[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 
                    U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 1997

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I ask all Members of the House to 
join me in honoring the limitless contributions, valorous acts, and 
tremendous sacrifices demonstrated daily by the men and women of the 
U.S. Special Operations Command [USSOCOM]. As we observe the 10th 
anniversary of the creation of USSOCOM, we should make note of the 
unique military capability provided to our National Command Authority.
  The immeasurable achievement of USSOCOM since its birth--a scant 10 
years ago--is testament to the vision, forethought, and dedication of 
those who have come before us in service of our Nation. We should also 
recognize the work of our former colleagues Sam Nunn, Bill Cohen, and 
the late Dan Daniel, effort essential for the existence of this 
command. Their efforts led to passage of the Nunn-Cohen amendment to 
what is known as the Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act.
  The special operators of USSOCOM--``the quiet professionals''--are 
truly dedicated men and women. They provide a unique, unmatched, and 
necessary capability to our Nation in the areas of contingency 
response, counterterrorism, and unconventional warfare. Whether 
conflict erupts in Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, Liberia, Haiti, 
Bosnia, or some other unnamed site around the globe, we should gain 
comfort knowing they stand ready to serve our national security 
objectives. I hope my colleagues can join in recognizing their 
tradition. God bless them all.

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