RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND SERVICE OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PERSHING RIFLES; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 35
(Extensions of Remarks - February 26, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND SERVICE OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF
PERSHING RIFLES
______
HON. BILLY LONG
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the history, service
and accomplishments of the National Society of Pershing Rifles, whose
members and alumni will observe the organization's 125th Anniversary
during its national convention, March 14 through 16 in Kansas City,
Missouri.
In 1891, Second Lieutenant John J. Pershing, then a military
instructor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, selected a top-tier
group of cadets to ``promote the highest ideals of the military
profession,'' among other things, within the Nebraska cadet corps. In
1894, the group was named The Pershing Rifles, in honor of their
founder and mentor. Lieutenant Pershing would go on to become Commander
of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I, and remains
the only active duty American to be awarded the rank of General of the
Armies of the United States.
Since its humble beginnings, the Pershing Rifles have vastly
expanded, and now numbers more than 600 ROTC cadet and midshipman
members spread across more than 60 campuses nationwide. Now in its
125th year, members remain steadfast in their determination to carry on
the organization's original goal of promoting excellence in the
military arts.
The mission of the National Society of Pershing Rifles is to aid in
the development of successful officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force;
foster camaraderie and esprit de corps among all three Reserve
Officers' Training Corps programs; further the purposes, traditions,
and concepts of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine
Corps, and give civilians an opportunity to be part of a military
organization without formal commitment to the military.
Alumni of the Pershing Rifles have fought with valor and distinction
as military and naval officers in every American conflict since the
Spanish-American War. Distinguished alumni include former Secretary of
State Colin Powell, among many other notable American military,
political, professional, and cultural leaders.
Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise and recognize 125 years of
service to the nation since the formation of the Pershing Rifles.
Throughout their history, they have strived for excellence in all that
they do and have clearly lived up to the vision of their founder. I can
think of no tribute more fitting, to honor the living legacy of General
of the Armies John J. Pershing and his vision for military and civic
excellence.
____________________
