[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2974-S2975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RESOLUTION TO COMMEND SENATOR J. ROBERT KERREY

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senators 
Daschle and Edwards and the other cosponsors of this resolution 
commending our friend and colleague Bob Kerrey on the 30th anniversary 
of the events giving rise to his receiving the Medal of Honor.
  During my tenure as Secretary of the Navy, I had the honor and 
privilege of working with a great many brave men and women--citizens of 
all stripes who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to serve 
their country. One especially courageous naval officer was Lieutenant 
(j.g.) Joseph Robert Kerrey.
  Thirty years ago last Sunday in Vietnam, Bob Kerrey lead a SEAL team 
mission aimed at capturing certain Viet Cong leaders. While leading 
this dangerous mission, he was badly wounded as a grenade exploded at 
his feet. Despite suffering massive injuries from this explosion and 
being in a state of near-unconsciousness, Lieutenant Kerrey did not 
give up. He continued to lead his men, ordering them to secure and 
defend an extraction site.
  For his heroism in combat, Lieutenant Kerrey was awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor. And just what is this award? It is the 
highest award for valor in action that can be bestowed upon a member of 
the armed forces.
  The Medal of Honor was created in the days of the Civil War through 
legislation sponsored by Senator James Grimes, chairman of the Senate 
Naval Committee, with the support of Navy Secretary Gideon Wells and 
President Abraham Lincoln. At that time, although serving in the 
military was required of all men, it had become clear that some 
servicemembers went ``above and beyond the call of duty.''
  So, the first two hundred medals were presented to those who 
distinguished themselves in the Civil War by their gallantry in action 
and other

[[Page S2975]]

qualities. Less than thirty-five hundred medals have been authorized to 
date, and just 158 are living today.
  One of those 158 living recipients is a colleague of ours here in the 
Senate--a colleague I will surely miss upon my retirement. I think all 
Senators, and indeed all Americans, ought to take this moment to 
recognize Bob Kerrey's heroic action on that day in 1969, when he 
displayed immense bravery in the face of overwhelming adversity.
  Today--thirty years later--Bob Kerrey continues to exhibit the kind 
of dedication and honor that earned him the Medal of Honor. Just one 
example of Senator Kerrey's distinction as a Senator is the countless 
hours he had devoted to curbing the politically popular entitlement 
programs that have contributed so greatly to our staggering national 
debt. Taking on this issue isn't the easiest thing for an elected 
official to do--it is a task fraught with political danger. But Bob 
Kerrey knows that it's the right thing to do for our nation, and that 
is why he continues to persevere.
  My colleagues here today will provide numerous other examples of Bob 
Kerry's accomplishments as a U.S. Senator. Given his heroism during my 
tenure as Navy Secretary, these accomplishments come as no surprise. I 
am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution, and thank Senators 
Daschle and Edwards for their leadership in bringing it to the Senate 
floor.

                          ____________________