[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE ``WHIDBEY 24''

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Armed 
Services Committee be discharged from consideration of S. Res. 80 and 
the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 80) honoring the ``Whidbey 24'' for 
     their professionalism, bravery, and courage.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 80) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 80

       Whereas the Electronic Countermeasures Squadron One (VQ-1) 
     at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station performs an electronic 
     reconnaissance mission for the defense of our Nation;
       Whereas on April 1, 2001, a VQ-1 EP-3E Aries II electronic 
     surveillance plane collided with a Chinese fighter jet and 
     made an emergency landing at the Chinese military airfield on 
     Hainan Island;
       Whereas the 24 crew members on board the plane (referred to 
     in this resolution as the ``Whidbey 24'') displayed exemplary 
     bravery and courage and the highest standards of 
     professionalism in responding to the collision and during the 
     ensuing 11 days in detention in the People's Republic of 
     China;
       Whereas Navy Lieutenant, Shane J. Osborn, displayed courage 
     and extraordinary skill by safely landing the badly damaged 
     EP-3E; and
       Whereas each member of the ``Whidbey 24'' embodies the 
     selfless dedication it takes to defend our Nation: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses relief at the release and safe return of the 
     ``Whidbey 24'' and shares in their families' joy;
       (2) applauds the selfless devotion to duty of the ``Whidbey 
     24'' who risked their lives to defend our Nation;
       (3) praises the ``Whidbey 24'' for their professionalism 
     and bravery and expresses the admiration and gratitude of our 
     Nation; and
       (4) acknowledges the sacrifices made every day by the 
     members of our Nation's Armed Forces as they defend and 
     preserve our Nation.

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