[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 77 (Monday, June 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1127]]



           CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE FOR THE ARMY'S BIRTHDAY 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 15, 1998

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, before there was a United States of 
America, there was an American Army, born on June 14, 1775. On the town 
square of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a small group of American colonists 
came to form an army, under the authority of the Continental Congress. 
Today, we look back over those 223 years and see clearly that the 
forming of the colonial Army was the prelude to the birth of our 
nation.
  The Army's Birthday marks over two centuries of selfless service to 
the United States of America by more than 42 million Americans, who 
have raised their right hands to take an oath, both in times of crisis 
and in peace. Since that distant day, the nation, like our Army, has 
evolved, but the liberty it stands for remains constant, as does the 
Army's constant vigil to protect that liberty.
  We look back to those early days, during the genesis of the ideas 
that would give birth to the United States of America. A nation--this 
nation--was preparing for its violent birth--a ripping apart of the 
bonds between the colony on the American continent and the mother 
country across the ocean. It all started with words. Patriots spoke 
publicly with bold rhetoric and other pamphleteers made the case for 
independence with the printed word, beckoning fellow citizens to resist 
oppression and insist on their inalienable rights. But in the end, 
independence was won on the field of battle, largely through the heroic 
deeds, sacrifices, and sustained determination of its newly created 
army.
  From that victory on the battlefield, a nation emerged offering the 
boldest experiment of government in the history of mankind. Freedom 
sprung from its roots. As it was during its birth, America today is a 
haven for freedom-seeking people everywhere. Other nations perceive our 
country as a place where freedom flourishes within its own borders and 
where the citizens care about the freedom of other peoples. For over 
two centuries, our nation has stood up against despots, totalitarians, 
and tyrants wherever they erupted. We are people who have taken 
seriously our mandate to be a shining beacon of freedom and a 
torchbearer for democracy for the entire world. Every step of the way, 
America's Army has been there to help those in need and carry the 
mantle of freedom's call.
  We have witnessed the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the 
Warsaw Pact. These developments offer unparalleled opportunities for 
democracy to spread and flourish, but freedom is still endangered or 
absent in many parts of the world. To help satisfy that quest for 
freedom and stability, our Army is there.
  The traditional purpose of our Army has always been to fight and win 
our nation's wars--to gain decisive victory on the battlefield and to 
prevail anywhere in the world, whenever or wherever the country needed 
us to fight. Today, however, our Army is called upon to perform in more 
demanding roles in more complicated scenarios involving America's 
interests. Victory in today's complex world means more than destroying 
an opponent's army. In the ever-changing world we live in, victory 
means helping keep the peace in Bosnia and in Macedonia. It means 
working with close allies on the Korean Peninsula to deter a heavily 
armed state to the north. Victory means restoring democracy in Haiti 
and saving lives by producing and delivering clean water to refugees in 
Africa. Victory means protecting our borders from drugs. The men and 
women of the United States Army have demonstrated time and again that 
they are trained and ready to respond anywhere in the world when called 
upon. Today's Army is a full-spectrum force. The people of the United 
States can be confident that our Army today can project power 
internationally, to deter potential adversaries and protect vital 
interests. On the home front, our Army stands ready to support civilian 
authorities in domestic emergencies. Whatever the need, our Army is 
there.
  The nation should be proud of the achievements of our soldiers, men 
and women, who play a critical role in our nation's efforts to help 
shape the international security environment. This past year, for the 
first time, the Army had soldiers deployed in 100 countries. On any 
given day during the year, 30,000 soldiers are deployed to more than 70 
countries on joint and combined operations and exercises.
  Proud of the past role played throughout the history of our nation, 
America's Army remains vigilant to the dangers of today while 
simultaneously preparing for future challenges. The Army is harnessing 
the tremendous potential of technology to achieve information 
dominance. This dominance will allow the Army to do things never before 
possible on the battlefield and in other military operations around the 
globe. America's Army is actively leading the way into the 21st 
Century. That position of leadership will ensure that the United States 
maintains the world's best Army, today and into the future.
  In the midst of these missions and prospects, the Army rightfully 
maintains a focus on our nation's most valuable resource--our people. 
In America's Army, we see clear examples of American ideals. We see 
drug free Americans living in law-abiding communities. We see men and 
women of different ethnic groups and religions working together in 
pursuit of common goals. We see the Total Army Team--active, National 
Guard and Reserve soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, and 
families--working together for the benefit of the nation. On this, the 
Army's 223rd birthday, we honor their dedication and selfless service 
to the Army and the nation.
  Soldiers willingly pay a heavy price. To be a soldier is to bear 
seemingly insufferable burdens--the physical burdens of hard and 
demanding work, the emotional burdens of separation from family and 
friends, and the lonely burdens of leadership. Indeed, to be a soldier, 
is to be changed in ways that can never be undone. To be a soldier is 
to believe in something other than what one can achieve as an 
individual. On this day--the Army's Birthday--we pause to remember what 
it means to believe in something greater than ourselves. To be a 
soldier means to believe that what we do for our country and for people 
we may never know truly matters.
  America's Army, stands ready today as it has for the past 223 years. 
Whenever the call comes, wherever the danger, and whatever the mission, 
the Army will be ready.

                          ____________________