[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       HONORING MILITARY SERVICE

                                 ______


                          HON. BOB LIVINGSTON

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 1994

  Mr. LIVINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I gave a speech 
honoring the military service of veterans who have served, and in some 
cases suffered for, their country. I would like to include it for the 
Record.

                 Greetings for POW/MIA Recognition Day

       Thank you very much Charlie Cunningham, and greetings from 
     Louisiana's congressional delegation. To Captain Kistler, 
     Commander Ahee, Commander Kemp, and Commander Lane: my 
     highest regards.
       And to all of you gathered here, I am humbled to honor 
     those who suffered in foreign captivity so that others may be 
     free. These are men who were thrown into an abyss and lived 
     to tell about it. Their tales should never be forgotten by 
     those who enjoy the blessing of liberty. Their lonely 
     service, often in defiance of brutal torture, speaks in deeds 
     so eloquent that they are, as Abraham Lincoln said, ``far 
     beyond our power to add or detract'' by mere words alone.
       As for those still listed as missing, I quote one of the 
     great leaders of the 20th Century, Ronald Reagan, who said 
     that ``our liberty is secure because every life is precious 
     to us; we, therefore, can write no final chapter to the story 
     of those who answered their country's call and did not 
     return. They gave without limit and we owe them, and their 
     families, no less.''
       As a side note:
       All veterans here have served valiantly in fighting against 
     tyranny--whether the Nazis of WWII, the Communists in Korea 
     or Vietnam or other cold war skirmishes--each time, against 
     totalitarians.
       And we won.
       But today we find our troops detailed in 18 countries on 
     missions involving some 80,000 troops--and that is before 
     Haiti. Most of these missions are well-intended, good causes. 
     But some involve something we have not know before: a sort of 
     gunboat liberalism which I believe trends toward a foolish 
     and unwise risk of American lives and resources.
       This constitutes an advancement of ideals not yet 
     understood, and hardly approved, by the American people. We 
     should be very wary and cautious, lest we waste the 
     reputation of good will we have generated throughout the 
     world as a great superpower unafraid to put its strength 
     behind a vision of justice, democracy, and decency. Let us 
     not become bogged down in political misadventures for dubious 
     causes or personalities.
       But let us have the wisdom and strength to stand and fight 
     if necessary when America, its citizens, or allies are truly 
     threatened.
       So to all of you gather here, I again say thank you for 
     your service, and I conclude with the only expression which, 
     in its simplicity and directness, best exemplifies the 
     respect in which I hold those we honor today.
       [SALUTE]

                          ____________________