[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RESTORING THE LAFAYETTE-ESCADRILLE MEMORIAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 3, 2001, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues the deteriorating state of a memorial to our World War I 
aviators.
  The Lafayette-Escadrille Memorial, which is located west of Paris, 
honors all the United States aviators who flew for France in World War 
I, with 68 Americans memorialized or buried on the site.
  Formed in 1916 as part of the French army, the Lafayette-Escadrille 
was the birth of the American combat United States Air Force we have 
today. In fact, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, the first U.S. trained ace, 
was trained by Mr. Lufberry, one of the original U.S. volunteers in the 
Escadrille. ``Escadrille'' is a French term for squadron.
  Seven Americans formed the original American squadron. When the 
Escadrille transferred to U.S. command in 1918, 265 American volunteers 
had served in the French air service, with 180 of those having flown 
combat missions. In all, the Escadrille flew 3,000 combat sorties, 
amassing nearly 200 victories. By the end of the war, most of the 
fallen of the Lafayette-Escadrille were buried along the battlefront in 
various military cemeteries.
  A joint French-American committee was organized to locate a final 
resting place for those American aviators. With land donated by the 
French Government, the Memorial was dedicated on July 4, 1928.
  My colleagues, the memorial is a site to behold. It encompasses an 
arch of triumph with a series of columns placed on either side. It 
contains a sanctuary and a burial crypt. Sunlight fills the tomb by way 
of 13 stained glass windows. Each of these works of art depicts the 
Escadrille flying its many missions over the battlefields of Europe. 
One of the more striking stained glass works depicts the U.S. aviators 
escorted by an eagle on a symbolic flight across the Atlantic to come 
to the aid of the French.
  However, sadly I report, the memorial is in desperate need of repair. 
The structure sits in a meadow with a high water table. Heavy rains 
flood the tomb, worsened by the poorly functioning drains and water 
leaking through the terrace behind the memorial. Structural repairs are 
needed for the crypt and the overall foundation, and double glass is 
needed to protect the remarkable stained glass windows.
  In 1930, U.S. attorney Nelson Cromwell founded the Lafayette-
Escadrille Memorial Foundation. He endowed the foundation with $1.5 
million for its maintenance, but unfortunately, all of those funds have 
been exhausted. Today, the foundation has a mirror organization in 
France and a pledge of monetary support to restore the memorial.
  Although studies to estimate the cost of restoring the memorial are 
ongoing, it is obvious that the resources required will exceed the 
meager means of the foundation. The French Government has already 
indicated its willingness to assist, and it is time for the U.S. 
Government to do the same.
  Just as we did in World War I, World War II, and most recently, in 
the Gulf War, it is time for the U.S. and French Governments to join 
together in doing what is right and what is just. This is an important 
memory. We must perform the duty of living and properly honor the 
memory of those who gave so much.
  Combining the efforts of private industry and Congress, it is my hope 
to join the French in restoring the memorial to its original beauty. It 
is the right thing to do, to honor our fallen aviators of World War I 
and to demonstrate our respect for the sacrifices of all Americans in 
service to our Nation and our allies.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting funding for the 
restoration of this magnificent memorial.

                          ____________________