us to honor our veterans in 
return for all they have sacrificed to make this a better world.
  Without the support of our volunteers, we would not be able to 
provide our heroes with the opportunity to fly to Washington, DC to see 
the memorial created in their honor. In reviewing the current 
legislative priorities for the Honor Flight Network, it is evident that 
their efforts have continued to supply support and recognition to World 
War II veterans through democracy.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1287.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and yield back the balance 
of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on House Resolution 1287.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  In conclusion, maybe as a segue to a bill we have in a couple 
minutes, this is a memorial to World War II veterans. For over 62 
years, the Filipinos, who were drafted to fight in World War II and 
helped us win the battle in the Pacific, have not been granted the 
rights and benefits of being veterans of our Nation. They played a very 
important role, slowing up the Japanese advance,

[[Page 19937]]

harassing them so that MacArthur could return, and continuing to help 
us fight the battle of the Pacific. We would not have won the battle in 
the Pacific as quickly as we did were it not for our Filipino World War 
II veterans.
  I just want to say for the record that I and millions of people 
around the country regard this World War II Memorial on the Mall as 
also commemorating the contributions of the Filipinos who fought by our 
side in World War II.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 1287--Commending the Honor Flight Network.
  The Honor Flight's mission is to provide an all expenses paid trip 
for WWII veterans to Washington, DC, to visit the memorial that has 
been dedicated to honor their service and their sacrifices for our 
country.
  Unfortunately, we are losing ``The Greatest Generation'' with every 
passing day, and many are not able to have the opportunity to visit the 
World War II monument, which memorializes the sacrifice made by so 
many.
  Thankfully, Honor Flight organizations from all over the Nation have 
taken it upon themselves to make sure WWII veterans who otherwise would 
be unable to make the trip to D.C., have an opportunity to do so.
  This amazing group, made up entirely of unpaid volunteers, raises 
money and donates time to ensure these veterans of World War II see not 
only the WWII monument, but also the changing of the guard at Arlington 
National Cemetery--all at no cost to the veteran.
  These honor flights take veterans to Washington from April through 
November each year, and provide flights, deluxe tour bus service, t-
shirts, scooters, wheelchairs, oxygen and meals--at a cost of $20,000 
per flight. Many people say they are grateful for the sacrifices of our 
Nation's veterans, but this group puts it that idea into action.
  In my home state of Michigan, over 414 veterans were flown to 
Washington, DC by Honor Flight of Michigan last year, and so far this 
year 346 veterans have been afforded the opportunity to see Washington, 
DC.
  I can think of no group more worthy of recognition than the Honor 
Flight Network. These fine Americans do great work, and I personally 
want to thank them for honoring our Nation's veterans--they have 
fought, bled, and sacrificed on our behalf and we owe them a debt that 
can never be repaid.
  However, I'm grateful to see Americans working together in 
partnership with business and the donations of hard working men and 
women can be applied to honoring the ``Greatest Generation'' of 
Americans.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 1287.
  Several of my colleagues and I have had the honor in recent years of 
joining former Senator Bob Dole to greet groups of World War II 
veterans arriving at the World War II Memorial for the first time 
through a grassroots, nonprofit organization called Honor Flight.
  I introduced House Resolution 1287 earlier this year to express our 
country's appreciation to the Honor Flight Network, its founders Earl 
Morse of Ohio and Jeff Miller of North Carolina, its volunteers and its 
donors across the country who make this moving experience possible for 
our Nation's World War II veterans. By introducing this resolution, I 
also seek to call attention to this worthy organization in the hope 
that more of my colleagues as well as those watching and reading at 
home will support Honor Flight in their communities.
  Many World War II veterans are in their 80s and 90s and are unable, 
physically or financially, to visit our Nation's capital and see the 
World War II Memorial, which is a beautiful tribute to their service, 
sacrifice and victory over 60 years ago. We are losing these veterans 
at a rate of 900 each day. Working against time to say ``thank you,'' 
Honor Flight uses chartered or commercial flights to enable World War 
II veterans to see the Memorial created in their honor.
  Today, we commend the Honor Flight Network, its volunteers and donors 
now operating in over 30 States who honor World War II veterans by 
making it possible for them to experience our Nation's gratitude for 
their service.
  Mr. FILNER. 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. 1287.
  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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