Benjamin Gilman: “today I am supporting H. Con. Res. 282, a bill to declare the American G.I. as ``The Person of the Century for the 20th…”

“today I am supporting H. Con. Res. 282, a bill to declare the American G.I. as ``The Person of the Century for the 20th Century.'' I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this timely, appropriate measure. As the year 1999 drew to a close, it became fashionable among pundits and academians to nominate a person of the century, for the outgoing 20th century. Many such people were selected, including Time magazine's choice of Albert Einstein. Writing for the New York Times, columnist Charles Krauthammer presented an eloquent defense of his nominee, Winston Churchill, without whom, he argued, Britain would have eventually sought a separate peace with Nazi Germany, drastically altering history. Many other distinguished journalists and pundits offered their own choices for this honorable position. H. Con. Res. 282 takes a different approach to this nomination. Instead of presenting an individual for the award, it makes a collective nomination in declaring the American G.I. to be the best choice for person of the 20th century. Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better choice for this honor.”