[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 591--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING 
   RAYMOND WEEKS AND HIS EFFORTS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS DAY

  Mr. SESSIONS (for himself and Mr. Shelby) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 591

       Whereas November 11, 2012, is the 65th anniversary of 
     National Veterans Day in Birmingham, Alabama;
       Whereas the National Veterans Day in Birmingham is the 
     longest running celebration of Veterans Day in the Nation;
       Whereas, on November 11, 1946, World War II veteran Raymond 
     Weeks presented General Eisenhower a program design proposing 
     to replace Armistice Day with a National Veterans Day in 
     1947;
       Whereas the very first Veterans Day celebration was held in 
     Birmingham by the National Veterans Day Organization in 1947;
       Whereas President Eisenhower signed into law on June 1, 
     1954, the Act proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day (Public 
     Law 380; 83rd Congress);
       Whereas in 1954, the National Veterans Day Volunteer 
     Organization, started by Raymond Weeks, expanded to organize 
     a multi-day celebration including, but not limited to, a 
     Veterans Day Parade, a World Peace Luncheon, and presentation 
     during the National Veterans Award Dinner of the National 
     Veterans Award;
       Whereas these three events have been held every year since 
     1954;
       Whereas the briefing for President Reagan by Elizabeth Dole 
     for the Presidential Citizens Medals cited Raymond Weeks as 
     the ``Father of Veterans Day'';
       Whereas President Reagan recognized Raymond Weeks as the 
     driving force behind Veterans Day while presenting Raymond 
     Weeks with the Presidential Citizens Medal on November 11, 
     1982;
       Whereas Raymond Weeks should be recognized for his push to 
     honor the great men and women who have served their country 
     with a special day of recognition; and
       Whereas Birmingham, Alabama, should be recognized for its 
     contributions to the institution of Veterans Day: Now, 
     therefore, be it
         Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes Birmingham, Alabama, as the home to the 
     first and longest running celebration of Veterans Day;
       (2) recognizes Raymond Weeks for his pioneering efforts in 
     the establishment of Veterans Day; and
       (3) honors the sacrifices of, and pays tribute to, the men 
     and women of the United States in uniform who risk life and 
     limb for their country at home and overseas.

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