[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21440]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN LEGION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 10, 2009

  Mr. BERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to one of 
our Nation's largest and most successful veterans advocacy 
organizations, the American Legion. Since the Congressional charter was 
issued on September 16th, 1919, the American Legion has worked 
tirelessly to serve American veterans and communities across the 
nation. Arkansas has the honorable distinction of becoming the first 
American Legion Department in the United States to be incorporated.
  The American Legion was founded under four principles or pillars: The 
care for our veterans, the care for our children, a strong national 
defense, and the promotion of Americanism. Over the years, the American 
Legion has become a preeminent community-service organization, which 
includes more than 2.5 million members at over 14,000 American Legion 
posts worldwide.
  Every year, members of the American Legion donate thousands of hours 
of community service in veterans' medical facilities and homes to care 
for our nation's heroes. They remain committed to upholding the ideals 
of freedom and democracy, strive to improve the overall quality of life 
to our nation's servicemen and women, and tirelessly work to make a 
difference in the lives of fellow Americans.
  Today, on American Legion Day, we now have an opportunity each year 
to come together and celebrate the organization's long history and 
distinguished service to the community, state and nation. Millions of 
people who have been positively affected by the American Legion, as 
well as the American people are grateful for their efforts in serving 
our country. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, 
we thank you for your courage, your character, and your service to our 
country.

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