[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E703-E704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COMMENDING AMERICANS WHO SERVED IN THE COLD WAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 1997

  Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce a concurrent 
resolution commending those Americans who serviced during the cold war.
  Fifty years ago this July, George Kennan, in his article ``The 
Sources of Soviet Conduct,'' defined the challenge facing America with 
the onset of the cold war. After describing the expansionist and 
totalitarian nature of the Soviet state, Kennan called for ``a policy 
of firm containment, designed to confront the Russians with unalterable 
counterforce at every point where they show signs of encroaching upon 
the interests of a peaceful and stable world.'' Kennan was convinced 
that the Soviet dictatorship would eventually be undermined by its own 
internal weaknesses. But until that happened, he exhorted Americans to 
face ``this implacable challenge'' by drawing upon the strength of our 
national character. In Kennan's memorable words: ``To avoid destruction 
the United States need only measure up to its won best traditions and 
prove itself worthy of preservation as a great nation.'' He concluded 
that the American people, in standing up to totalitarian aggression, 
were shouldering the ``Responsibilities of moral and political 
leadership that history plainly intended them to bear.
  We look back today at this stirring call to action and see how 
history has confirmed Kennan's words. The Soviet Regime, a regime which 
accepted no moral or legal restraints, which aggressively sought to 
recast the rest of the world in its image, which subordinated all its 
natural and human resources to building a vast military machine, has 
collapsed. America, in contrast, stands strong in the durability of its 
democracy, the dynamism of its economy, and the vitality of its 
citizens. Clearly, we have met and surpassed the implacable challenge 
described by George Kennan as he surveyed events in those dark early 
days of the cold war.
  It is now time to recognize all of those Americans who served during 
the cold war. The men and women of our Armed Forces, our intelligence 
community, our foreign service, and many other areas of our government 
met the challenge of the cold war with skill and dedication. Americans 
served in every corner of the globe, often isolated from family and 
friends, sometimes under the most arduous conditions. some laid down 
their lives when the cold war turned hot in places like Korea and 
Vietnam. Others accepted discomfort, loneliness, and risk while 
maintaining our military readiness against a foe capable of launching a 
devastating attack with little notice. All of them lived up to 
America's best traditions and ensured America's preservation as a great 
nations
  Through their efforts, almost 500 million people have been freed from 
Communist tyranny. Nations once submerged by Soviet imperialism can now 
claim their rightful place in the international community. Fears of a 
nuclear holocaust now seem a distant memory.
  For Americans, the cold war ended with no parades, no fanfare, no 
speeches. After a conflict where so much was a stake, not enough

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has been done to acknowledge our country's victory and our debt to 
those who make it possible.
  During the 104th Congress, my resolution honoring Americans who 
served during the cold war passed the House of Representatives by a 
unanimous vote. Unfortunately, the resolution did not come up for a 
vote in the Senate.
  It is now time to recognize all Americans who served during the long, 
demanding years of the cold war. We are worthy of preservation as a 
great nation because so many of our most talented and dedicated 
citizens did their part for so long in a conflict that seemed endless.

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