[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2191-E2192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY (S. CON. RES. 44)

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                               speech of

                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2001

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
S. Con. Res. 44, which calls for a National Pearl Harbor Remembrance 
Day in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the December 7, 1941 
attack on Pearl Harbor. S. Con. Res. 44 reminds us of the thousands of 
lives lost that bleak December morning when the Japanese Imperial Navy 
launched a sneak attack on America. S. Con. Res. 44 is a fitting 
tribute in remembrance of the lives lost that day and of the more than 
12,000 members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association to whom this 
Day is also dedicated.
  President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said December 7, 1941 was ``A day 
that will live in infamy'' and to this very day we remember Pearl 
Harbor for the thousands of lives that were lost tragically that 
morning.
  Today, Americans old and young find themselves united by the two 
tragic attacks against this country, 60 years apart. The events of 
September 11th have presented many with first hand experience of the 
shocking and frightening realities of a terrorist attack. December 7, 
1941 was no less an act of terror and treachery as was September 11, 
2001.
  Each year on December 7th thousands of people journey to Pearl 
Harbor, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on that day. The 
USS Arizona Memorial sits in Pearl Harbor as a final resting place for 
more than 900 of the 1,177 men who lost their lives that fateful day in 
Pearl Harbor. Twelve ships were sunk or beached and nine others were 
damaged,
  Families of deceased members of the crews of the ships lost on 
December 7, 1941, come to Pearl Harbor to place ashes in the hull of 
the Arizona memorial or have them scattered in the harbor, tightening 
the bond of valor and sacrifice for all time.
  But December 7, 1941, is much more than just a tragic day in American 
history. The bombing of Pearl Harbor thrust the United States into 
World War II, galvanizing our country to fight for freedom in two 
continents from which America emerged as an international leader.
  In the end 16,112,566 went to fight in WWII and 405,399 lost their 
lives in battle.
  The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, brought war to the 
doorsteps of

[[Page E2192]]

America and drastically challenged our resolve as a nation. It is 
fitting that we commemorate the 60th anniversary by declaring December 
7, 2001, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, not only as a 
reminder of the sacrifices thousands made that this Nation could 
triumph, but to reflect upon the spirit that continues to sustain us as 
we face new challenges today in a very dangerous world.

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