[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 64 (Monday, May 22, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H3491-H3493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GENERAL LEAVE
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H. Con. Res. 302.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, President Calvin Coolidge once said, ``The nation which
forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.''
President Coolidge's words highlight the reason we must never forget
those who have sacrificed everything for the defense of this country.
They are also one of the main reasons why I rise today in strong
support of House Concurrent Resolution 302, sponsored by our
colleagues, the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) and the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha).
This bipartisan resolution calls upon the American people this
Memorial Day to join together and observe a National Moment of
Remembrance to honor the men and women who died in the pursuit of
freedom and peace. The resolution also asks the President to issue a
proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe at 3
p.m. local time a National Moment of Remembrance for all those who
fought for our country.
To put it succinctly, Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this resolution is
to put the ``memorial'' back in ``Memorial Day.'' It is intended to
serve as a reminder that a day has been set aside for us to formally
recognize and give thanks for the efforts of those who have served in
uniform.
Unfortunately, the meaning of this special day is slowly fading from
our national conscience. In May 1996, children touring Lafayette Park
here in our Nation's capital were asked about the meaning of Memorial
Day. Their answer was ``That's the day the pools open.''
That exchange, which occurred right across the street from the White
House, sparked the idea of a Moment of Remembrance to remind us all why
we celebrate Memorial Day. This movement has been led by one of
America's premier humanitarian organizations, No Greater Love.
Thanks to the efforts of this dedicated organization, 1997 was the
first day in our history that ``Taps'' was played at 3 p.m. on Memorial
Day in locations throughout the country. This simple but meaningful
remembrance continued in 1998 and 1999. And how appropriate that
dignified ceremony is.
No one can hear that solitary bugle's music without reflecting on the
many fallen heroes at whose funerals it has been played over the years.
These heroes were men and women who, in this century alone, saw us
through two world wars, conflicts in Korea and
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Vietnam, and more, recently, the victory in the Persian Gulf. Their
strength also led us through a Cold War and laid the groundwork for
democracy and freedom to flourish worldwide.
Mr. Speaker, in an article entitled ``Freedom's Worth,'' Marine Lt.
Col. Jeff Douglass described an incident that he experienced while
waiting for a flight in Sarajevo while serving on assignment with NATO
forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I want to quote from this article to give us all a better
understanding of what is behind this resolution.
While waiting for the flight from Sarajevo to Vienna, I
found myself in a conversation with a gentleman named Peter.
Peter was departing Sarajevo after gathering research for a
book he was writing. As we stood waiting for the flight,
Peter pointed to my passport and said, ``Do you know what
that is worth?'' I looked at him, then at my passport. ``I'm
afraid I don't understand,'' I replied.
He glanced at me with a puzzled look, then laughed. ``Of
course,'' he said. ``Forgive me, I forgot. You Americans do
not realize the blessings you have. So many in this world
envy you, and you do not know what you have.''
Peter pointed to the people who filled the terminal and
waited for the same flight. There in the fog of tobacco smoke
and the physical evidence of damage caused by the recent war,
many travelers looked sad, saying good-bye to loved ones and
friends.
As we watched, Peter continued his comments. ``You see,
freedom is what these people cherish. It is such a dream for
many. Here, as in the case for many countries, families are
willing to send their young away to freedom, in spite of the
pain. You Americans are a lighthouse beacon for freedom and I
wonder if you realize this.''
{time} 1500
Mr. Speaker, this resolution invites all Americans to keep in mind
how blessed we are to live in this land of the free. But more
important, by encouraging all of us to take one minute this Memorial
Day to remember the thousands of young men and women who have given
their lives to defend this Nation, it will give us a better
understanding of the high price of the liberties we enjoy.
And our children will learn that there is much more, much more to
Memorial Day than a day at the beach or the pool. They will also better
understand the meaning of these words President Lincoln penned to Mrs.
Bixby upon learning of the death of her five sons who died on Civil War
battlefields.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be my word of mine which
should attempt to beguile from the grief of a loss so
overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the
consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic
they died to serve.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to offer this legislation for consideration,
and I encourage all my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the ranking member of the
subcommittee, I am pleased to offer these remarks in support of H. Con.
Res. 302, calling on the people of the United States to observe a
national moment of remembrance to honor the men and women of the United
States who died in pursuit of freedom and peace.
Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago, No Greater Love, a nonprofit organization
providing annual programs for those who lost loved ones in service to
our country, initiated the national moment of remembrance. No Greater
Love is committed to freedom, human dignity, and the idea that the
beginning of the end of war lies in remembrance. It is because of this
commitment that No Greater Love sought to remind Americans of the true
meaning of Memorial Day, which began in 1865 in Waterloo, New York.
Henry C. Wells, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, mentioned at a
social gathering that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of
the Civil War by decorating their graves. In the spring of 1866, the
townspeople adopted the idea and placed wreaths, crosses, and bouquets
on each Union veteran's grave. The village is decorated with flags at
half mast and draped with greenery and black streamers.
In May 1968, General John A. Logan, First Commander of the Grand Army
of the Republic, issued General Order Number 11, establishing
Decoration Day, now commonly referred to as Memorial Day. Waterloo
joined other communities in celebrating the first official recognition
of Memorial Day on May 30.
On the second of this month, President Clinton adopted No Greater
Love's cause and issued a memorandum to all heads of executive
departments and agencies directing them to promote and provide
resources to support a national moment of remembrance on Memorial Day.
This great institution can act by supporting H. Con. Res. 302.
This resolution introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr.
Rohrabacher) calls on the people of the United States to observe a
national moment of remembrance to honor the men and women of the United
States who died in pursuit of freedom and peace. The moment of
remembrance would take place at 3 p.m. each Memorial Day to provide
Americans with an opportunity to participate in a symbolic act of
American unity.
Let us reclaim the vision of Henry Wells and the townspeople of
Waterloo by passing this resolution and recommitting ourselves to truly
honor the men and women who died for the freedom and peace we enjoy.
Today, I congratulate the sponsor and cosponsors of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) and the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) for introducing this
resolution. And I thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton),
chairman of the Committee on Government Reform; the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Scarborough), chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil
Service; and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman); and the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the ranking members,
respectively, of the Government Reform Committee and the Subcommittee
on Civil Service, for expediting passage of this resolution. I thank
the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for bringing
this to the floor as well and for her strong support of it.
To close, Mr. Speaker, let me quote from a poem that captures perhaps
more than any other, those emotions and realities that are symbolized
by Memorial Day. This poem entitled ``In Flanders Fields'' serves as a
lasting legacy to the terrible battles of World War I and to all the
servicemen and women who have dedicated themselves to defending the
freedoms we enjoy today.
``In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my sincere
appreciation to Committee Chairman Dan Burton, Subcommittee Chairman
Joe Scarborough, Ms. Judy Biggert, Ms. Eleanor Holmes-Norton, and other
Members and staff of the House Government Reform Committee supporting
this bipartisan resolution that honors the brave American men and women
who have died defending freedom and peace. H. Con. Res. 302 calls on
the people of the United States to observe a National Moment of
Remembrance on Memorial Day.
The voluntary moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time in the various
time zones that span our great nation, will offer all Americans the
opportunity to participate in a symbolic act of national unity. In
addition, this effort will reinforce the true meaning of Memorial Day
and call attention to the high price that has been paid by Americans of
all walks of life to win and defend our freedom, from George
Washington's revolutionary forces to those heroes who have perished in
more recent military actions from the Persian Gulf to Somalia to the
Balkans.
In my personal experience, I grew up in a military family during the
Cold War. My father, Colonel Donald Rohrabacher, a Marine Corps
aviator, was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was also
among thousands of Americans who participated in dangerous experimental
military missions to develop the weapons systems that led to our
technological advantage and ultimate Cold War victory. In
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particular, he commanded aviators participating in developing the
methods of delivering nuclear weapons from tactical aircraft.
I recall my mother and father making Commander's condolence calls on
the wives and children of members of his unit who perished in
developing the dangerous aviation maneuvers. It was tragic that,
because of the then-secret nature of this critical national security
mission, the families never knew the true nature and importance of
their sacrifices. They were told only that their loved ones perished in
``training'' exercises. I will never forget the faces of those widows
and their children who were my playmates.
This resolution asks all Americans to recall and honor the sacrifices
of these men and all of the others who made the ultimate sacrifice for
our freedom. I extend gratitude to Carmella LaSpada, the director of
the non-profit No Greater Love organization, who originated the idea
for the National Moment of Silence. From the middle of the Vietnam War,
No Greater Love has worked with the families of deceased service
members and those missing in action, organized celebrities to conduct
hospital visits for wounded veterans and has conducted Memorial Day
remembrance ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this
resolution for a National Moment of Remembrance.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con.
Res. 302, legislation calling for a National moment of remembrance to
honor the men and women who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace. I
urge my colleagues to join in supporting this timely and appropriate
measure.
This bill provides for a minute of remembrance to occur on each
Memorial Day at 3 p.m., local time, for the population to pause and
remember all those who selflessly gave their lives in defending the
cause of freedom. It further calls on the President to issue a
proclamation calling for the same.
Mr. Speaker, Memorial Day is a solemn occasion, that all too often in
recent years, has become simply the unofficial start of summer or
another excuse for a retail sale. Perhaps this is the result of the
past near 30 years of relative peace.
Whatever the reason, it is important that we not forget the original
reason for the founding of Memorial Day. This legislation will help to
prevent this. We need to honor the memories of those who died to secure
the blessings of liberty that we enjoy today. For this reason, I urge
my colleagues to give their support to this worthy measure.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) that
the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution,
House Concurrent Resolution 302.
The question was taken.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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