Series 2558: Constituent Correspondence, 2000-2003
38726
From: <shows4congress@aol.com> To: Governor Musgrove Created: 10/16/2000 9:55 AM Subject: Congressman Shows Leads Floor Debate on WWII Memorial Message: Congressman Ronnie Shows Campaign Mississippi's 4th Congressional District Keeping America's Promise For Immediate Release October 16, 2000 Contact: Burns Strider Phone: 601-949-2703 Fax: 601-949-2709 Cell: 601-949-2703 Shows4congress@aol.com www.ronnieshows.org Congressman Ronnie Shows to Manage Floor Debate and Vote on WW II Memorial to be Constructed in Washington DC (Jackson) Congressman Ronnie Shows today announced that he will be one of two floor managers on a resolution "expressing the sense of Congress on the propriety and need for expeditious construction of the National World War II Memorial at the Rainbow Pool on the National Mall in the Nation's Capitol" on Tuesday, October 17th. This resolution will be debated and voted on beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m. (CST) in the Capitol, Washington, DC. C-Span will carry the proceedings live. Congressman Shows will open the debate with the following remarks: "Thank you Mr. Chairman. Today we are here to consider legislation that would expedite the construction of the National World War II Memorial at the Rainbow pool on the National Mall in the Nation's Capitol. During World War II, more than 16 million American men and women served in uniform in the Armed Forces, more than 400,000 of them gave their lives, and more than 670,000 of them were wounded. These Americans, like all of our veterans, knew the meaning of sacrifice, honor, duty, courage under fire, and yes, patriotism. They fought because they were asked to fight. They fought to keep America free and to extend freedom and democracy and liberty outside our nation's borders so that the future of Americans would not be threatened. They fought because they had the will to stand up to the forces that threaten and destroy freedom and democracy. They fought. And they made they ultimate sacrifice. We've seen the photo of the six American marines who raised the flag over Iwo Jima. I don't think there is a person alive who knows about World War II who can look at that photo and not have tears in his or her eyes. The setting was World War II and Iwo Jima was on Japanese home soil. The battle of Iwo Jima was considered vital to the war effort. Following an intense air campaign, this ground battle began. As I understand it, it was the largest marine force ever sent into battle. Casualties were high. It was a very bloody battle. But our marines did not give up their American spirit. The heroism shown by the men who fought that battle and who raised the flag at the end is an example of courage under fire. Those marines epitomized the American spirit. Just as the photo of the brave men at Iwo Jima is in every history book and on the minds of every American during Veterans and Memorial Day, the National World War II Memorial will serve as the same tribute and reminder of the sacrifices made by members of the Greatest Generation. My father was a Prisoner of War during World War II. He was captured during the Battle of the Budge. I grew up hearing the stories of those who survived and those who did not. My father is 76 years old. Many people who served in the armed services during WWII are the same age. My father was 70 years old in 1994 when Congress first approved the location of this memorial on the National Mall. We must begin construction now so that another 5 years won't pass by. I want people like my father to be able to enjoy the National World War II Memorial and tell their great grandchildren about it. Finally, I want to applaud the efforts of another great World War II Veteran-Senator Bob Dole. Senator Dole is one of the leaders in the effort to raise funding and bringing the importance of the construction of the National World War II Memorial to legislators and the public alike. He is to be commended for his efforts. Thank you." "On behalf of my father and the millions of men and women who have put their lives on the line to defend our democracy I am honored to lead the passage of this resolution," stated Congressman Shows. "We are a great nation because our people are great, we are a good nation because our people are good. Our veterans and military retirees stand out as heroes in a nation of the finest people on this planet. I am humbled to lead this effort." Each side of the aisle appoints a floor manager to pass key pieces of legislation. Congressman Shows will be joined by Congressman Bob Stump (AZ) as the other floor manager. Mr. Stump is Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee of which Congressman Shows is a member. The Senate has already agreed to this legislation. Earlier today Congressman Shows received the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC. Congressman Shows has also been endorsed by the Air Force Sergeants Association, and the National Association of Uniformed Services. Congressman Shows will receive another major military coalition endorsement later this week. Congressman Shows is the author of the "Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act," that has 306 cosponsors in the House including Congressman JC Watts of OK. Identical Senate legislation is cosponsored by Senator John McCain of AZ. On Wednesday, October 11, 2000 the House passed a major expansion of military health care for the nation's 1.3 million Medicare-eligible military retirees. The Senate has also passed the bill and the President has indicated his intentions to sign the bill. There are key portions in the bill of the Shows "Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act" such as allowing military retirees to remain in Tricare for life, (currently they are dropped at age 65 and have to depend solely on Medicare), and veterans and military retiree health care will become an entitlement instead of an annual appropriations. "Although relatively new in tenure, Congressman Shows presence has been extremely strong and influential," stated James D. Staton, Executive Director of the Air Force Sergeants Association. "Congressman Shows actions have marked him as a leader who cares about enlisted people of all of the Armed Force's components." --- ### --- VOTE NOVEMBER 7, 2000 Paid for by Friends of Ronnie Shows - Attachment Filename: C:\archives\governor\mail\Governor Musgrove\_attach\Congressman Shows Leads Floor Debate on WWII Memorial\Mime.822
Attachments
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