[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16815]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JAMES R. KIRBY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the James 
R. Kirby American Legion Post 50 of Clinton, Massachusetts for its 
generous contributions to the people of my district. The American 
Legion is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to advocate for our 
distinguished veterans and to also promote community involvement. This 
weekend, the James R. Kirby Post 50 will be celebrating its 90th year 
of service to the community.
  For the past 90 years, the James R. Kirby Legion Post has helped 
friends and neighbors in Clinton, MA in a variety of ways. Allow me to 
provide some background on the organization. James R. Kirby, for whom 
the post is named, was born on July 18th, 1876. He graduated from 
Clinton High School and joined the military soon afterward. He attended 
the College of the Holy Cross to pursue a career in medicine. He later 
attended Baltimore Medical College and began his own practice. Kirby 
was one of the first veterans of World War I from Clinton. He signed up 
for the Draft at the age of 42 and tragically died shortly after on 
September 29th, 1918 of influenza. In his memory, the citizens of 
Clinton chose to name the new American Legion Post 50 in Kirby's honor. 
Over the past 90 years, the current members of the Legion Post have 
continued to honor and serve veterans.
  The American Legion Post will celebrate its founding at an event 
being held on Saturday, June 27th, 2009. The goal of this event is to 
honor the contributions of the Legion Post and the veterans it has 
worked hard to represent over the past 90 years. The event will also 
serve as a day of enjoyment for the community it serves so well. 
Members of the Legion Post and their families as well as state and 
local representatives will pay tribute to the service of this American 
Legion Post to the community of Clinton over the past 90 years. The 
Legion Post's passion for serving the common good of the community 
through veteran's advocacy and community involvement continues to 
demonstrate the service that the James R. Kirby Legion Post 50 has 
provided for the past 90 years.
  Madam Speaker, I commend this group for its dedication to the Town of 
Clinton and the veteran community. I congratulate the Clinton James R. 
Kirby Post 50 for its 90 years of service, and I ask my colleagues to 
join me in paying tribute to its unyielding dedication to community 
involvement.

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