[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 161 (Tuesday, November 27, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8367-H8371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 44) expressing
the sense of the Congress regarding National Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Day.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. Con. Res. 44
Whereas on December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy and
Air Force attacked units of the Armed Forces of the United
States stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii;
Whereas 2,403 members of the Armed Forces of the United
States were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor;
Whereas there are more than 12,000 members of the Pearl
Harbor Survivors Association;
Whereas the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor
will be December 7, 2001;
Whereas on August 23, 1994, Public Law 103-308 was enacted,
designating December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day; and
Whereas Public Law 103-308, reenacted as section 129 of
title 36, United States Code, requests the President to issue
each year a proclamation calling on the people of the United
States to observe National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day with
appropriate
[[Page H8368]]
ceremonies and activities, and all departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities of the Federal Government, and interested
organizations, groups, and individuals, to fly the flag of
the United States at half-staff each December 7 in honor of
the individuals who died as a result of their service at
Pearl Harbor: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That the Congress, on the occasion of the 60th
anniversary of December 7, 1941, pays tribute to--
(1) the United States citizens who died as a result of the
attack by Japanese Imperial Forces on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii;
and
(2) the service of the American sailors and soldiers who
survived the attack.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Barr) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr).
General Leave
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on S. Con. Res. 44.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of Senate Concurrent
Resolution 44. On November 15, the Senate agreed to this resolution
which expresses the sense of the United States Congress regarding
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
This important piece of legislation recognizes that December 7, 2001,
is the 60th anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.
The resolution pays tribute to the United States citizens who died as a
result of the attack by Japanese Imperial Forces on Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, and acknowledges the service of the American sailors and
soldiers who survived the attack.
On May 21, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a similar
measure. While the language in this resolution does not differ
materially from the resolution which the House passed last May, the
environment in which we legislate today is starkly different.
On September 11, hostile alien forces again attacked this Nation.
This time the attacker was not a nation but rather members of an evil
movement that would use terrorism to destroy Western civilization
itself. The death toll from these September 11 terrorist attacks were
overwhelmingly civilian and far exceed the death toll of the sneak
attack on Pearl Harbor 60 years ago.
As a result of these latest attacks, America's Armed Forces are once
again engaged in conflict in distant lands. They are in Afghanistan and
neighboring countries and surrounding areas to protect the United
States, and indeed the world, from terrorism.
As these young men and women place themselves at risk to protect our
freedom and our way of life, it is especially appropriate for Congress
and the Nation to honor those who died at Pearl Harbor 60 years ago and
those who survived the attack.
Today, necessarily, and unfortunately, we have a much deeper
understanding, a more immediate understanding of the sacrifices made 60
years ago. We have a more vital appreciation for the horrors they
endured on that day of infamy.
I urge all Members to support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
might consume.
Madam Speaker, at 7:53 a.m. on December 7, 1941, the Japanese
Imperial navy attacked the island of Oahu, Hawaii, now infamously known
as Pearl Harbor. Approximately 100 ships of the U.S. Navy were present
that morning, consisting of battleships, destroyers, cruisers and
various support ships.
By 1:00 p.m. the Japanese carriers that launched the planes from 274
miles off the coast of Oahu were heading back to Japan. Behind them
they left chaos: 2,403 dead, 188 destroyed planes and a crippled
Pacific Fleet that included eight damaged or destroyed battleships.
Battleships moored along Battleship Row were the primary target of
the attack's first wave. Ten minutes after the beginning of the attack,
a bomb crashed through the USS Arizona's two armored decks, igniting
its magazine. The explosion ripped the ship's sides open, and fire
engulfed the entire ship. Within minutes, the ship sank to the bottom,
taking 1,300 lives with her. The sunken ship remains as a memorial to
those who sacrificed their lives during this attack.
Let me take a moment to read an excerpt of Marine Corporal E.C.
Nightingale's account of that Sunday morning as he was leaving the
breakfast table aboard the USS Arizona.
``I reached the boat deck and our anti-aircraft guns were in full
action, firing very rapidly. I was about three-quarters of the way to
the first platform on the mast when it seemed as though a bomb struck
our quarter deck. I could hear shrapnel or fragments whistling past me.
As soon as I reached the first platform, I saw Second Lieutenant
Simonson lying on his back with blood on his shirt front. I bent over
him and taking him by the shoulders asked if there was anything I could
do. He was dead or so nearly that speech was impossible.''
{time} 1615
This resolution calls on Congress, on the 60th anniversary of Pearl
Harbor, to pay tribute to those who not only died in the attack, but
those like Corporal Nightingale who survived that fatal Sunday morning.
And like my dear friend, Orlandis Dixon, who was also at Pearl Harbor
and survived, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all of the men
and women who have put their lives on the line consistently to protect
and promote the most desirable features of our way of life, especially
the Crispus Attucks Post, Milton Olive Post, George Giles Post,
Tuskegee Airmen and Triple Nickle of the 101st Airborne, all of whom I
interact with on a regular and ongoing basis.
To listen to these men and women recount their experiences causes one
to have a new level of understanding and appreciation for the
sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. So I join in strong support of
this resolution and urge that all Members would vote favorably for it.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller), the sponsor of this resolution.
Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this
time and for his help in bringing this important initiative to the
House floor, as well as the efforts of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Davis). I wish to also recognize that it has also been approved in the
Senate.
December 7 of this year will be the 60th anniversary of the attack on
Pearl Harbor. For those of us in our generation, of course we now have
September 11, 2001, as a day that we will always remember of how it
changed our lives and how it changed our country. For our grandparents
and parents, their generations had Pearl Harbor, a day which we wish to
commemorate and remember those who fought and who lost their lives on
that fateful day December 7, 1941, a day which cost the lives of 2,403
military and civilian citizens of the United States.
Let me quickly review what occurred on that day. Earlier, on November
26, the Japanese attack fleet of 33 warships and auxiliary craft,
including six aircraft carriers, sailed from northern Japan for the
Hawaiian Islands. By early morning on December 7, 1941, the ships had
reached their launch position 230 miles north of Oahu. The night
before, some 10 miles outside the entrance to Pear Harbor, five Midget
submarines, carrying two crewmen and two torpedoes each, were launched
from larger mother submarines.
130 vessels of the U.S. Pacific fleets were in Pearl Harbor on
December 7. The first wave of Japanese aircraft arrived over their
target areas shortly before 7:55 a.m. The commander of the Japanese
fleet sent the coded messages ``To To To'' and ``Tora, Tora, Tora,''
telling the fleet the attack had begun and that complete surprise had
been achieved.
At approximately 8:10 a.m., the USS Arizona exploded, having been hit
by a 1,760 pound armor-piercing bomb that slammed through her deck,
igniting her forward ammunition magazine. And as my friend from
Illinois noted,
[[Page H8369]]
she sank fairly quickly and now remains as an everlasting memorial in
Pearl Harbor.
Later, in the attack, the USS Oklahoma, hit by several torpedoes,
rolled over, trapping 400 men inside. The USS California and the USS
West Virginia sank at their moorings, while the USS Utah, converted to
a training ship, capsized with over 50 of her crew.
The USS Maryland, the USS Pennsylvania, and the USS Tennessee all
suffered significant damage. The USS Nevada attempted to run out to
sea, but took several hits and had to be beached to avoid sinking and
blocking the harbor entrance.
After a lull at about 8:40 a.m., the second wave of attacking planes
focused on continuing the destruction inside the harbor, destroying the
USS Shaw, the USS Sotoyomo, a dry dock, and heavily damaging the
Nevada, forcing her aground.
They also attacked Hickam and Kaneohe air fields, causing heavy loss
of life and reducing American ability to retaliate. Luckily, American
carriers were not in port at the time of attack. The shipyards, fuel
storage areas, and submarine base suffered no more than slight damage.
Unfortunately, 2,403 military personnel and civilians were lost in
the attack. And, today, we must not forget. As we approach this 60th
anniversary of Pearl Harbor, it is important that we remember.
As a sponsor of this Sense of Congress Resolution that commemorates
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, I want to thank my colleagues
and urge bipartisan support. In the 103rd Congress, December 7 was
designated National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Unfortunately, it
never seems to get the attention that it deserves.
Passing this resolution, recognizing this important day, helps better
promote our memories of the impact of Pearl Harbor on those who lost
their lives. It will remind citizens that national Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day should be marked with appropriate ceremonies and
activities and that flags should be flown at half staff.
Today, there are over 12,000 members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors
Association; but I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Mr. Richard
Foltynewicz of Ottawa, Illinois, a leader of the Pearl Harbor Survivors
Association, who first brought this issue to my attention years ago.
Today, my colleagues, let us honor those who survived as well as
those who lost their lives in defense of our freedoms on December 7,
1941, by passing this Sense of Congress Resolution commemorating
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and recognizing that it occurred
60 years ago, and, today, we recognize the 60th anniversary of the
attack on Pearl Harbor.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I would very much like to commend
the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Georgia, and my good
friend, the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois, for their
leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 44,
which underscores Congress' strong support of National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day and pays tribute to the United States citizens who died
in the attack and the surviving American service members, many of whom
belong to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
I deeply commend the authors of this important legislation, Senator
Fitzgerald of Illinois and Senator Smith from New Hampshire, and the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller), who introduced the House
counterpart, House Concurrent Resolution 56, which was adopted earlier
this year in May.
Madam Speaker, as the resolution properly notes, this December 7th
will mark the 60th anniversary of Japan's deadly surprise attack on
Pearl Harbor. On that Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, a Japanese
force of 353 dive-bombers and torpedo planes attacked U.S. military
naval forces on Oahu without warning. Our Nation suffered staggering
losses, with over 2,400 servicemen and women killed, another 1,200
wounded, over 320 aircraft destroyed or damaged, and all eight U.S.
battleships in Pearl Harbor sunk or seriously damaged. The next day,
the United States declared war on Japan and later its Axis partners.
Madam Speaker, in many ways, we prevailed in World War II directly
because of the brave and courageous members of our Armed Forces who
died and fought at Pearl Harbor. Their sacrifices galvanized and
ignited America's fighting spirit as never before, fueling us for years
of battle until the forces of tyranny were defeated.
But, Madam Speaker, the term Pearl Harbor also means something vastly
different to certain Americans who suffered tremendously under the
pretense of the policy of our national security. I am making reference
specifically, Madam Speaker, to Americans of Japanese ancestry. Some
100,000 Americans were systematically herded like cattle and placed
into concentration camps, with their property confiscated. At the
height of tremendous hatred and bigotry and racism, what was very
interesting is that we had another fantastic legacy to be shared with
every American in our country.
It is important to recognize the contributions of the Japanese-
Americans who served in the U.S. Army's 100th Battalion and 442nd
Combat Infantry group. History speaks for itself in documenting that
none have shared their blood more valiantly for America than the
Japanese-Americans who served in these units while fighting enemy
forces in Europe during World War II.
The records of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry are without
equal, Madam Speaker. These Japanese-American units suffered an
unprecedented casualty rate of 314 percent and received over 18,000
individual decorations. Many were awarded after their deaths for
bravery and courage in the field of battle.
For your information, Madam Speaker, 52 Distinguished Service
Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, and 9,480 Purple Hearts were awarded to the
Japanese-American soldiers of the 100th Battalion and 442nd infantry.
The 442nd Combat Infantry group emerged as the most decorated combat
unit of its size in the history of the United States Army. President
Truman was so moved by their bravery in the field of battle, as well as
that of African American soldiers during World War II, that he issued
an American order to desegregate the Armed Forces.
I am happy to say that after Daniel Akaka introduced legislation in
1996 to review the war records of these soldiers, 20 Medals of Honor
were awarded to these Japanese American soldiers, including Senator
Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. The Senator was initially awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in combat and was an original
member of the 442nd Infantry Combat group.
I might say also, Madam Speaker, that for many years I have served as
executive officer of B Company of the 100th Battalion and the 442nd
Infantry.
Madam Speaker, these Japanese Americans paid their dues in blood to
protect our Nation from its enemies. It is a shameful legacy in the
history of our country that when the patriotic survivors of the 100th
Battalion and the 442nd Infantry returned to the United States, many
were reunited with their parents, their brothers, and their sisters who
were locked up behind barbed wire fences living in concentration camps.
I recall our former colleague and friend who now serves as Secretary
of Transportation, former Congressman Norm Mineta. He said as an 11-
year-old, he was in one of these concentration camps. He was told that
they had to put all these Japanese Americans in these concentration
camps, that it was for their protection. Here was an 11- year-old
saying if it was for their protection, why were all the machine guns
pointed inside the camps and not outside the camps.
Madam Speaker, the wholesale and arbitrary abolishment of the
constitutional rights of these loyal Japanese Americans will forever
serve as a reminder and testament that this must never be allowed to
occur again. Madam Speaker, as our government deals with the
ramifications of the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, I
would hope our Nation would not forget this one basic lesson.
[[Page H8370]]
I urge adoption of the resolution before us, which recognizes and
honors the sacrifices of our armed services members who died and served
at Pearl Harbor, for they inspire all Americans to seek to preserve and
protect our great Nation and democracy. By the same token, Madam
Speaker, let us not also forget what happened to our fellow Americans,
the Japanese Americans. They suffered tremendously and did so without
any guilt on their part, simply because they were Americans who
happened to be of Japanese ancestry.
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman
from American Samoa. As a matter of fact, as a child growing up, I
lived near one of those concentration camps, a resettlement camp, in
Jerome, Arkansas; and so I observed some of what the gentleman speaks
about. And having actually seen it, I appreciate the gentleman's
remarks a great deal.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield to the gentleman from American Samoa.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I think, in view of the pending
celebration of the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, probably two major
things have resulted from what has happened. One, I think our country
should always remember that Americans are Americans regardless of race,
creed or color. And I think the image and the understanding when we
talk about Pearl Harbor, though there is no question about what
happened and the sacrifices of those fellow Americans who died as a
result of the Japanese attack, there is also the other very emotional
feeling among many of the Japanese Americans throughout our Nation,
because it was not a very happy experience for them when this happened.
More than anything, too, as a result of the courageous efforts by
these Japanese American soldiers and our black and fellow African
American soldiers, for the first time President Truman, who was so
moved by their sacrifices, he then issued an Executive Order to
desegregate the Armed Forces. That is a major, major change in our
national policy; and I thank the gentleman for his recognition of this.
{time} 1630
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gentleman. December 7, 1941, or
September 11, 2001, our country has stood strong, resilient and ready
to withstand any attack, no matter where it comes from. Again, we
salute, we commend those men and women of the military who have
protected with their very lives the freedoms which we all enjoy. I urge
support of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, December 7, 1941, was certainly a watershed. It was a
day those who lived through it, and all who have lived after it, will
never forget. America, and indeed the world, were changed forever by
the events of December 7, 1941. America was awakened from slumber by
that attack, and she has not slept since.
However, we have been stirred from a rest on September 11 of this
year, and we are now reminded that America cannot ever sleep any more
now than on December 7, 1941. We must remember, and we must pass this
resolution. We must remember so that free people everywhere never
forget. I urge support on Senate Concurrent Resolution 44.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a Member of the
House Veterans' Affairs Committee in strong support of S. Con. Res. 44
and urge its immediate passage. Designating December 7 of this year as
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is most appropriate and is a
fitting tribute to the men and women who were present on that fateful
day.
December 7 of this year marks the 60th anniversary since that ill-
fated Sunday morning when the dreaded news of death and destruction
rang out across this nation. The surprise attack by the Imperial
Japanese naval air forces upon our naval base at Pearl Harbor and the
airfields around the island of Oahu went on to forever change our
world. This unprovoked attack sank or heavily damaged 21 ships,
destroyed or damaged 323 aircraft, killed 2,338 military personnel and
civilians, and wounded 1,178.
Reactions to the news varied from disbelief and shock, to anger.
Later, these feelings would translate into a sense of mission, duty,
and responsibility which would drive the American war machine and keep
the recruitment offices flowing with eager volunteers.
The raid on Pearl Harbor is an event which will forever be ingrained
in the hearts and minds of those old enough to remember. The war is
over, but we shall never forget. We shall not forget the destruction
and sorrow which drew this nation into World War II. President
Roosevelt told Americans that December 7, 1941, would be ``a date which
will live in infamy.'' Indeed, this day has proven a constant reminder
of the heroism and sacrifice of thousands of men and women who defended
our freedom and liberty.
My home State of New Mexico proudly hails approximately 200 Pearl
Harbor Veterans within its borders. All across the Land of Enchantment
on December 7 families and friends will gather to pay tribute to these
brave Americans. I salute each and every one of them. I want to also
recognize Stanley White who is the President of Chapter 1 of the Pearl
Harbor Survivors Association for proudly representing all Pearl Harbor
Veterans in New Mexico.
Be assured that as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the attack
on Pearl Harbor, the bravery, valor, and service of these men and women
in defense of their country and its deals are not forgotten. Please
accept the thanks of a grateful nation forever indebted to your
service.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of S. Con. Res. 44, which expresses the sense of Congress regarding
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. December 7, 2001 will be the
60th Anniversary of 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial
Japanese Navy and Air Force. This bill recognizes and gives deference
to the 2,403 members of our Armed Forces who were killed during the
attack, as well as to the more than 12,000 members of the Pearl Harbor
Survivors Associations across our great Nation.
Mr. Speaker, thousands of innocent young lives were lost during that
surprise early Sunday morning attack. At 7:55 am, Japanese bombers
began the bombing that sank 21 American warships, killed 2,338 military
personnel and civilians, and destroyed 165 planes.
The Arizona Memorial, which represents the courage and sacrifice of
the men that died in Pearl Harbor, was built in 1961 to honor the 1,177
Arizona crewmen who were killed during the Japanese attack. According
to a USS Arizona casualty list supplied by the Department of the
Interior, at least 78 of these soldiers and sailors were from Texas.
The memorial is situated directly above the sunken USS Arizona, which
still entombs about 900 crewmen who lost their lives when the Arizona
went down.
Mr. Speaker, we will never know what those young men would have
achieved. We are humbled by their sacrifice. It is appropriate that we
commemorate the 60th anniversary of the event that brought our country
into World War II. We must always remember the sacrifice and heroism of
those who lost their lives for our country at Pearl Harbor.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today is not Veterans' Day nor
Memorial Day nor any of the other days we usually set aside to remember
our servicemen and women. But we are not confined solely to those
official days in remembering our nation's heroes.
At this time in our nation's history, when once again the sound of
battle rumbles on the horizon and the skies are darkened by war planes
and bombs, we should reflect on a similar time 50 years ago. Few of us
ever expected to see another day like December 7, 1941, and all of us
hoped we never would. For over fifty years America led the world in a
season of peace and prosperity. But on September 11, 2001, this
generation's ``day that will live in infamy'' came, and the ``sleeping
giant'' was awakened once again.
In Fredericksburg, TX, there is a place with the motto, ``We inspire
our youth, by honoring our heroes.'' This place is called the National
Museum of the Pacific War Campaign and it is very special indeed. Many
know it by its former name, the Admiral Nimitz Museum, for it was in
Fredericksburg that over a hundred years ago that great man was born
and raised.
Chester W. Nimitz served his country all of his life--from his first
year at the U.S. Naval Academy at the age of 16 to his appointment as
the first-ever five-star Fleet Admiral. It is appropriate to have a
museum that honors not only his name and legacy, but also the countless
sailors, soldiers, and marines who served in that theatre of war with
him.
The bloodshed that began in Pearl Harbor ended nearly 4 years later
in Tokyo Bay, with Admiral Nimitz personally accepting the Japanese
surrender. Between those famous dates
[[Page H8371]]
of December 7, 1941, and September 2, 1945, are thousands of other
dates largely forgotten, but dates still made sacred by the blood and
sweat of our fellow Americans, who fought and died from one end of the
mighty Pacific Ocean to the other. They fought so that we all might
live free.
Once again, our great country finds itself engaged in a time of
strife. Perhaps even now, another young Nimitz is waiting in the wings.
We must never forget that the children of today are the leaders of
tomorrow. Admiral Nimitz took as his favorite quotation the following:
``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.''
Even as we speak, another generation of Americans is following its
commanders into harm's way. And they do so for you and me. They do so
because others did so before them, and left a living legacy for them to
follow; a legacy of blood and valor etched on coral ridges and tropical
atolls from Midway and Guadalcanal all the way to Okinawa and Japan.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. Con.
Res. 44, a resolution expressing the sense of the Congress regarding
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance day. I urge my colleagues to join in
supporting this timely, appropriate measure.
December 7, 2001 will mark the 60th anniversary of the naval and air
attack by imperial Japan on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii. This resolution pays tribute to the 2,403 servicemembers who
were killed on that ``day of infamy,'' and the thousands more who
received their baptism of fire into the Second World War.
It is the responsibility of those of us who still remember that
attack on our Nation to remind younger generations of the lessons we
learned. In his fireside chat on December 9, 1941, President Franklin
Roosevelt stated: ``In the past three days we have learned a terrible
lesson . . . . there is no such thing as security for any nation . . .
in a world ruled by the principles of gangsterism.''
``There is no such thing as an impregnable defense against powerful
aggressors who sneak up in the dark and strike without warning. . . We
have learned that our ocean-girth hemisphere is not immune from severe
attack--that we cannot measure our safety in terms of miles on a map
anymore.''
Pearl Harbor taught us that we must never again give the perception
of a weak U.S. defense posture. As a result of December 7, 1941, the
philosophy of peace through strength became a mainstay of our American
cold war defense and foreign policy.
This policy remains viable today, even though the cold war has ended.
As the tragic and horrible events of September 11th have demonstrated
the world is stall a very dangerous place. And there are many countries
and organizations who have agendas that are a clear and present danger
to American interests and our way of life.
The attack on Pearl Harbor did bring about one positive result. It
revealed that, when threatened, the American people can act with unity
and vigor in a manner unheard of in all previous history. This event
reinforced, in a way that has now been repeated since September 11th,
the premise that freedom and democracy are ideals which are worthy and
sometimes require, fighting for.
Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor shook the American people from their
slumber and isolationism, motivating the United States to take the lead
in combating and ultimately defeating the tyranny of German nazism and
Japanese militarism, enabling our nation to recognize that the 2,403
servicemen who died in the attack on December 7, 1941 did not die in
vain.
Similarly, the unprovoked, barbaric acts of terrorism that occurred
on September 11th have resulted in a newfound sense of unity among the
American people. I have no doubt that we will rise to this new
challenge of confronting terrorism, and that we will defeat this
scourge just as soundly as we crushed German nazism and Japanese
militarism.
Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this worthy
measure.
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Whitfield). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) that the House
suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S.
Con. Res. 44.
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. BARR of Georgia. 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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