[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H5495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEDAL OF HONOR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. McHale] is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McHALE. Madam Speaker, for the last 2 nights I have joined 
millions of Americans in watching the Rough Riders on Turner 
Broadcasting. When Teddy Roosevelt served as Assistant Secretary of the 
Navy, he argued vigorously that the United States should intervene in 
Cuba and be prepared for possible war with Spain. In what was for Teddy 
Roosevelt characteristic language, he said, ``I had deeply felt it was 
our duty to free Cuba, and I publicly expressed this feeling; and when 
a man takes such a position, he ought to be willing to make his words 
good by his deeds. He should pay with his body.''
  So, in that spirit, Teddy Roosevelt resigned his office and offered 
to serve as a lieutenant colonel with the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, 
what history now calls the Rough Riders.
  On July 1, 1898, in what Roosevelt would call for the rest of his 
life his crowded hour, he placed his body on the line. He backed up his 
words with his courage. Leading two vicious bloody assaults on Kettle 
Hill and the San Juan Heights, Teddy Roosevelt made history and led his 
men with extraordinary valor.
  The fighting was brutal. Four hundred ninety Rough Riders went into 
battle that day; 89 were killed or wounded, the heaviest loss suffered 
by any regiment in the cavalry division.
  From the beginning to the very end, Theodore Roosevelt was at the 
forefront of battle, leading by example, encouraging his men, oblivious 
to danger, firing his revolver at point-blank range and killing the 
enemy with his own hand, this future president of the United States 
displayed extraordinary valor under the most difficult of combat 
conditions.
  Gen. Leonard Wood, Roosevelt's commanding officer, recommended 
Roosevelt for the Medal of Honor with the following citation: Colonel 
Roosevelt led a very desperate and extremely gallant charge on San Juan 
Hill, thereby setting a splendid example to the troops and encouraging 
them to pass over the open country. In leading this charge, he started 
off first. He then returned and gathered a few men and led them in the 
charge, an extremely gallant one, and the example set a most inspiring 
one to the troops in that part of the line.
  Madam Speaker, by universal consensus among the officers and men who 
witnessed Roosevelt's bravery, he had earned our Nation's highest 
military decoration. But he never received it.
  During the weeks after the battle for San Juan Heights, Roosevelt 
watched with mounting frustration as his men suffered and died from 
tropical disease. Angered by Roosevelt's public statements that the 
Rough Riders should be brought home as quickly as possible, Secretary 
of War Alger refused to sign Roosevelt's Medal of Honor citation.
  As a result, Col. Theodore Roosevelt was denied the recognition he 
had earned in battle. Edith Roosevelt, after Teddy's death, said that 
the failure to receive the Medal of Honor was one of the most bitter 
disappointments of his life.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to tell you that it is not too late to 
correct that injustice. Later this week I will be introducing 
legislation with my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Cunningham], authorizing the Medal of Honor for Col. Theodore 
Roosevelt, First United States Volunteer Cavalry, for extraordinary 
bravery under enemy fire. Members wishing to be original cosponsors 
should contact my office.
  A century of political retry bugs and injustice can now be corrected 
by the posthumous recognition of Teddy Roosevelt's courage.

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