[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19181]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


     HONORING THE JOHNSON-PHELPS VFW POST ON THEIR 80TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2015

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Johnson-Phelps 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5220 of Oak Lawn, Illinois, on its 80th 
anniversary. Through the work of its members, the Johnson-Phelps VFW 
has made a difference in the lives of countless people and has had a 
tremendous positive impact on the community. The post is an exemplary 
organization in the Third District and its members exemplify the 
unyielding bravery, courage, and perseverance of America's Armed 
Forces.
  In 1945 a group of veterans returning from the Second World War 
formed the post and named it for Mr. Raymond Johnson and Mr. Leslie 
Phelps, both killed in action during WWII. Mr. Johnson's and Mr. 
Phelps' names were chosen from a hat that included the names of all 23 
men from the Oak Lawn area that were killed in the war. The current 
post building was completed in 1951, built in large part by the post's 
own members. Johnson-Phelps later merged with six other posts in 
Southwest Chicagoland, the oldest of which was chartered in 1935.
  Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 is led today by Commander Richard 
Bukowski, Sr. Vice Commander Thomas Krone, and Jr. Vice Commander 
Bryant Reed. Their dedication to serving the community is shown through 
programs such as the well-known Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen 
Scholarship Competitions. They also provide for the public by hosting 
and sponsoring important events in the community such as Memorial Day 
and Veterans Day services.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
members of the Johnson-Phelps VFW Post of Oak Lawn, Illinois, for all 
they have done for our nation and the community over the past 80 years.

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