[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 134 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       APPROPRIATE PORTRAYAL OF MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES

  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Rules 
Committee be discharged from future consideration of Senate Resolution 
257, a resolution regarding the appropriate portrayal of men and women 
in the Armed Forces in the upcoming National Air and Space Museum 
exhibit on the Enola Gay; that the Senate proceed to its immediate 
consideration, that the resolution and its preamble be agreed to en 
bloc; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc; 
and that any statements appear in the Record as if read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the resolution was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 257) and its preamble are as follows:

                              S. Res. 257

       Whereas the role of the Enola Gay during World War II was 
     momentous in helping to bring World War II to a merciful end, 
     which resulted in saving the lives of Americans and Japanese;
       Whereas the current script for the National Air and Space 
     Museum's exhibit on the Enola Gay is revisionist and 
     offensive to many World War II veterans;
       Whereas the Federal law states that ``the Smithsonian 
     Institute shall commemorate and display the contributions 
     made by the military forces of the Nation toward creating, 
     developing, and maintaining a free, peaceful, and independent 
     society and culture in the United States'';
       Whereas the Federal law also states that ``the valor and 
     sacrificial service of the men and women of the Armed Forces 
     shall be portrayed as an inspiration to the present and 
     future generations of America''; and
       Whereas, in memorializing the role of the United States in 
     armed conflict, the National Air and Space Museum has an 
     obligation under the Federal law to portray history in the 
     proper context of the times: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that any 
     exhibit displayed by the National Air and Space Museum with 
     respect to the Enola Gay should reflect appropriate 
     sensitivity toward the men and women who faithfully and 
     selflessly served the United States during World War II and 
     should avoid impugning the memory of those who gave their 
     lives for freedom.

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