[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 246 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 246


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 18, 2007

                                Received

             January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2008

              Referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the United States Marine Corps for serving and defending the 
 United States on the anniversary of its founding on November 10, 1775.

Whereas, on November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meeting in 
        Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that ``two Battalions of 
        Marines be raised'' for service as landing forces with the fleet;
Whereas this resolution establishing the Continental Marines marked the birth 
        date of the United States Marine Corps;
Whereas these first Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important 
        operations, including their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in 
        March 1776, under the command of Captain Samuel Nicholas, who became the 
        first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines and is considered 
        to be the first Marine Commandant;
Whereas following the Revolutionary War and the formal re-establishment of the 
        Marine Corps on July 11, 1798, Marines saw action in the quasi-war with 
        France, landed in Santo Domingo, and took part in many operations 
        against the Barbary pirates along the ``Shores of Tripoli'';
Whereas Marines took part in numerous naval operations during the War of 1812, 
        as well as participating in the defense of Washington and fought 
        alongside Andrew Jackson in the defeat of the British at New Orleans;
Whereas the Marines seized enemy seaports on both the Gulf and Pacific coasts 
        during the Mexican War;
Whereas a battalion of Marines joined General Winfield Scott's army at Pueblo 
        and fought to the ``Halls of Montezuma'', Mexico City;
Whereas Marines preserved the Union both ashore and afloat during the U.S. Civil 
        War at Bull Run, Cape Hatteras, New Orleans, Charleston, and Fort 
        Fisher;
Whereas the Marines fought gallantly in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the 
        Philippines during the Spanish-American War;
Whereas the Marines saw active service in the Philippine Insurrection, the Boxer 
        Rebellion and in Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, Mexico, and Haiti during the 
        early 1900s;
Whereas more than 30,000 Marines served in World War I and distinguished 
        themselves on the battlefields of France and Belgium at Belleau Wood, 
        Soissons, St. Michiel, Blanc Mont, and in the Meuse-Argonne offensive;
Whereas Marine aviation also supported the war effort in the skies over Europe;
Whereas 485,113 Marines served during World War II in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, 
        Tarawa, New Britain, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu, 
        Iwo Jima, and Okinawa and lost 87,000 killed and wounded;
Whereas the Marines served honorably at Inchon and Seoul and the Chosin 
        Reservoir in operations defending South Korea from 1950 to 1955;
Whereas Marines have served in the defense of freedom and peace in Lebanon in 
        1955;
Whereas the Marine Corps protected and evacuated Americans from the Dominican 
        Republic in 1965;
Whereas the Marine Corps suffered 13,000 killed and more than 88,000 wounded in 
        Vietnam;
Whereas the Marines have protected dignitaries and embassies throughout the 
        world like the Embassy in Beirut in 1982;
Whereas the Marine Corps intervened in Granada and Panama in the 1980s to 
        protect American lives and restore the democratic processes;
Whereas the Marine Corps sent 24 infantry battalions, 40 squadrons, and 92,000 
        Marines to defend Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield 
        and Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas the Marine Corps also engaged in non-combatant evacuation operations in 
        Liberia and Somalia during Desert Storm;
Whereas the Marine Corps participated in humanitarian lifesaving operations in 
        Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Northern Iraq during Desert Storm;
Whereas the Marine Corps served in Somalia on humanitarian relief operations 
        from 1992 to 1994;
Whereas the Marine Corps supported Operation Deny Flight in the no-fly zone over 
        Bosnia-Herzegovina;
Whereas the Marines were called on to evacuate U.S. citizens from Rwanda in 
        1994;
Whereas the Marine Corps engaged in democracy restoration efforts in Haiti in 
        1994;
Whereas the Marine Corps has deployed to several African nations, including 
        Liberia, the Central African Republic, Zaire, and Eritrea to provide 
        security and assist in the evacuation of American citizens during 
        periods of political and civil instability in those nations;
Whereas the Marine Corps has engaged in humanitarian and disaster relief 
        operations in Kenya, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala;
Whereas Marine units deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Allied Force;
Whereas the Marine Corps has played a pivotal role in Operation Enduring 
        Freedom, toppling the Taliban and dismantling the Al Qaeda terrorist 
        network;
Whereas 76,000 Marines have deployed to combat operations in Iraq;
Whereas Marines have earned the Navy Cross 17 times, the Silver Star 74 times, 
        the Bronze Star 1,896 times, the Bronze Star with ``V'' 866 times, and 
        the Purple Heart 7,720 times during Operation Enduring Freedom and 
        Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas Marines have earned the Medal of Honor 298 times, the Navy Cross 2,168 
        times, and the Distinguished Service Cross 417 times;
Whereas the Marine Corps continues to serve in harm's way around the world;
Whereas Marine Corps Special Operators have served with honor and distinction 
        around the world since their activation in 2006;
Whereas the Marine Corps has fought for freedom, preserved democracy, and 
        protected Americans and their interests on every continent around the 
        world;
Whereas the Marine Corps is the most versatile and elite, integrated fighting 
        force; and
Whereas the United States Marine Corps and its Marines have served the United 
        States, its people, its allies, and all free people of the world for 232 
        years: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress remembers, honors and commends the achievements of the 
United States Marine Corps in serving and defending the United States 
on the 232nd anniversary of the creation of the Marines.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 17, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.