Recognizing K-9 Veterans Day

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize March 13 as K-9 Veterans Day, an opportunity to commemorate the working dogs that support our men and women in uniform.

This year marks the 78th anniversary of the establishment of the K-9 Corps.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army began training for the K-9 Corps in 1942, originally known as the War Dog Program. In the years that passed, the K-9 Corps has become a vital part of our Armed Forces operations.

Though military working dogs initially served as morale boosters for our soldiers, they were eventually trained and incorporated into combat. A dog's sense of smell is 5 to 10 times stronger than a human's, which has made them expert counterparts in detecting explosive devices.

More than 1,500 dogs served in the Korean war, 4,000 in Vietnam, and many more in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Like their human counterparts, our military K-9s eventually retire. Many dogs and their handlers develop a strong bond during their service together.

Sadly, prior to the year 2000, military working dogs were considered ``equipment'' and were either left behind or euthanized at the end of their service.

Today, retired military working dogs are put up for adoption, and their personal handlers get first priority to give them a home.

To further this effort, the American Humane Society works to unite our four-legged heroes with their handlers by raising funds to ensure their safe transport home.

Oftentimes, these retired dogs will serve as support animals to servicemembers who may be suffering from PTSD and other disabilities, both mental and physical. Our veterans can greatly benefit from the assistance and the companionship that a dog provides, and our K-9 veterans benefit from their newfound forever homes.

Our K-9 veterans have served our country, and they, too, deserve to be honored for their service. Recognizing National Red Cross Month

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize March as National Red Cross Month.

This tradition began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the proclamation to designate the month of March to celebrate Red Cross volunteers, donors, and instructors.

The history of the Red Cross, however, goes back even further into American history. In 1881, Clara Barton established the organization right here in Washington, D.C., to better serve people in need. On June 5, 1889, Clara Barton and five volunteers came to Johnstown to respond to the Johnstown Flood.

For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross has worked to support those in need, whether they are men and women in uniform or victims of natural disaster.

Perhaps the organization's best-known program, the American Red Cross established the first nationwide civilian blood donation program in the 1940s.

According to the organization, someone in the United States needs blood every 2 seconds. There are regular blood donation drives right here on Capitol Hill, where we can all volunteer to donate blood that has the potential to save a life.

Less than 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, and only 3 percent of those individuals donate annually.

The critical need for blood and the lifesaving potential that comes from a donation cannot be overstated.

The American Red Cross has always been a leader in this effort, and today, they still provide more than 40 percent of the blood products in the United States.

The success of the Red Cross relies on the generosity of the American spirit.

This month and all year long, I am thankful for their service to our Nation.

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