Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of over 1.3 million veterans in Pennsylvania and to express my strong opposition to legislation which I consider an affront to the heroic service to our Nation.
As introduced, H.R. 62 would move Veterans' Day to election day in Presidential election years. The intended purpose of this legislation is to increase voter turnout by establishing election day as a national holiday in conjunction with Veterans' Day.
Although I agree action needs to be taken to help convince our Nation's citizens to take a more active role in the political process, this particular solution troubles me. I believe we need to take necessary steps to increase voter awareness and participation, but depriving our veterans of the day set aside historically to honor their sacrifice is not the way to do it.
By designating November 11 of each year as Veterans' Day, we give thanks and pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and gave their lives to preserve the freedoms we know today.
In 1918, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, the Treaty of Versailles was signed between the Allies and Central powers to end the fighting of World War I, the war to end all wars. In the years immediately following 1918, memorial gestures were made on that day worldwide. In 1926, Congress passed legislation to commemorate this date with, quote, ``thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through goodwill and mutual understanding between nations.''
In 1938, Congress officially designated November 11 as Armistice Day. It was a day to honor the bravery of our veterans and celebrate the cause of world peace.
In 1954, one of our greatest veterans, President Dwight Eisenhower, declared Armistice Day as Veterans' Day so that all Americans would, quote, ``solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly to preserve our heritage of freedom.''
Mr. Speaker, I give this brief history of Veterans' Day because it serves as proof that November 11 was not randomly selected as a day on which to honor veterans. Moving Veterans' Day, even if it is only once every 4 years, does a great disservice to our veterans and the freedoms for which they fought so hard to secure and defend.
Congress learned its lesson on moving Veterans' Day once already. In the 1970s, Congress moved Veterans' Day to the Monday closest to November 11 to allow for a 3-day holiday weekend. The movement of Veterans' Day was met with so much outrage that President Ford returned the observation of Veterans' Day to November 11.
Mr. Speaker, I have heard from countless individuals in my district that are outraged that legislation is once again pending before Congress to move Veterans' Day. These citizens, veterans and nonveterans alike, do not understand why their government wants to diminish the opportunity of this Nation to remember the sacrifices of our veterans. Veterans and the families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice certainly do not understand why Congress would even consider legislation that would lessen the tribute paid to our brave sons and daughters who have served in all branches of our armed services.
In my opinion, we should not diminish the observance of Veterans' Day. On the contrary, we should be promoting the reason we mark this day. There are over 26 million veterans in this country, including nearly a half million who are permanently disabled. The Veterans Administration estimates that we are losing approximately 1,100 veterans a day. It is extremely important that we not only remember their service but honor it as well.
The best way to do that is to pass meaningful legislation which will improve benefits and ensure that every veteran has access to the best health care possible. It is imperative that we demonstrate our commitment to those who served us with dedication and valor.
Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate that I stand ready and willing to work with my colleagues to find ways to get more of our citizens to the polls, not just in Presidential elections but in all elections.
However, we must not attempt to solve the problem of voter apathy by showing disrespect to our fellow citizens who have gone into harm's way on behalf of our great Nation. Our veterans have fought courageously to secure and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. Without the efforts of our heroic veterans, our citizens would not have the right to vote.
Our veterans have fought, and many have died, so we can live in a county with free and fair elections, a country where even in an election as close as the last Presidential contest, the winner is decided by the rule of law, and not with violence.
Mr. Speaker, our veterans have fearlessly put their lives on the line for [Page: H811] this country. This country can surely give them their own day of remembrance. Veterans' Day is and always should remain November 11. I for one pledge to do my utmost to preserve this day of recognition for our patriotic men and women of our armed services. END
