February 23, 2004
Contact: Anneliesa Clump Behrend (202) 707-9822, aclump@loc.gov
Women Legislators Join VA and DAV in Veterans History Project
Incoming NFWL president Jan Judy (left) and VHP director Beverly
Lindsey (right) pose with Secretary Principi. Photo courtesy
of Pepe Gomez
for the
NFWL.
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WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi
will be the featured speaker at a kickoff to increase national
awareness of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History
Project on Feb. 24. He will be accompanied by members of Congress
and elected women officials from every state, as well as veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is joining forces with
the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL), the Disabled
American Veterans (DAV) and the American Folklife Center at the
Library of Congress to record interviews with veterans for presentation
to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project.
A news conference announcing the project will be held at 10 a.m.
in the “Russell Swamp” (located on Constitution Avenue
in the park next to the western side of the Russell Senate Office
Building). Women legislators will hold similar news conferences
in every state and territory.
I am proud VA is a part of this very important effort to preserve
the legacy of America’s veterans,” said Principi. “This
project will allow younger generations of Americans to learn
about the sacrifices and patriotism of those who fought to guarantee
their freedom.
It is so important for all Americans to reach out to veterans
and I know that our women legislators are honored to be a part
of this project and to have the opportunity to be working so
closely with our nation’s heroes,” said Robin Read,
president & CEO of NFWL.
The Veterans History Project is a wonderful way to honor and
remember the men and women who have served our country, often
at great personal cost. And this partnership to collect and preserve
their stories as a lasting tribute to all American veterans,” said
DAV National Commander Alan W. Bowers.
Beverly Lindsey speaks at the event. Photo courtesy of Pepe Gomez
for the NFWL.
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Women elected officials from every state and U.S. territory have
been selected to serve as veterans team leaders for NFWL’s "Heart
to Heart" program to record interviews with veterans for
presentation to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History
Project. VA will assist NFWL in locating veterans to be interviewed
and will provide nationwide public affairs support. DAV is
encouraging its members to interview their fellow disabled
veterans or to allow a volunteer to interview them.
Team leaders have been focusing on interviewing World War I and
World War II veterans. During the next year, they will also interview
veterans of Korea, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars.
Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. The
American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress is collecting
and
preserving audio and video recorded histories, along with documentary
materials such as memoirs, letters, diaries, maps, photographs
and home movies. The material will be available to veterans,
their families, researchers, historians and future generations
of Americans at the Library of Congress, with representative
samples also online at the Veterans History Project web site
at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.
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