[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NORAD'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today to pay 
tribute to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD as it 
is commonly known. Today NORAD is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and 
I wish to congratulate them on a job well done.
  Located in Colorado Springs, NORAD is charged with the mission of 
aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America. Since the 
first binational agreement was signed in 1958 between the United States 
and Canada, NORAD has faithfully carried out the task of early warning 
missile and manned aircraft detection. In addition to serving as a 
vital component of our national defense, NORAD also assists in the 
detection and monitoring of aircraft suspected of illegal drug 
trafficking.
  Originally conceived as a defense against long-range Soviet bombers, 
NORAD has always adapted well to changes in the global national 
security arena. The evolving threat of nuclear-tipped intercontinental 
ballistic missiles during the Cold War era increased and expanded 
NORAD's focus to that of a long-range missile attack. It was the early 
detection capability that I think helped deter nuclear war. I salute 
NORAD on its 40th anniversary.

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