Washington, D.C. – Thirty-five years after the last American forces left Vietnam, legislation
calling on all Americans to recognize a Vietnam Veterans Day passed the House of
Representatives yesterday by a unanimous voice vote.
House Resolution 1231, introduced by Representative Heath Shuler, calls on the
American people to recognize March 29th as Vietnam Veterans Day. The resolution calls
on all Americans to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives, remember those who
are still missing in action, honor those who were prisoners of war, and acknowledge all
members of the Armed Forces throughout the Vietnam War for their service protecting
our nation. It also acknowledges that the House of Representatives supports the goals and
ideals of such a day.
March 29th is the anniversary of the date in 1973 when the last remaining American
forces officially withdrew from Vietnam.
“I am very proud that my colleagues have joined me in passing this important
resolution,” said Rep. Shuler. “While we can never fully repay the debt we owe for their
selfless service, the resolution makes it clear that we will never forget the more than
3,000,000 brave young Americans who served our Nation and the 58,000 who made the
ultimate sacrifice in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam.”
Rep. Shuler introduced the legislation last month after Derrell Maxwell and the veterans
of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 994 in Franklin, North Carolina
approached him with the idea of creating a Vietnam Veterans Day.
“I’d like to offer thanks to Mr. Maxwell and the other veterans of the Vietnam Veterans
of America Chapter 994 for coming to me with this excellent idea. It was an honor to
introduce and help pass this bill honoring them and all those who served during the
Vietnam War,” Rep. Shuler concluded.
H.RES.1231 was endorsed by the VFW and the American Legion and had 66 cosponsors
in the House, including Rep. Bob Filner, the Chairman of the House Committee on
Veterans Affairs.
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Download: Rep. Shuler Legislation Honoring Vietnam Veterans Passes House
