[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION OF GUAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentleman from Guam [Mr. 
Underwood] is recognized during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, last Saturday, June 25, 1994, at 
Arlington National Cemetery, I sponsored a commemoration ceremony for 
the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Guam and the Battle of Saipan 
and other islands at the ceremony. This commemoration which took place 
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the only national commemoration 
held this year to recognize battles in the Pacific theatre during World 
War II.
  Mr. Speaker, I am extremely grateful for the participation of 
Interior Secretary Babbitt, Navy Secretary Dalton, Chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Shalishkavili. Their support, stirring 
words, and encouragement reflects the administration's growing 
awareness of these historical events.
  But I must take note of the fact that the event was largely ignored 
by the media and by the Nation's leadership other than those mentioned. 
There is no effort to equate the magnitude of Normandy with the battles 
which took place 50 years ago in Guam and Saipan but while Normandy 
pulled the Nation's leadership across the Atlantic, the Pacific battles 
could not get many to cross the Potomac.
  D-day has come to mean only Normandy in the minds of many. But I want 
the Members of this body to understand that there was more. Last week, 
I received a call from a veteran of the Pacific theatre. This veteran 
from Atlanta called me to thank me for the commemoration which we held 
last Saturday. And he reminded me that for the men who fought in the 
Marianas and all across the Pacific; every island was a D-day; 
Guadalcanal, Peleilu, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima. All of these were 
D-days which required the courage and commitment which the American 
soldier, marine, airman, and sailor always gave.
  And there was something more here, especially in the case of Guam--my 
island. Guam was the only U.S. territory occupied during World War II 
which had people on it. In fact, it was the first time since the War of 
1812 that U.S. soil was invaded by a foreign power. And when the 3d 
Marines, the 77th Infantry, the 1st Marine Provisional Brigade stormed 
ashore, they were reoccupying, they were returning.
  And this was not lost upon the marines and soldiers who cried at the 
sight of the people of Guam coming down from the hills and who were 
heartened by little children who held handmade American flags, 
imperfect in their design yet perfect in their meaning.
  My people suffered terribly during the war; my own parents lost three 
children; there were random acts of cruelty; forced marches, forced 
labor, and acts of loyalty to America were met with fists, rifle butts, 
the bullet, and even the sword.
  And in Saipan, the invasion was the first contact between the 
American Nation and the people of that island. This experience 
eventually led to the creation of the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Marianas, the only acquisition of territory engaged in by this country 
since the purchase of the Virgin Islands.
  While the Guam and Marianas commemoration did not inspire the 
attention that other World War II commemorations did, it will remain 
amongst the most meaningful not only because of the bravery of the 
American military, but because of the bringing together of the spirit 
of freedom and liberty in the middle of the Pacific.
  Freedom is a system based on courage, and there was ample support of 
this system by the exploits of the men in uniform and my island elders 
who were in rags. In their sacrifice, in their commitment, in their 
finest hour, we find the courage which has made our freedom possible.
  And we must teach the lessons of this experience to all; it is 
entirely fitting that we layed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown 
Soldier to honor the experience and the story of Guam, a story largely 
unknown.
  The commemoration of the Battle of Saipan took place on June 15 on 
that island and the commemoration of the Battle of Guam will take place 
on July 21. Let us all take the time to reflect upon the meaning of 
these battles for the Nation, and take the time to honor and recognize 
the veterans of the Pacific. They deserve more than they have received 
to date.

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