[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 16 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 16

       Designating August 16, 2001, as ``National Airborne Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 31, 2001

Mr. Thurmond submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
       Designating August 16, 2001, as ``National Airborne Day''.

Whereas the Parachute Test Platoon was authorized by the War Department on June 
        25, 1940, to experiment with the potential use of airborne troops;
Whereas the Parachute Test Platoon was composed of 48 volunteers that began 
        training in July, 1940;
Whereas the Parachute Test Platoon performed the first official Army parachute 
        jump on August 16, 1940;
Whereas the success of the Parachute Test Platoon led to the formation of a 
        large and successful airborne contingent serving from World War II until 
        the present;
Whereas the 11th, 13th, 17th, 82nd, and 101st Airborne Divisions and the 
        numerous other regimental and battalion-sized airborne units were 
        organized following the success of the Parachute Test Platoon;
Whereas the 501st Parachute Battalion participated successfully and valiantly in 
        achieving victory in World War II;
Whereas the airborne achievements during World War II provided the basis for 
        continuing the development of a diversified force of parachute and air 
        assault troops;
Whereas paratroopers, glidermen, and air assault troops of the United States 
        were and are proud members of the world's most exclusive and honorable 
        fraternity, have earned and wear the ``Silver Wings of Courage'', have 
        participated in a total of 93 combat jumps, and have distinguished 
        themselves in battle by earning 69 Congressional Medals of Honor, the 
        highest military decoration of the United States, and hundreds of 
        Distinguished Service Crosses and Silver Stars;
Whereas these airborne forces have performed in important military and 
        peacekeeping operations, wherever needed, in World War II, Korea, 
        Vietnam, Lebanon, Sinai, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Somalia, Haiti, 
        and Bosnia; and
Whereas the Senate joins together with the airborne community to celebrate 
        August 16, 2001 (the 61st anniversary of the first official parachute 
        jump by the Parachute Test Platoon), as ``National Airborne Day'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates August 16, 2001, as ``National Airborne 
        Day''; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling on Federal, State, and local administrators and the 
        people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate 
        programs, ceremonies, and activities.
                                 <all>