[House Report 108-196]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
108th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 108-196
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DECLARING EMPORIA, KANSAS, TO BE THE FOUNDING CITY OF THE VETERANS DAY
HOLIDAY AND RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALVIN J. KING AND
REPRESENTATIVE ED REES TO THE ENACTMENT INTO LAW OF THE OBSERVANCE OF
VETERANS DAY
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July 10, 2003.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed.
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Mr. Smith of New Jersey, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Con. Res. 159]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 159) declaring Emporia,
Kansas, to be the founding city of the Veterans Day holiday and
recognizing the contributions of Alvin J. King and
Representative Ed Rees to the enactment into law of the
observance of Veterans Day, having considered the same, reports
favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the
concurrent resolution be agreed to.
Purpose of the Resolution
The purpose of House Concurrent Resolution 159 is to
declare Emporia, Kansas, to be the founding city of the
Veterans Day holiday and bestow formal recognition on the
contributions made by Alvin J. King (1902-1960) and Honorable
Edward H. Rees (1886-1969) to the enactment into law of the
observance of Veterans Day.
Background and Need for the Resolution
This resolution would encourage Americans to demonstrate
their support for veterans on Veterans Day by proclaiming that
day as a special day of national remembrance. In addition, the
resolution would declare Alvin J. King of Emporia to be the
founder of Veterans Day, and the city of Emporia to be the
founding city of Veterans Day. This Resolution would also
acknowledge the contribution of Honorable Edward H. Rees of
Emporia, Kansas, (who served the Fourth District of Kansas for
24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives) in establishing
Veterans Day as a national holiday.
Alvin J. King's abiding respect for veterans is attributed
to the loss of his nephew, John Cooper, who was killed in
action in Belgium during World War II. John Cooper was a member
of Rifle Company B, 137th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army.
Mr. King remained devoted to the war effort at home by serving
as the Veterans Security Chairman for the American War Dads.
In 1953, Mr. King proposed that Armistice Day be changed to
Veterans Day to recognize and honor veterans from all wars and
conflicts since, at that time, Armistice Day existed to honor
only veterans of World War I. The community of Emporia, Kansas,
under the direction of Alvin J. King celebrated its first All
Veterans Day on November 11, 1953.
After that first celebration, Honorable Edward H. Rees
introduced H.R. 7786, a bill to change Armistice Day to
Veterans Day and to establish its celebration on November 11 of
each year. The House and Senate passed H.R. 7786, and with
President Dwight D. Eisenhower's signature, the bill became
Public Law 380 on June 1, 1954.
Before the nation's first celebration of Veterans Day on
November 11, 1954, President Eisenhower issued the following
proclamation on October 8, 1954: ``On that day let us solemnly
remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly,
on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our
heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the
task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall
not have been in vain.'' Thus with the enactment of H.R. 7786,
Mr. King's dream to honor veterans of all conflicts was
fulfilled.
The Committee believes this resolution would serve to
appropriately recognize the origin of Veterans Day.
Committee Action
On May 1, 2003, Honorable Jerry Moran of Kansas introduced
H. Con. Res. 159, declaring Emporia, Kansas, to be the founding
city of the Veterans Day holiday. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
On June 26, 2003, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
markup on the concurrent resolution. The Committee ordered H.
Con. Res. 159 reported favorably to the House by unanimous
voice vote.
Statement of Constitutional Authority
Article I, section 8 and Article IV, section 3 of the
United States Constitution grant Congress the authority to
enact this bill.
Compliance with House Rule XIII
1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this bill. H. Con. Res. 159 would
merely acknowledge Emporia, Kansas, as the founding city of the
Veterans Day holiday and no cost would be involved.
2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2)
of rule XIII of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives
and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974,
this bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. This bill does
not authorize funding and therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives does not
apply.
4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. The Committee
has determined that H. Con Res. 159 entails no cost to the
federal government and therefore, no cost estimate was
requested from the Congressional Budget Office.
Compliance with Public Law 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.
Changes in Existing Law
If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing
law.