[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18388-18390]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE HISTORIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF VETERANS

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1622) honoring the historic contributions of 
veterans throughout all conflicts involving the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1622

       Whereas veterans of service in the United States Armed 
     Forces have served the Nation with honor and great 
     sacrifices;
       Whereas the people of the United States owe the security of 
     the Nation to those who defended it;
       Whereas United States veterans past and present have served 
     the Nation in times of peace and war at great personal 
     sacrifice for both themselves and their families;
       Whereas historic contributions include involvement in the 
     Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Eastern Indian Wars, Mexican 
     War, Civil War, Western Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, 
     World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict, 
     Lebanon crisis of 1958, Persian Gulf War, Operation Enduring 
     Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other conflicts;
       Whereas veterans have served the United States in hundreds 
     of deployments, large and small, responding to acts of 
     aggression against the United States and its allies, 
     protecting and evacuating civilians, bringing stability to 
     areas experiencing political turmoil, and providing comfort 
     and support in the wake of natural disasters;
       Whereas the service and sacrifice of generations of men and 
     women have shaped the history of the United States and 
     transformed its society;
       Whereas as civilians, veterans continue to provide a 
     valuable service by working and volunteering in their 
     communities across the Nation;
       Whereas on Veterans Day each year, the Nation honors those 
     who have defended democracy by serving in the Armed Forces;
       Whereas the observance of Veterans Day is an expression of 
     faith in democracy, faith in American values, and faith that 
     those who fight for freedom will defeat those whose cause is 
     unjust;
       Whereas section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code, 
     provides that ``Veterans day, November 11th'' is a legal 
     public holiday;
       Whereas we must honor and express the Nation's gratitude to 
     all veterans for their unwavering commitment to country, 
     justice, and democracy; and
       Whereas as the Nation reaffirms its obligation to provide 
     veterans and their families with the essential support they 
     were promised and have earned: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes and honors the courage, service, and 
     sacrifice of all veterans and their historic contributions to 
     the United States;
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to 
     demonstrate their support for Veterans Day each year by 
     treating that day as a special day of reflection;
       (3) encourages schools and teachers to educate students on 
     the historic contributions veterans have made to the country 
     and its history, both while serving as members of the United 
     States Armed Forces and after completing their service; and
       (4) requests that the President issue a proclamation each 
     year in connection with the observance of Veterans Day 
     calling on the people of the United States to recognize the 
     historic contribution of all veterans by observing that day 
     with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 
legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 1622.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, as we all know, Americans came together to 
honor Veterans Day and pay tribute to the over 23 million veterans that 
have served our Nation. We have a proud legacy of appreciation and 
commitment to the men and women who have worn the uniform and have made 
great sacrifices. We know that we owe the security of this Nation to 
those who defended it.

[[Page 18389]]

  This resolution before us encourages Americans to demonstrate their 
support for veterans also. No other group of Americans has stood 
stronger and braver for our democracy than our troops and our veterans.
  I firmly believe that Veterans Day should not be observed for just 
one day a year but that our Nation's heroes must be celebrated, 
honored, and remembered for their service to our Nation the whole year 
through. So I encourage all Americans to reach out to veterans, thank 
them and their families for their amazing sacrifice, learn more about 
their great contribution to our Nation, and gain the wisdom of their 
personal stories of this Nation's history.
  This year, like the last, our country observed Veterans Day while 
engaged in conflicts abroad that required the dedication of our 
uniformed troops. Our thoughts remain with those who are in uniform 
engaged in conflicts abroad.

                              {time}  2000

  We must be united in seeing that every soldier, sailor, airman, and 
marine is welcomed back with all the care and compassion that this 
grateful Nation can bestow. This democracy must stand together to 
support our veterans because our freedom and liberty depend on it. On 
Veterans Day and this whole year through, join me and take the time to 
show your gratitude to those who have answered the call to duty.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1622, a bill 
honoring the historic contributions of veterans throughout all 
conflicts involving the United States. All of our veterans have 
provided a great service to our country through their personal 
sacrifices. As a Nation, we owe them our gratitude for their service.
  Section 6103 of title 5 of the United States Code provides that 
Veterans Day, November 11, is a legal public holiday. House Resolution 
1622 reaffirms the Nation's obligation to support our veterans and 
their families.
  H.R. 1622 would resolve that the House of Representatives recognizes 
the honor, the courage, sacrifice, of all veterans, and their historic 
contributions to the United States. It encourages the people of the 
United States to demonstrate their support for Veterans Day each year 
by treating that day as a special day of reflection. It encourages 
schools and teachers to educate students on the historic contributions 
veterans have made to the country and its history, both while serving 
as members of the United States Armed Forces, and after completing 
their service, and requests that the President issue a proclamation 
each year in connection with the observance of Veterans Day, calling on 
the people of the United States to recognize the historic contribution 
of all veterans by observing that day with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities.
  However, I am saddened that the House of Representatives was unable 
to pass this worthy resolution before Veterans Day, November 11.
  Again I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1622, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I do want to again say that in our 
district and in many districts around the country it's not just 
Veterans Day, it's Veterans Week. We spend an entire week celebrating 
the service and sacrifice made by our veterans. During this past 2 
weeks ago we had Veterans Day during the entire week because many of us 
as Congressmen like to attend as many of these as we can. To show you 
the support, in one small community of Morristown, Tennessee, there 
were almost 6,000 people at an event for veterans. Our keynote speaker 
was General Livingston, who is a Medal of Honor winner, a Marine.
  I attended church the following Sunday with Arnold ``Bud'' Pate, who 
lost his arm in Vietnam, who is a Baptist pastor there. And on and on 
we see stories of these heroes who served our Nation. So I would 
encourage all of us to support this resolution.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of House 
Resolution 1622, legislation I introduced to honor the historic 
contributions of veterans throughout all conflicts involving the United 
States.
  Every Veterans Day, Americans come together to remember those who 
have served our country in the name of freedom and democracy.
  It's important that all Americans reflect on the sacrifices made by 
men and women in uniform from all conflicts involving the United 
States, from the Revolutionary War to current wars and conflicts.
  Regardless in time of peace or in the time of war--the service and 
sacrifice of generations of men and women shaped America's history and 
transformed our society.
  A great example of this courage is one of my constituents from 
Fontana, California--CPL Ernest Gonzalez, who received the bronze star 
for actions against Cambodian armed and hostile forces in 1970, 
including bravely exposing himself to enemy fire to retrieve his 
platoon leader.
  For most veterans, their contributions extend well beyond active 
duty, and include their service as valuable members of our communities.
  Another constituent of mine, Robert Allen Bartleman, from San 
Bernardino, California recently received military decorations for his 
courageous service as a combat Marine in Vietnam. He is now active in 
the legal community in my district.
  Pete Martinez, an Airborne Paratrooper during the Korean war, is 
currently active in the Inland Empire Airborne Association in my 
district. He continues to work on behalf of veterans and is a great 
asset to his community.
  After serving his country, Marine Col. John Kazalunas--formerly of 
the Rialto Unified School Board--went on to obtain his Ph.D. in 
Education to further contribute his talents and hard work in the field 
of education.
  John Weininger, a proud Marine and Army veteran, and formerly a 
member of my district staff, remains a dedicated supporter and true 
champion of veterans after his service to this country.
  Two additional veterans I'd like to mention are Mike Trujillo, a 
former member of my district staff and Jess Vizcaino, currently on my 
district staff. Both have been valuable assets to me by providing 
outstanding public service to the constituents of my district.
  Another dedicated veteran is Anthony Acevedo, a World War II veteran 
who was 1 of 300 captured American soldiers held prisoner at a Nazi 
slave labor camp.
  Through his courageous work as a medic, Mr. Acevedo kept a detailed 
diary of his imprisonment. Decades later he worked tirelessly to obtain 
the recognition of the U.S. Army for this group; his diary is now part 
of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
  This resolution: Urges all Americans to recognize and encourages 
schools to educate students about the historic contributions of all 
veterans; and makes a request to the President to issue a proclamation 
for Veterans Day.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 1622. As a Vietnam-
era veteran, I am committed to ensure America keeps its promises to our 
nation's troops and the 23 million plus American veterans.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today in 
support of H. Res. 1622, ``Honoring the historic contributions of 
veterans throughout all conflicts involving the United States.'' I 
would like to begin by thanking my colleague, Representative Baca, for 
introducing this resolution to the House, as honoring those who have 
fought for our Nation should remain a priority. I urge my colleagues to 
also support this resolution, which recognizes that our great Nation 
stands strong today because of the dedication and sacrifice of American 
veterans. The United States is surely indebted to the veterans of every 
conflict, who have made great sacrifices for themselves and their 
families in defense of our national security. Our freedom is 
intertwined with the sacrifices of our veterans, whose devotion to our 
way of life is unparalleled. I am privileged to officially honor their 
sacrifices and the role they play in our Nation.
  Every Veterans Day, Americans come together to remember those who 
have served our country around the world in the name of freedom and 
democracy. The debt that we owe to them is immeasurable. Their 
sacrifices and those of their families are freedom's foundation. 
Without the brave efforts of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines 
and Coast Guardsmen and their families, our country would not live so 
freely.
  This resolution not only solidifies the importance of Veterans Day, 
but also extends the importance of support for veterans throughout

[[Page 18390]]

the year. In observing Veterans Day, the people of the United States 
must also encourage the education of our youth on how those dedicated 
individuals have contributed to the United States history and today's 
society. We must continue the tradition of honoring those who have 
served for the greatest causes, freedom, democracy, and justice; their 
commitment to the United States at home and abroad should never be 
forgotten. I am truly proud to rise in support of the recognition of 
the courage, service, and sacrifice of all United States veterans.
  We recognize and honor the veterans of the Armed Forces not only of 
today, but also of years past, who have sacrificed their lives for our 
great Nation. House Resolution 1622 recognizes the historic 
contributions of the United States veterans in the involvement of the 
Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Eastern Indian Wars, Mexican War, Civil 
War, Western Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War 
II, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict, Lebanon crisis of 1958, Persian Gulf 
War, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, among other 
conflicts. This resolution reaffirms our country's utmost respect and 
pride for our service people who have contributed to the shaping of the 
United States' history and our current place in the world today. This 
resolution expresses our deepest gratitude to United States Armed 
Forces veterans throughout history who have committed and sacrificed 
their lives to serve their country and its dedication to democracy. 
Currently, our Nation has 3 million troops and reservists, and 23 
million veterans, who deserve the greatest respect from their fellow 
citizens. Our Nation has a proud legacy of appreciation and commitment 
to the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this 
country, and we must ensure that this legacy continues in the future.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I urge 
my colleagues to unanimously support House Resolution 1622, and yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Tonko). 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. 1622.
  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.

                          ____________________