[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H426-H429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE MADE BY 28 UNITED STATES SOLDIERS
KILLED DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 39) honoring the
ultimate sacrifice made by 28 United States soldiers killed by an Iraqi
missile attack on February 25, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, and
resolving to support appropriate and effective theater missile defense
programs.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 39
Whereas, during Operation Desert Storm, Iraq launched a
Scud missile at Dhahran,
[[Page H427]]
Saudi Arabia early in the evening of February 25, 1991;
Whereas one Patriot missile battery on a Dhahran airfield
was not operational and another nearby battery did not track
the Scud missile effectively;
Whereas the Scud missile hit a warehouse serving as a
United States Army barracks in the Dhahran suburb of Al
Khobar, killing 28 soldiers and injuring 100 other soldiers;
Whereas the thoughts and prayers of the Congress and the
country remain with the families of these soldiers;
Whereas this single incident resulted in more United States
combat casualties than any other in Operation Desert Storm
and since;
Whereas Scud missile attacks paralyzed the country of
Israel during Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas the Patriot missile batteries, which were used in
Operation Desert Storm for missile defense, were not
originally designed for missile defense;
Whereas the United States and our allies still have not
fielded advanced theater missile defenses;
Whereas missile technology proliferation makes missile
attacks on United States forces increasingly possible; and
Whereas February 25, 2001, is the 10th anniversary of the
Scud missile attack which caused the deaths of these brave
soldiers who died in service to their country: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) on behalf of the American people, extends its sympathy
and thanks to the families of Specialist Steven E. Atherton,
Corporal Stanley Bartusiak, Specialist John A. Boliver, Jr.,
Sergeant Joseph P. Bongiorni III, Sergeant John T. Boxler,
Specialist Beverly S. Clark, Sergeant Allen B. Craver,
Corporal Rolando A. Delagneau, Specialist Steven P. Farnen,
Specialist Duane W. Hollen, Jr., Specialist Glen D. Jones,
Specialist Frank S. Keough, Specialist Anthony E. Madison,
Specialist Steven G. Mason, Specialist Christine L. Mayes,
Specialist Michael W. Mills, Specialist Adrienne L. Mitchell,
Specialist Ronald D. Rennison, Private First Class Timothy A.
Shaw, Specialist Steven J. Siko, Corporal Brian K. Simpson,
Specialist Thomas G. Stone, Specialist James D. Tatum,
Private First Class Robert C. Wade, Sergeant Frank J. Walls,
Corporal Jonathan M. Williams, Specialist Richard V.
Wolverton, and Specialist James E. Worthy, all of whom were
killed by an Iraqi missile attack on February 25, 1991, while
in service to their country; and
(2) resolves to support appropriate and effective theater
missile defense programs to help prevent attacks on forward
deployed United States forces from occurring again.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon).
General Leave
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks on House Concurrent Resolution 39.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago 2 days ago on Sunday, February 25, the
largest loss of American life in military conflict in the last 10 years
took place in Desert Storm as a group of American soldiers were
involved in setting up an operation to support Operation Desert Storm.
Unfortunately, a Scud missile was launched by Saddam Hussein's units
into the barracks, and as a result, 28 young Americans were killed and
99 others were seriously injured.
Today we offer this resolution jointly as a bipartisan memorial to
these brave individuals. I am pleased to be the original cosponsor with
our good friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), whose
district half of these brave young Americans resided in.
We are also pleased to have the distinguished ranking member of the
Committee on Armed Services with us, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Skelton), who is one of the sponsors of this legislation, and our good
friend, the gentleman from El Paso, Texas (Mr. Reyes).
Mr. Speaker, what a tragedy this was as 28 young Americans were
snuffed out in the prime of their lives because of Saddam Hussein's
attack on them in a cowardly manner, without any forewarning. In fact,
it was 8:40 p.m. on February 25 when parts of a Scud missile destroyed
the barracks housing members of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment in
the single most devastating attack on U.S. forces during that war.
Ninety-nine others were killed. The 14th Quartermaster Detachment from
Pennsylvania lost 13 soldiers and suffered 43 wounded. Casualties were
evacuated to medical facilities in Saudi Arabia and Germany. The 14th,
which had been in Saudi Arabia only 6 days, suffered the greatest
number of casualties of any allied unit during Operation Desert Storm.
Eighty-one percent of the unit's 69 soldiers had been killed or
wounded.
During the ensuing 10 years, Mr. Speaker, a number of significant
events have taken place to honor the memory of these brave individuals.
Tonight we pay special recognition on the 10th anniversary to
Specialist Steven Atherton, 26 years old; Specialist John Boliver, 27
years old; Sergeant Joseph Bongiorni, III, 20 years old; Sergeant John
Boxler, 44 years old; Specialist Beverly Clark, 23 years old; Sergeant
Allen Craver, 32 years old; Specialist Frank Keough, 22 years old;
Specialist Anthony Madison, 27 years old; Specialist Christine Mayes,
22 years old; Specialist Stephen Siko, 24 years old; Specialist Thomas
Stone, 20 years old; Specialist Frank Walls, 20 years old; Specialist
Richard Wolverton, 22 years old, all from the 14th Detachment.
From other units: Corporal Stanley Bartusiak, 34 years old; Corporal
Rolando Delagneau, 30 years old; Specialist Steven Farnen, 22 years
old; Specialist Glen Jones, 21 years old; Specialist Duane Hollen, Jr.,
24 years old; Specialist Steven Mason, 23 years old; Specialist Michael
Mills, 23 years old; Specialist Adrienne Mitchell, 20 years old;
Specialist Ronald Rennison, 21 years old; Private First Class Timothy
Shaw, 21 years old; Corporal Brian Simpson, 22 years old; Specialist
James Tatum, 22 years old; Private First Class Robert Wade, 31 years
old; Corporal Jonathan Williams, 23 years old; and Specialist James
Worthy, 22 years old.
Mr. Speaker, tonight we pay a special tribute to these brave
Americans who paid the ultimate price and made the supreme sacrifice on
behalf of their country. But Mr. Speaker, the outrage is that 10 years
later America still has not yet deployed a highly effective theater
missile defense system to protect our troops from further attacks of
this type.
Mr. Speaker, that is a national embarrassment and a national
disgrace, that 10 years after we had the largest loss of life from the
military forces of this country in a Scud attack, a low-complexity Scud
attack, we still have not deployed the highly effective system to
protect our troops from further attacks of this type.
Mr. Speaker, we must do better. I ask our colleagues to join with us
in this battle for effective missile defense.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate this, and I rise in support of House
Concurrent Resolution 39. This bill is cosponsored by my two friends,
the gentlemen from Pennsylvania, Mr. Murtha and Mr. Weldon. I
compliment the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) on his efforts.
{time} 1530
This bill honors the 28 American soldiers who were killed by an Iraqi
SCUD missile on February, 25, 10 years ago, 1991, during the Persian
Gulf War. This missile attack caused more United States casualties than
any other single incident during the conflict, and it is altogether
fitting that we pay tribute to those who gave their lives for their
country as a result of this attack. It is particularly poignant when
nearly all of those killed come from the single unit, from a single
geographic region, in a single State, in this case, the State of
Pennsylvania.
I might add that those 28 young Guardsmen all left families, all
suffered the pain and anxiety of loss of a loved one.
Mr. Speaker, if I may, I well remember experiencing a family going
through that same agony. In April of 1941, Fort Hood, Texas, I was
present when the parents of a young soldier named Cooper were presented
a Silver Star posthumously as this young Cooper, as on that same
occasion of Desert
[[Page H428]]
Storm, threw himself on top of a downed American soldier and incoming
artillery shell killed him.
So I understand. My sympathy goes out to the families.
At this time, though, I would add, Mr. Speaker, that recognizing
those specific ones that are mentioned here, or the ones that I
mentioned, in no way diminishes the honor or the reverence that we hold
for the other service members who were killed or were wounded during
Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm.
I publicly extend the same sympathy and thanks to all the families of
those who lost loved ones during the Persian Gulf War. This is not just
a commemoration, Mr. Speaker. By adopting this resolution, we resolve
to support appropriate and effective theater missile defense so
American forces deployed forward will not be vulnerable to similar
missile attacks in the future.
Improving our theater missile defense capability is and should be an
integral part of our weapons modernization effort.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report that since the Persian Gulf War, we
have fielded the next generation of Patriot missiles known as PAC-3,
and we are rapidly developing the Medium Extended Air Range Defense
System which is known as MEADS. As a result, our forces today are far
better prepared to defend against the theater missile attack than it
was during the 1991 conflict.
These efforts have enjoyed strong support on both sides of the aisle.
This is a good bill. It honors outstanding Americans. It proposes a
sound policy.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and
I thank the gentleman for yielding the time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Reyes).
Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Skelton) for yielding me the time and the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Weldon).
Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of loss that I rise to remember
the 28 U.S. soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the evening of
February 25, 1991 when a Scud missile hit and destroyed the converted
warehouse where they were housed.
These men and women, most from the 14th Quartermaster Detachment, an
Army Reserve unit from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, had answered the call
and were serving their Nation when and where they were needed.
Although our air defenders tried valiantly to use the Patriot system
to protect our soldiers and our allies during the Gulf War, that system
was simply not designed for missile defense.
Since then, however, we have made great strides in the Patriot
program and are nearly ready to deploy the advanced Patriot system
called PAC-3. The PAC-3 system is proven to engage and destroy
ballistic missiles like Scuds. If this missile system had been in our
inventory 10 years ago, it could have prevented this Scud missile
tragedy.
Mr. Speaker, while we still have a long way to go to ensure the
safety, both here and abroad, from short-range ballistic missiles like
Scuds and from the expanding threat of longer-range ballistic missiles
like the No Dong missile. I believe we must continue to field the PAC-3
system throughout the Patriot force as quickly as possible.
We must continue our support for programs like THAAD, MEADS, and our
Navy theater missile defense program.
While in war-time, no system guarantees security. This, I find, would
be one of the best tributes to these 28 U.S. soldiers that we would
never run that risk again, simply by paying tribute to them through
prudent and careful exercising of deployment of the PAC-3 system.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to rise and acknowledge and support the comments
of my colleagues and say that we are making progress. I fully support
the PAC-3, the MEADS program which we are doing cooperatively with
Italy and Germany is moving along.
We have had tremendous success with the Arab program with Israel, and
we are now beginning discussions with our European friends and even our
Middle Eastern friends and our Far East Asia friends on how to promote
effective missile defense.
But I have to underscore the fact, Mr. Speaker, that missiles are the
weapon of choice of tyrants and dictators. Many of our colleagues talk
about the threats coming from a weapon of mass destruction or coming
from the illegal use of computer systems, and my colleagues and I have
been the first to acknowledge that they are real threats, the threats
of chemical, biological or nuclear attacks or the threats posed by a
cyberattack on our SMART systems. But the fact remains that the weapon
of choice of tyrants is the missile.
When Saddam Hussain chose to rain terror in Israel, he did not pick
suitcase bombs. He did not pick chemical or biological agents. He
picked the missiles to rain terror in Israel to which they could not
properly defend themselves against.
When Saddam Hussain decided to take out American soldiers, it was a
Scud missile he chose, a low-complexity Scud missile. He snuffed out 28
young lives, 6 days after they arrived. These were young people who
were mothers and sisters and sons and fathers. They were volunteer
firefighters, and they were local businesspeople who were called up as
reservists to serve the country. Yet America was not able to provide
the level of protection against those missiles.
Today, Mr. Speaker, over 70 nations in the world have missiles that
pose direct threats to our troops, our allies, and the people of
America.
Over 22 Nations today, Mr. Speaker, are building missiles and have
the capability of building enhanced missiles. In fact, Mr. Speaker,
that Scud missile that was used 10 years ago has been enhanced three
and four times by the North Koreans, by the Iranians, and by the
Iraqis. In fact, Iran is now working on a medium-ranged missile that
will soon threaten all of Israel.
The growth in the threat of these missiles has been unbelievably
aggressive. In fact, just since last September, when President Clinton
made a decision on our National Missile Defense Program, September 21,
Iran tested a brand-new Shehab 3 missile. The Shehab 3 missile is a
couple of steps above the Scud missile that killed our troops in Desert
Storm.
On September 24, Libya received its first 50 Nodongs. The Nodong is
an enhanced version of the Scud missile. Now Libya has at least 50 of
these missiles. In October, Russia tested mobile and silo-based TOPOL
MICBMs with a 6200 nautical mile range. In November, China conducted
tests, their second tests of the DF31. That test also included decoys
in the warhead.
In January, India conducted a second Agni test, another theater
missile.
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, around the world, the threat of offensive
missiles remains very real and very dangerous.
As we honor these brave Americans tonight, as we honor and pay
respects to not only what they did, but to their families for the
sacrifice that they made in having one of their loved ones stand up for
America at a time of need, and have their life snuffed out in the
process, it is absolutely essential that this House go on record as
saying with their votes that we want our government and our military to
continue the work that people like the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Skelton) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes) and the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) and Members on our side have been
proposing.
Aggressive theater missile defense systems that can protect our
troops and moving forward with missile defense programs that can
protect America and our allies, that is the least we can do, Mr.
Speaker, on this the anniversary of the loss of these brave Americans.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for joining with us. I thank the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for his outstanding leadership on
behalf of the Nation's warriors and patriots.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr.
[[Page H429]]
Weldon) for working so well and putting this bill before us. It is a
fitting tribute to those young Americans that died 10 years ago in
Desert Storm. I hope it is some solace to those families and not just
to those families but to the other families who lost loved ones in that
conflict. America is great, as Tocqueville once wrote, because America
is good. And America was there in the Persian Gulf because we stood for
good values.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) for
offering this resolution, because it does reflect the best that comes
from America.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my genuine sympathy to
the families of U.S. service members killed in Saudi Arabia in 1991.
I too honor their sacrifice. The greatest tribute we could provide to
these brave men and women is to work for nuclear disarmament and world
peace.
Nuclear proliferation is a real danger today. That is why I believe
it is imperative that the United States abide by its own treaties and
the principles of nonproliferation.
The proposed missile defense systems will increase the nuclear
threats we face, not diminish them.
We should not spend billions of dollars on an unworkable missile
system, when we have real security needs that must be met, when we have
soldiers on food stamps, when we have gulf-war veterans denied badly
needed medical care, and when we face such serious healthcare,
educational, and housing problems here at home that undermine both the
general welfare of the country and our common defense.
I join my colleagues in expressing our sympathy to the families of
those killed in 1991. My hope is that we do not put any more men and
women in harm's way. I must oppose any missile system that makes the
world a more dangerous place.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con.
Res. 39, a bill to honor the sacrifices of Operation Desert Storm. I
urge my colleagues to join in supporting this worthwhile legislation.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, a
military operation undertaken by a United States-led coalition to drive
Saddam Hussein's Iraqui Army out of Kuwait. This objective was achieved
decisively with a minimum of allied casualties.
Regrettably, however, no military action occurs without some losses,
and while the number of United States deaths during Desert Storm was
low, that does nothing to detract from the 299 servicemembers who gave
their lives in defeating Iraq.
One incident in particular stands out from the conflict. On February
25, 1991, Iraqi forces launched a Scud missile at the city of Dhahran
in Saudi Arabia. The missile struck a warehouse which was serving as a
U.S. Army barracks in the suburb of Al Khobar, killing 28 soldiers and
injuring 100 others. This incident resulted in more U.S. combat
casualties than any other in Operation Desert Storm, or in subsequent
operations.
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress on behalf
of the American people extending its sympathy and thanks to the
families of the 28 soldiers who were killed in that attack. It further
resolves to support appropriate and effective missile defense programs
to help prevent a similar unnecessary loss of lives from occurring
again. Had a more effective missile defense system been in place on
that February night in 1991, in all likelihood those 28 Americans would
have survived.
It is fitting that we honor those soldiers who made the ultimate
sacrifice for their country, as we are doing today. The best way for us
to honor their sacrifice is to ensure that history does not repeat
itself in any future war. For this reason, we should rededicate
ourselves to the task of developing and deploying an effective theater
missile defense system. Once this has been accomplished, future
generations of young Americans will be safer in regional military
conflicts.
Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this
resolution.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
39.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. WELDON. 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.
____________________