Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 2.djvu/841

 PUBLIC LAW 105-85—NOV. 18, 1997 111 STAT. 1921 (1) In its more than 200 years of existence as a nation, the United States has never conferred on any person the status of being an honorary veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States. (2) Status as an honorary veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States is and should remain an extraordinary honor not Hghtly conferred nor frequently granted. (3) The lifetime of accomplishments and service of Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope on behalf of members of the Armed Forces of the United States fiiliy justifies the conferring of that status. (4) Bob Hope attempted to enlist in the Armed Forces to serve his country during World War II but was informed that the greatest service he could provide his country was as a civilian entertainer for the troops. (5) During World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the Cold War, Bob Hope travelled to visit and entertain millions of members of the Armed Forces in numerous countries, on ships at sea, and in combat zones ashore. (6) Bob Hope has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Distinguished Service Medal of each of the branches of the Armed Forces and more than 100 other citations and awards from national veterans service organizations and civic and humanitarian organizations. (7) Bob Hope has given unselfishly of himself for over half a century to be with Americsm service members on foreign shores, working tirelessly to bring a spirit of humor and cheer to millions of service members during their loneliest moments, and has, thereby, extended to them for the American people a touch of home away from home. (b) DESIGNATION OF BOB HOPE AS HONORARY VETERAN.— Congress— (1) extends its gratitude, on behalf of the American people, to Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope, of the State of California, for his lifetime of accomplishments and service on behalf of members of the Armed Forces of the United States; and (2) hereby confers upon him the status of being an honorary veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States. SEC. 1088. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF AVIATION INSURANCE PROGRAM. (a) EXTENSION.— Section 44310 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking out "September 30, 1997" and inserting in lieu thereof "September 30, 2002". (b) EFFECTIVE DATE. —This section shall take effect as of 49 USC 443X0 September 30, 1997. note. TITLE XI—DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CIVILIAN PERSONNEL Sec. 1101. Use of prohibited constraints to manage Department of Defense personnel. Sec. 1102. Veterans' preference status for certain veterans who served on active duty during the Persian Gulf War. Sec. 1103. Repeal of deadline for placement consideration of involuntarily separated military reserve technicians. Sec. 1104. Rate of pay of Department of Defense overseas teachers upon transfer to General Schedule position.

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