[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22111]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        THE AMERICAN LEGION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a service 
organization that has done as much for America's veterans as any other 
organization or group in our Nation's history, The American Legion.
  Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a resolution rightly 
honoring this organization, proclaiming September 16, ``The American 
Legion Day.''
  The American Legion was founded in 1919 and has proven a formidable 
organization in the support of veterans of our Armed Forces. I am a 
proud member of American Legion Post 161 in Redmond, Washington, and 
appreciate their steadfast and ongoing support of veterans and their 
families. At a national level, the Legion has been active in supporting 
veterans through work such as the crafting of the G.I. Bill of Rights, 
and across the country the Legion is involved and committed in their 
communities. ``Legionnaires'' are known for and exemplify the spirit of 
service and this spirit continues to drive their actions long after 
they take off their uniforms. They create benevolence funds, host 
barbeques and involve themselves in civic projects. Legionnaires 
believe in service. They are the voice of our veterans and advocates 
for our men and women in uniform. I am grateful for the organization's 
90 years of service and sacrifice to our country.
  General George Washington said in a letter to the Provincial 
Congress, ``When we assumed the soldier we did not lay aside the 
citizen,'' the American Legion exemplifies this attitude. In this body, 
we must continue supporting The American Legion and I urge Legionnaires 
to continue to reach out to lawmakers for our support.

                          ____________________