WASHINGTON (Sept. 15, 2009) - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution designating September 16, 2009 as "The American Legion Day." The measure, House Resolution 679, was sponsored by Rep. Debbie Halvorson, D-Ill., and passed this afternoon with wide bipartisan support. Halvorson praised the 90-year old veterans’ service organization, the largest in the nation, for its continuing work to aid wounded warriors and military families, for Legionnaires' legacy of community volunteerism and for the organization's significant role in establishing important national legislation. "On September 16, 1919, The American Legion was granted their federal charter by Congress, and 90 years later, they have kept their commitment to serve not only as a resource and a voice on behalf of veterans across America, but also as an organization dedicated to the betterment of America through community service," said Halvorson on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Since their founding charter, The American Legion has not wavered from the guiding principles and vision that can be found in their Four Pillars of Service."(House) Res. 670 helps to recognize this extraordinary organization, whose members not only fought to protect our country, but chose to continue to serve it long after their military service ended," Halvorson added.
A similar resolution, SJR 260 introduced by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, was passed in the Senate last week. Clarence E. Hill, the national commander of The American Legion, expressed great pleasure upon hearing of the resolution's passage. "We are honored and humbled that Congress is recognizing the contributions members of The American Legion have been making for this nation for nearly a century now. I am very grateful to all who supported the congressional resolutions and especially to Rep. Halvorson and Sen. Snowe for sponsoring the measures. I encourage all American Legion Posts to remind their communities why Sept. 16 has been designated ‘The American Legion Day.'" With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans’ affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
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