[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 98 (Monday, July 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
CONGRATULATING THE CITIZENS OF BERLIN ON THE OCCASION OF THE WITHDRAWAL 
   OF UNITED STATES TROOPS FROM BERLIN AND REAFFIRMING UNITED STATES-
                           BERLIN FRIENDSHIP

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 476) congratulating the people of Germany and 
the citizens of Berlin on the occasion of the withdrawal of United 
States troops from Berlin, and reaffirming United States-Berlin 
friendship.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 476

       Whereas the people of the United States and Germany have 
     enjoyed warm and amicable relations for 5 decades;
       Whereas throughout the Cold War the existence of a free and 
     democratic West Berlin served as a symbol of Western resolve 
     in the face of totalitarian aggression;
       Whereas the armed forces of the United States have 
     maintained a continuous presence in defense of the city of 
     Berlin for 49 years;
       Whereas, in 1948 and 1949, the United States came to the 
     assistance of the people of Berlin during the 462 days of the 
     Berlin airlift;
       Whereas, following the construction of the Berlin wall, the 
     armed forces of the United States stationed in Berlin 
     demonstrated the American resolve to participate in the 
     defense of Western Europe;
       Whereas the United States takes pride in having admirably 
     fulfilled its administrative responsibilities over its sector 
     in the city of Berlin;
       Whereas the citizens of Berlin have reciprocated the United 
     States' commitment by demonstrating warm and genuine 
     hospitality and a willingness to integrate the American 
     community deeply into the life of the city;
       Whereas the American people shared the joy of the German 
     people at the collapse of the Berlin wall and German 
     unification;
       Whereas the termination of the Warsaw Pact and the 
     subsequent unification of Germany reduced the strategic 
     requirement for a continued United States military presence 
     in Berlin;
       Whereas the United States Berlin Brigade, together with 
     French and British contingents stationed in Berlin, are now 
     preparing for their departure from Berlin; and
       Whereas the history of friendly relations and longstanding 
     commercial and cultural bonds between the people of Berlin 
     and the United States form a sound basis for continued warm 
     and positive relations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the people of Germany on the unification 
     of the Nation and the city of Berlin as it prepares to resume 
     its position as the seat of government of united Germany;
       (2) congratulates the armed forces of the United States, 
     civilian administrators, and the American people for 5 
     decades of sacrifice and steadfast support for the city of 
     Berlin;
       (3) recognizes and salutes the contribution of British and 
     French allies in the defense of Berlin;
       (4) reaffirms the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     obligations of the United States and America's continued 
     support for a free, democratic, and united Germany; and
       (5) welcomes the further enrichment of the relationship 
     between the United States and the city of Berlin based on an 
     approach fostering new traditions in economic and cultural 
     links.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana [Mr. Hamilton] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] will be recognized for 20 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana [Mr.. Hamilton].
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. HAMILTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 476 congratulates the 
city of Berlin as it prepares to resume its position as the seat of 
government of a unified Germany.
  The resolution also congratulates the Armed Forces of the United 
States for 50 years of sacrifice and support for Berlin; recognizes the 
contributions of the British and French in defense of Berlin; and 
reaffirms our NATO obligations in support of Germany.
  I want to commend Mr. Bereuter for introducing this resolution and 
would recognize him in support of his resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member would like to thank the 
chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the distinguished 
gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton]. Chairman Hamilton was extremely 
helpful in bringing this member's resolution (H. Res. 476) before this 
body in a timely manner. This Member is genuinely appreciative. 
Similarly, this Member would like to express his appreciation to his 
distinguished ranking member on the committee, the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Gilman], who is among the numerous cosponsors of House 
Resolution 476 and who was quite supportive in the committee.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 476 is a straightforward resolution 
that enjoys bipartisan support in the Congress as well as the strong 
support of the administration. Simply stated, the resolution recognizes 
the exceptional contribution to peace and security that has been 
provided by the U.S. Berlin Brigade. And, as the U.S. forces prepare 
the depart from Berlin, House Resolution 576 recognizes the special 
relationship between the United States and the people of Berlin.
  For almost five decades, Berlin has been the ye of the cold war 
storm. The Berlin airlift was the first great demonstration of Western 
determination to halt Communist aggression. The airlift lasted a year-
and-a-half. When it was over there was no question about U.S. resolve.
  Nothing more vividly demonstrated the hollow nature of the Soviet 
promise of a workers' paradise more than the fact that they had to 
build a wall to prevent their population from fleeing. Nothing more 
vividly demonstrated the indominable human spirit that the countless 
thousands who would risk everything to escape over, under, or through 
the Berlin wall. And, when the Berlin wall came down, we knew the end 
of the Soviet empire was close at hand.

  Throughout it all, the presence of the U.S. Armed Forces--most 
notably the U.S. Berlin Brigade--was an unmistakable demonstration of 
our commitment to freedom and liberty.
  Over the years, more than 100,000 Americans have served in Berlin. 
And time and time again, American service men and women demonstrated 
extraordinary actions of heroism and humanity. Take for example, the 
case of Hans Puhl, who was standing sentry one day in 1964 when a young 
East Berliner was shot making a dash for freedom. Oblivious to the 
danger, private Puhl jumped the wall, and carried the wounded man to 
freedom.
  Or take the example of Colonel Halvorsen, the Air Force pilot who 
made a point of dropping packages of candy to the children of Berlin 
during the 1948 airlift. Or Sidney Shachnow, a Holocaust survivor who 
eventually rose to become a general in the U.N. Army, and commander of 
the Berlin Brigade.
  These Americans--and countless others--have become an integral part 
of Berlin's history and tradition.
  Two weeks ago President Clinton traveled to Berlin and officially 
demobilized the Berlin Brigade. On September 6, the brigade, together 
with the British and French contingents, will march out of Berlin. In 
doing so, the nature of our relationship with the people of Berlin will 
observable change. The troops will be gone, but this Member believes 
that we can be confident that the friendly relationship between the 
United States and the people of Berlin will remain.
  The State Department now talks of terms of ``new traditions,'' with 
the implication being that links between the United States and the 
German people will emphasize shared values, a common culture, and 
greater economic links. And, as Berlin is about to once again become 
the capital city of a united Germany, the city is about to assume a 
much greater political and diplomatic importance.
  House Resolution 476 congratulates the people of Germany on the 
unification of the Nation and the city of Berlin as it prepares to 
resume its position as the seat of government of a united Germany.
  The resolution commends the U.S. Armed Forces and the American people 
for five decades of sacrifice and steadfast support of freedom, and 
recognizes the vital contributions may by our French and British 
allies.
  It reaffirms the our NATO commitment, and expresses the intent to 
build upon the excellent relations with the people of Berlin.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member urges adoption of House Resolution 476.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth].
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, let me join with the gentleman from Nebraska 
[Mr. Bereuter], in supporting this resolution to commend the people of 
Berlin for their long struggle against Communist domination.
  For five decades, Berliners symobilzed the fight against the Soviet 
occupation of Eastern Europe. Their courage during the 462 days of the 
Berlin airlift inspired the world.
  For 50 years, American troops defended Berlin as an outpost of 
freedom in Soviet-occupied East Germany.
  Now, with the cold war over, American forces are finally departing 
Berlin, their long term of duty completed.
  Without question, the continued freedom of Berlin, guaranteed by 
American, British and French forces, was a key factor in eventually 
bringing down the Soviet empire.
  The American people supported the goal of freedom for Berlin and East 
Germany.
  We never gave up.
  We never lost hope.
  And today the German people are reunited in a free country.
  This resolution commemorates that long struggle, and honors those 
people--American and German, as well as British and French, who made 
this day possible.
  The 58 million Americans of German descent have a special reason to 
be proud today--of their forebears' homeland and of America.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the gentleman from 
Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] for his initiative in introducing House 
Resolution 476 which offers the congratulations of the House of 
Representatives to the United States Forces who will withdraw from 
Berlin next month, having successfully completed their mission 
safeguarding Berlin and West Germany through the many years of the cold 
war. The resolution also congratulates the courageous people of Berlin 
themselves, and our allies, Britain and France, who joined us in 
sustaining this effort.
  I am confident all members will join in supporting this resolution as 
an expression of the pride that we as Americans share in the dedication 
of the brave men and women of our U.S. armed forces who served in 
Berlin during the cold war.
  As they withdraw from a city now united, I hope the example they have 
set will remind us of our ability to defend freedom even in the face of 
the toughest adversaries. I ask all of my colleagues here to join in 
proudly saying aye to this measure as a tribute to the accomplishments 
of our departing Armed Forces in Berlin.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I, too, have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton] that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 476.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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