John Hansen: “H.R. 5212 was introduced by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) and…”

“H.R. 5212 was introduced by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) and has 230 cosponsors. The bill creates a recording program within the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to collect videotaped histories of American war veterans. There are 19 million veterans in the United States, but only about 3,400 remaining who served in World War I. As the bill points out, of the 6 million World War II vets alive today, almost 1,500 die each day. We are currently observing the 50th anniversary of the Korean conflict. This program will ensure that future generations have access to the memories and experiences of veterans acquired during their service to the Nation. These individual stories will provide historians with invaluable information to give context to some of the greatest moments in our history and some of the most tragic. It will also provide the public with a way to remember and celebrate the sacrifices made by the men and women who have fought to protect our freedom.”