Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" should be established.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 189) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' should be established.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H. Res. 189, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day be established.

H. Res. 189, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Linda Sanchez on February 16, 2007. H. Res. 189 was reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 12, 2007 by voice vote.

The Vietnam War was the longest military conflict in U.S. history. The hostilities in Vietnam claimed the lives of more than 58,000 Americans, and some 304,000 were wounded in combat. The Vietnam War was a military struggle fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1973. The patriotic men and women who served valiantly and faithfully in the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War were caught, upon their arrival and return home, in the crossfire of public debate about the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation to establish a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day to honor those members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The time for a Welcome Home Day is long overdue. I know every Member of this House and every American would want to come forward to welcome home these veterans who were not always welcomed home in the way we should always welcome home those who have served us in the Armed Forces regardless of our feelings on the particular conflict in which they came forward bravely to serve us all.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Linda Sanchez, for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleague in his remarks, and especially his remarks as to why didn't we think of this before. I want to assure Vietnam War veterans, it has nothing to do with their service. We have had a number of wars since and perhaps we have been somewhat preoccupied with war, but we will never forget this important and very sacrificial group of veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 189, a resolution that will honor the veterans of the Vietnam War in eastern Connecticut and across our country by calling for the establishment of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.''

As we know all too well, the Vietnam War was a painful and turbulent period in our Nation's history. Our military involvement there from 1965 to 1973 came at a time of great upheaval and change that divided our Nation. By the end of the war, more than 58,000 members of the Armed Forces had given the ultimate sacrifice. Much has rightfully been done to honor these lost heroes in the 30 years since the end of the war, including a breathtaking memorial not far away from this Capitol on our National Mall.

However, thousands of our troops came home after serving our country in Vietnam

only to be barraged by anti-war and anti-military sentiments rising from the deep and conflicting passions over our involvement in the conflict. As a result, thousands of young men who served our Nation were denied the welcome home they deserved--a painful memory that I hear about even today when I speak with Vietnam veterans.

Today, 30 years after they returned home, those dark days of war still haunt the veterans of Vietnam. Yet, I have been amazed by the strength and dignity of the Vietnam veterans community in eastern Connecticut. Since the end of the war, these proud men have been unmatched in taking care of their own and supporting one another. This past April, over 100 eastern Connecticut Vietnam veterans gathered once again in Norwich, CT for the 7th Annual Vietnam Veterans Day Commemorative Ceremony. I was proud to join them for the ceremony and to honor their service and sacrifice.

Regardless of what one thinks about our involvement in a military conflict, there is no doubt that any American who wears our Nation's uniform deserves a hero's welcome when they return home. That is why I am proud to support the resolution before us today, which expresses the sense of the House that there should be a day set aside every year on March 30 to honor the service of our Vietnam veterans by establishing a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.'' I sincerely hope that this simple resolution will provide our Vietnam veterans with the recognition they have so long deserved.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on March 30, 1973, American combat troops serving in Vietnam completed their service and returned home to the U.S. After 8 years of hard-fought battle and the loss of over 58,000 soldiers, we welcomed our servicemen and women home and wished them a safe return. Over 300,000 troops returned wounded during the war. House Res. 189 seeks to establish March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. It is an opportunity to recognize the heroic service of these many veterans.

For fear that Southeast Asia would fall into communism, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964, thereby giving powers to President Johnson to conduct military command in South Vietnam until peace and security had returned to the war-torn nation. One year later, U.S. combat troops were sent to the embattled country. By 1969, approximately 543,000 American troops were in Vietnam.

Thousands of Vietnam veterans participated in various festivities, parades and reunions every year.

We see them proudly wear their unit numbers, banners, T-shirts and hats covered with pins, sharing stories and updating each other on their lives. It is only fitting that we show our support for these brave men and women by expressing our gratitude for their courageous service.

Around 3 million people visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial each year. The wall and two accompanying sculptures offer an opportunity to learn about and appreciate the history of the war and its numerous casualties. It is appropriate to commemorate this significant piece of history by recognizing the day combat troops returned home from war as welcome home Vietnam Veterans' Day.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. Speaker, I just would again urge passage. I think this is a very thoughtful thing of our colleague from California to have initiated. Frankly, I wonder why we didn't think of it sooner.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 189, which puts the House on record in support of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran's Day.'' This resolution honors members of the United States Armed Forces who fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1975. In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in the District of Columbia to commemorate those members of the United States Armed Forces who died or were declared missing-in-action in Vietnam. March 30 would be an appropriate day to establish as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.

More than 3 million Americans served in Vietnam, and nearly 58,000 lost their lives there. From mountain peaks to tropical rainforest, American soldiers served in hostile country and fought a war for which they were not trained. It was a war of savage, small-unit fighting unlike any other in American history and in a stunning outcome, American soldiers won all of the major battles. About 58,148 men were killed, mostly between the ages of 20 and 29, but some as young as 16 years old. About 2.9 million men in total were involved in the fighting. The average soldier--infantryman--saw about 240 days of combat in 4 years, thanks to the mobility of the helicopter.

As an American, I am very proud of the courageous members of the United States Armed Forces who fought in this war, even though they were not sure of the purpose, to help stop what seemed to be the spreading of Communist beliefs and values. I am more than grateful to the men who gave so that we would be able to live as free as we do today. These men were brave, high spirited, and fearless. These men did something that most Americans never had to do. They risked life and limb in defense of their countrymen. They deserve to be honored for their efforts.

This resolution gives credit where credit is due. It will give Americans a chance to reflect on the men, women, and their stories that were short changed during this difficult time in our history.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly rise in support of H. Res. 189. I have a large number of Vietnam veterans in my district. Several years ago, I had a commemorative coin struck that I gave to the Vietnam veterans. I presented it and called it a long overdue welcome home event. There weren't too many dry eyes as the coins were presented. We need to remedy that, and certainly having a Welcome Home Vietnam Vets Day as this bill calls for is long overdue.

The one thing that I ask Vietnam vets to please always do is when our young men and women are returning today from battle, that they always help the community to welcome them back, because no one would like to be treated the way that many Vietnam vets were treated.

This is a great resolution, and it is long overdue. I certainly support finally having a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.