[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 256 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                         June 21, 2005.
Whereas on November 4, 1979, Islamic extremists occupied the United States 
        Embassy in Tehran, Iran, and took 66 American hostages, of whom 13 were 
        released in a matter of days, on November 19 and 20, 1979;
Whereas after months of unsuccessful diplomatic negotiations for the release of 
        the remaining 53 hostages and after extensive planning and 
        intergovernmental debate, a complex rescue mission designated as 
        ``Operation Eagle Claw'' was approved by President Carter on April 16, 
        1980;
Whereas on April 24, 1980, a task force comprised of Army Special Operations 
        Forces, Army Rangers, Air Force Special Operations Wing personnel, and 
        United States Navy, Marine, and Air Force pilots succeeded in moving 
        thousands of miles undetected until reaching a remote location in the 
        Iranian desert 200 miles from Tehran designated by the code name 
        ``Desert One'';
Whereas at Desert One, a combination of helicopters and MC-130/EC-130 gunships 
        rendezvoused with the intention of rescuing the hostages 200 miles away 
        in Tehran the following evening;
Whereas the bravery, dedication, and level of operational expertise of the men 
        who participated in the mission were evident from the onset and tested 
        by the mechanical and weather problems suffered en route to the 
        rendezvous point;
Whereas due to mechanical failures and weather problems only six out of eight 
        helicopters successfully arrived at the Desert One rendezvous;
Whereas six helicopters was the minimum number of helicopters that could 
        successfully complete Operation Eagle Claw;
Whereas once the six helicopters arrived, the rescue attempt was dealt a final 
        blow when it was learned that one of the helicopters had lost its 
        primary hydraulic system and would be unsafe to use fully loaded for the 
        final assault on Tehran;
Whereas as the various aircraft began moving into position to return to their 
        respective launching points, one of the helicopters collided with a C-
        130 aircraft on the ground;
Whereas flames engulfed the helicopter and the C-130 and resulted in the death 
        of 5 airmen and 3 Marines;
Whereas other members of the task force were burned but survived, while their 
        comrades acted bravely in restoring order and managed to evacuate the 
        wounded personnel and salvageable equipment back to friendly territory;
Whereas Members of Congress were dismayed with the poor equipment, lack of 
        funding, and inattention that had been given to special operations 
        forces up to that time that came to light because of the aborted rescue 
        mission;
Whereas in response, legislation was enacted in 1986 to establish a new unified 
        command for special operations forces that is designated as the United 
        States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM);
Whereas the United States Special Operations Command continues to prove its 
        immense value to the national defense as witnessed by the performance of 
        special operations forces in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in many other 
        countries of the world; and
Whereas the Nation owes a great debt of gratitude to special operations forces 
        personnel and their families: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of the 
        soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who participated in Operation 
        Eagle Claw in April 1980 in the attempt to rescue American hostages in 
        Iran and particularly remembers the sacrifice of those who died in that 
        attempt; and
            (2) commends all special operations forces personnel currently in 
        service.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.