[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 599 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 599

       Designating August 16, 2010, as ``National Airborne Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 28, 2010

 Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Reed, Mr. Reid, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Burr, 
  Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Snowe, Mr. 
   Baucus, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Begich, Mr. Brown of Massachusetts, Mr. 
Lieberman, Mr. Thune, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Burris, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Roberts, 
Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Bond, Mr. Bennett, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. 
 Inouye, and Mr. Corker) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
       Designating August 16, 2010, as ``National Airborne Day''.

Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed Forces have a long and honorable 
        history as units of bold and fierce warriors who, for the national 
        security of the United States and the defense of freedom and peace, 
        project the effective ground combat power of the United States by Air 
        Force air transport to the far reaches of the battle area and, indeed, 
        to the far corners of the world;
Whereas the United States experiment with airborne infantry attack began on June 
        25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized by 
        the Department of War and was launched when 48 volunteers began training 
        in July 1940;
Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first official Army parachute 
        jump on August 16, 1940, to test the innovative concept of inserting 
        United States ground combat forces behind a battle line by means of 
        parachute;
Whereas the success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon in the days immediately 
        before the entry of the United States into World War II led to the 
        formation of a formidable force of airborne units that have served with 
        distinction and have had repeated success in armed hostilities;
Whereas among those first airborne units are the former 11th, 13th, and 17th 
        Airborne Divisions, the current 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, and 
        the later airborne regiments and battalions (some as components of those 
        divisions and some as separate units) that achieved distinction as the 
        75th Ranger Regiment, the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 187th 
        Infantry (Airborne) Regiment, which is the only airborne unit to have 
        served as a Glider, Parachute, and Air Assault Regiment, the 501st, 
        502nd, 503rd, 504th, 505th, 506th, 507th, 508th, 509th, 511th, 513th, 
        517th, 541st, and 542nd Parachute Infantry Regiments, the 88th, 127th, 
        193rd, 194th, 325th, 326th, 327th, and 401st Glider Infantry Regiments, 
        the 509th, 550th, 551st, and 555th Parachute Infantry Battalions, and 
        the 550th Airborne Infantry Battalion;
Whereas the achievements of the airborne forces during World War II prompted the 
        evolution of those forces into a diversified force of parachute and air 
        assault units that, over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, 
        Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and Somalia and have engaged 
        in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai Peninsula, the 
        Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo;
Whereas since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, United States 
        paratroopers, which include members of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 
        82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 
        173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade (Airborne) of the 
        25th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and special forces 
        units, together with other units of the Armed Forces, have demonstrated 
        bravery and honor in combat operations, civil affairs missions, and 
        training operations in Afghanistan and Iraq;
Whereas the modern day airborne force also includes other elite forces composed 
        entirely of airborne trained and qualified special operations warriors, 
        including Army Special Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy 
        SEALs, Air Force combat control teams, pararescue, and weather teams, 
        all of which are part of the United States Special Operations Command;
Whereas of the members and former members of the United States airborne forces, 
        thousands have achieved the distinction of making combat jumps, dozens 
        have earned the Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the 
        Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star Medal, or other decorations 
        and awards for displays heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and valor;
Whereas the members and former members of the United States airborne forces are 
        all members of a proud and honorable tradition that, together with their 
        special skills and achievements, distinguishes them as intrepid combat 
        parachutists, air assault forces, special operation forces, and, in 
        former days, glider troops;
Whereas the history and achievements of the members and former members of the 
        United States airborne forces warrant special expressions of the 
        gratitude of the people of the United States; and
Whereas, since the airborne community celebrates August 16 as the anniversary of 
        the first official jump by the Army Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 
        would be an appropriate day to recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates August 16, 2010, as ``National Airborne 
        Day''; and
            (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
        National Airborne Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
        and activities.
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