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Congressional'Record ITnif?╜1 States ^^^^ O tit a/AmerioT PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OP THE ??9 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1965 No. 157 THE AMERICAN PATRIOT (Mr. O'NEILL of Massachusetts (at the request of Mr. Grider) was granted permission to extend his remarks at this point in the Record and to include extraneous matter.) Mr. O'NEILL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about a vanishing species, the American patriot. Yes, Mr. Speaker, patriotism seems to have been lost in the shuffle. Time was when flag-waving was not reserved for bandstand orators. When young men marched proudly to the music of patriotic songs. When obtrusive patriotism was fashionable. When you did not have to apologize for wearing burning patriotism on one's sleeve. Time was when all Americans celebrated the Nation's greatness, revered patriotism as a virtue, treasured America's glorious traditions, idolized the great Americans of the past. Mr. Speaker, it is high time patriotism made a comeback. In this time of strife, when patriotism is so sorely needed, a series of patriotic booster shots for the American public is indeed called for. For decades most of our patriotic fervor has radiated from the entertainment industry. An outstanding example is currently on display in the Nation's entertainment capital, Las Vegas, Nev. I have reference to the Las Vegas Desert Inn's musical extravaganza, "Hello America," which will celebrate its first anniversary in September. For more than 700 sellout performances "Hello America/9 with its clean and wholesome appeal to the entire family, has initiated and perpetuated a patriotic spirit that has given a new look to the entertainment field. Its stirring message of love of country and flag is a dramatic reminder of the ideals which brought this Nation into being. It teaches us the value of the things our men have bled and died for. It blatantly decries our mystifying prone- ness for apologizing for waving the most beautiful banner that flies. Because it does all of these things, Mr. Speaker, I respectfully suggest that congressional recognition and commendation be accorded "Hello America99 as a patriotic venture of the highest order and that these remarks be inserted in the Congressional Record.