[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF FORT MONMOUTH TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY 
                              SIGNAL CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MICHAEL PAPPAS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 1998

  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to offer congratulations 
to the United States Army Signal Corps which is celebrating its 138th 
anniversary. In particular, I would like to recognize Fort Monmouth 
Army Base in my district, New Jersey's twelfth, which was ``home'' to 
the Signal Corps for 58 years of crucial advances in military 
communications.
  On June 21, 1860, the Signal Corps was born, the brainchild of Albert 
James Myer, an Army doctor who believed there should be a trained, 
professional military signal service. From its first use in New Mexico 
during a Navajo expedition, to its use during the Civil War, the 
Spanish American War, the two World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars 
to the present day, the Signal Corps has provided necessary 
communication devices which have protected the lives of the men and 
women who have advanced the cause of freedom.
  Fort Monmouth was ``home'' to the Signal Corps School from 1917 to 
1975. As the center for signal education, as well as major laboratory, 
Fort Monmouth played an important role in the major world conflicts of 
this time period. Early radiotelephones developed at Fort Monmouth were 
used in the European theater during World War I. The first Army radar 
was developed in 1938. This new technology, as well as the development 
of the tactical FM radio, were important communications devices which 
helped to lead the Allies to victory in World War II. These innovations 
are still used today, by military and non-military alike.
  Fort Monmouth has also made major contributions to the development of 
space communications. ``Project Diana'' in 1946 successfully bounced 
electronic signals off of the moon, a milestone on the road to space 
communication. Solar-powered batteries, typewriters for space shuttles, 
and communications satellites were some of the other advances developed 
at Fort Monmouth. Though no longer home to the Signal School, Fort 
Monmouth continues to serve as an important technological logistics, 
and training center. Today, Fort Monmouth serves as home to CECOM, the 
Army's Communication and Electronic Command.
  I would like to thank the men and women of Fort Monmouth for their 
continuing dedication to the protection and promotion of freedom. I am 
confident that their important work will continue well into the next 
millennium.

                          ____________________