[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN SUPPORT OF OUR TROOPS

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise to pay tribute to the 
American troops who are helping implement peace in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina. In the words of Mrs. Janet Maguire, one of the 
constituents I have the privilege to represent, ``The men and women are 
prepared to give the ultimate sacrifice if need be and we should not 
take them for granted.''
  Mrs. Maguire epitomizes both the pride and concern that Americans 
have for the members of our Armed Forces. In her letter to me she 
states ``They [our troops] have agreed to go to a strange land and risk 
their lives to ensure peace and the least we as Americans can do is 
give them our support and let them know they will not be forgotten.'' 
Because of her efforts, the St. Clair Shores City Council passed a 
resolution calling for all citizens to ``support our service men and 
women by flying the flag and keeping them and their families in our 
thoughts and prayers.'' I applaud Mrs. Maguire and the city's leaders 
for their show of support.
  I am proud of the fact the American troops are saving lives in 
Bosnia. We in the United States have a moral duty to stand up for peace 
whenever possible. To do so is in our national interest and is in 
keeping with the ideals on which our Nation was founded. For 220 years 
we have sent American men and women overseas, not just to defend 
American interests, but to defend American values--to stand up for 
freedom, democrary, and human rights. This is what America stands for. 
And that is why we should all be proud of our troops who are carrying 
out their missions in support of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 
professional excellence, dedicated patriotism, and exemplary bravery.
  We have a responsibility to support these brave men and women and 
give them the resources needed to protect themselves against threats 
and minimize risk. I ask all Americans to join with me, Mrs. Janet 
Maguire, and the St. Clair Shores City Council in flying the flag and 
support our troops while they pave the road to peace in the former 
Yugoslavia.