III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 599 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

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.