[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S6440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PRESIDENT BUSH RECOGNIZES LT. COL. BILL HOLMBERG AS AN AMERICAN HERO

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I want to call my colleagues' attention 
to a specific passage in President Bush's commencement address at the 
U.S. Naval Academy last month that was particularly meaningful to me. 
In that reference, the President paid tribute to the heroism of a 
longtime friend of mine, retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel William C. 
Holmberg, class of '51.
  I would like to quote from the President's speech:

       But there are many others from the Class of '51 whose 
     stories are lesser known, such as retired Lieutenant Colonel 
     William C. Holmberg. One year and a handful of days after 
     graduation, Second Lieutenant Holmberg found himself on the 
     Korean peninsula, faced with a daunting task: to infiltrate 
     his platoon deep behind enemy lines in an area swarming with 
     patrol; to rout a tenacious enemy; to seize and hold their 
     position. And that's what he did. And that's what his platoon 
     did.
       Along the way, they came under heavy fire and engaged in 
     fierce hand-to-hand combat. Despite severe wounds, Lieutenant 
     Holmberg refused to be evacuated, and continued to deliver 
     orders and direct the offensive until the mission was 
     accomplished.
       And that's why he wears the Navy Cross. And today, his 
     deeds, and the deeds of other heros from that class, echo 
     down through the ages to you. You can't dictate the values 
     that make you a hero. You can't buy them, but you can foster 
     them.

  I commend the President for his recognition of this very special 
American. I have known Bill Holmberg ever since I came to Washington as 
a freshman Congressman more than 20 years ago. I know Bill not as a war 
hero, but as an indefatigable champion of the environment and as a 
visionary who understood the potential of renewable fuels for improving 
air quality and reducing our dependence on imported oil long before 
they were accepted as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
  Bill is a true American hero who stands as a model for us all. His 
selfless commitment to making the world a better place to live has been 
demonstrated not only on distant battlefields, but also by his daily 
pursuit of a more secure, environmentally sustainable and just society.
  I join with President Bush in saluting Lt. Colonel William C. 
Holmberg, a sustainable American hero.

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