August 16, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 136 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 136
(Extensions of Remarks - August 16, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1055] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. ANDRE CARSON of indiana in the house of representatives Friday, August 16, 2019 Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a resolution to support the goals and ideals of the American Legion on their 100th anniversary. The American Legion is our country's largest wartime veterans service organization and has advocated for a countless number of veterans, servicemembers, families, and communities. Federally chartered by Congress in 1919, the American Legion evolved from a group of war-hardened World War I veterans to one of the most influential nonprofit organizations in America today. The Legion is committed to mentoring youth, sponsoring beneficial programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continuing devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans. The nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization has given countless hours of service and produced millions of dollars in donations at local, state, and national levels. While American veterans have valiantly served to protect our country and interests around the world, the contributions from the Legion assist these veterans and their families during times of need and stand behind the issues most important to our nation's veterans. The Legion now has approximately 2 million members of the Armed Forces and veterans in its membership in over 13,000 posts worldwide. A gift from the people of Indiana, the National Headquarters of The American Legion is located in Indianapolis near the Indiana War Memorial Plaza. As the Representative for the 7th Congressional District of Indiana, I am proud to have such an important and meaningful organization, headquartered in Indianapolis, especially one that has done so much for the well-being of our country's veterans and communities. Among other notable members, three Hoosiers have served as National Commander of the American Legion. Paul V. McNutt, George N. Craig, and Frank I. Hamilton all served in the highest echelons of leaderships at the Legion as National Commander. Paul McNutt was an American diplomat and politician who served as the National Commander of the American Legion (1928 to 29), 34th Governor of Indiana (1933 to 37), high commissioner to the Philippines, administrator of the Federal Security Agency, and Chairman of the War Manpower Commission and ambassador to the Philippines. Craig was the 39th Governor of the State of Indiana from 1953 until 1957. A lawyer and veteran of World War II who was promoted to serve as a division command staff, Craig first gained popularity in the state as National Commander of The American Legion (1949 to 50). Craig served four years with the 80th U.S. Infantry Division in General George Patton's hard-hitting Third Army. He participated in all the bitter fighting of the Patton campaigns in northern France, in the Rhineland, in the Ardennes and in Germany. Through battlefield promotions he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Hamilton was born in Indianapolis, the home of American Legion National Headquarters, on January 6, 1923. He attended public schools, graduating from Wiley High School in Terre Haute; earned his BS degree from Indiana University, and received his LLB and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the Indiana University Law School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1942, and went on active duty later that same year. In 1945 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at the Infantry School in Ft. Benning, Georgia, and served with the U.S. Army of Occupation in Japan. He was separated from active service in 1946 but held his commission until 1953, when he resigned with the rank of First Lieutenant. Hamilton was a practicing attorney in his home community of Greensburg. He was a member of the Decatur County and Indiana State Bar Association. He served as chairman of the Indiana State Veterans Commission and as a member of the Governor's Economic Committee of the Ninth District of Indiana. Hamilton was extremely active in a number of civic, fraternal, professional and service organizations including: Past Exalted Ruler, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 475; President and Chairman of the Board of Lambda Corporation of Sigma Chi social fraternity; Chairman, Indiana University Varsity Club of Decatur County; President, Decatur County Bar Association, and Deacon of the Presbyterian Church. He held membership in many other social and fraternal organizations, including several Masonic Orders. Another notable figure in the Legion's history includes former Marine Corps Lieutenant General Carol Mutter. She is the first woman in the history of the United States Armed Forces to be appointed to a three- star grade. She retired from the Marine Corps on January 1, 1999, and her last active duty assignment was as Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC/S, M&RA) at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mutter currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and is a member of Legion Post 438. Finally, I applaud The American Legion for its more recent efforts in recognizing the military contribution of African-Americans and working to reflect that historical contribution in their leadership ranks. For example, Willie D. Ransom was appointed national sergeant-at-arms of The American Legion on August 30, 2018, at the 100th National Convention in Minneapolis. The sergeant-at-arms preserves the order at national meetings and performs such other duties as may be assigned by the National Executive Committee or national officers. A Vietnam-era veteran, Mr. Ransom retired from the U.S. Army as a master sergeant. Willie is a member of Maj. Charles A. Ransom American Legion Post 186 in Midlothian, Va. The post was named in honor of Willie's son, U.S. Air Force Maj. Charles A. Ransom, who was killed in action on April 27, 2011, while serving in Kabul, Afghanistan. Willie is a past department commander of Virginia and has also served as the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation chairman for the department. I recognize the organization and its members for their unrelenting dedication to improving the lives of servicemembers and veterans across the country. With the American Legion's success depending on active membership, participation, and volunteerism, I look forward to working alongside the organization to ensure another 100 years of excellence. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this resolution to recognize The American Legion on its 100th anniversary. ____________________