[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Thurmond, and Mrs. 
        Feinstein):
  S.J. Res. 30. A joint resolution designating March 1, 1998 as 
``United States Navy Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day,'' and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.


                  U.S. NAVY ASIATIC FLEET MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
recognize the sailors and marines who served in the U.S. Asiatic Fleet 
throughout the Far East. During the Asiatic Fleet's existence from 1910 
to 1942, the fleet was an instrumental component of American national 
security and diplomacy.
  The U.S. Asiatic Fleet, the successor to the old Asiatic Station and 
precursor to today's 7th Fleet, maintained an important presence 
throughout Southeast Asian waters. Initially operating between coastal 
China and the Philippines, the fleet's activities expanded to include 
operations in Russian waters and the straits and narrows encompassing 
Malaysia and Indonesia.
  In these critical regions, the fleet's men and women supported 
American security interests and the safety of citizens abroad during 
civil wars and international conflicts. During one of the greatest 
natural disasters, the Yangtze flood of 1931, which killed 150,000 
people, the fleet rendered aide and assistance to Americans and 
Chinese. Through these actions, the fleet demonstrated the commitment 
of the United States to an important area of the world during a dynamic 
period in history.
  During the last years of Asiatic Fleet operations, sailors and 
marines courageously distinguished themselves by defending against the 
tidal wave of Japanese aggression. Facing the modern Japanese armada 
were the fleet's 3 cruisers, 13 WWI-vintage destroyers, 29 submarines 
and a handful of gunboats and patrol aircraft. Against overwhelming 
odds, the fleet defended the Philippines until the evacuation was 
ordered and fought the continued expansion of the Japanese throughout 
the South Pacific. Many of those defenders were captured or killed in 
these heroic battles.
  It is important that we pause to remember the valor and spirit of 
these dedicated servicemen. For that reason, I am introducing a 
resolution which will designate March 1, 1998, the 56th anniversary of 
the sinking of the Asiatic Fleet's flagship, the U.S.S. Houston, by 
Japanese Imperial Forces, as ``United States Navy Asiatic Fleet 
Memorial Day.'' I invite my colleagues to support this resolution.
  

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