[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H10404-H10405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING SERVICE OF CREW MEMBERS OF USS ENTERPRISE BATTLE GROUP FOR
WAR EFFORT IN AFGHANISTAN
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 279) recognizing the service of
the crew members of the USS Enterprise Battle Group during its extended
deployment for the war effort in Afghanistan, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 279
Whereas the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on the
United States resulted in shifting the principal focus of the
Armed Forces from preserving peace to prosecuting and winning
a war against terrorism;
Whereas among the first military units to make this
transition to wartime operations was the USS Enterprise
Battle Group, which, on September 11, 2001, while en route
back to the United States from a scheduled peacetime
deployment, was immediately redeployed to conduct operations
against terrorists;
Whereas elements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine
Corps began deploying to the theater of war to secure bases
and support combat operations as early as September 19, 2001;
and
Whereas since then, not only have the special operations
and conventional forces of all the services performed
magnificently, but the members of the Armed Forces have
repeatedly demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment
and professionalism: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress recognizes and commends the
excellent service of all in the Armed Forces who are
prosecuting the war to end terrorism and protecting the
security of the Nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Schrock) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Sanchez) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock).
General Leave
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H. Con. Res. 279.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
{time} 1130
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank very much the majority leader, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey); the chairman of the Committee on
Armed Services, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump); the ranking
member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton); and Members of the
House leadership for allowing me to bring this resolution to the House
floor today.
On November 10, the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and her battle
group returned to Norfolk, Virginia, after an extended deployment that
included participation in the war on global terrorism in Afghanistan.
On September 11, while America was under attack, the USS Enterprise
and her battle group had just begun their journey home from a routine
deployment in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch
over Iraq. Within 30 minutes after the first attack on New York City,
the commanding officer of the Enterprise made a 180-degree turn, headed
back towards the Middle East, and waited for orders from the National
Command Authority here in Washington. The captain and his crew and
accompanying ships were eager and ready to defend America against
attack.
Mr. Speaker, I was privileged to serve in the United States Navy for
24 years. I am privileged today to represent the Second Congressional
District of Virginia, home to the USS Enterprise Battle Group, a battle
group that consists of 14,500 military personnel, 13 ships, and 8
squadrons of helos and airplanes.
The crew of this ship and her battle group were prepared to defend
America every day of the year. September 11 was no exception. The first
attacks on Afghanistan came from the USS Enterprise Battle Group. Our
men and women wear the uniform of their Nation with more pride than any
other Nation in the world.
I worked closely with the Committee on Armed Services to expand this
resolution to thank all services fighting in the war against terrorism.
The combined efforts of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and the
Coast Guardsmen will win that war for America and rid this world of
terrorism forever.
Mr. Speaker, let me say it once again: our soldiers, sailors, airmen,
Marine Corps and Coast Guardsmen are the best in the world. The purpose
of this resolution is to commend the USS Enterprise Battle Group and
thank them for extending their deployment and for being the first ones
to enter the battle against terrorism.
To all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen on
active duty and in the reserves fighting this battle today, I thank you
for your commitment, your bravery, and for volunteering to defend our
great country.
Mr. Speaker, I think I can speak for all of my colleagues when I say
``thank you'' to the men and women in the Armed Forces, who served with
honor, respect and bravery. They are true American heroes. God bless
them, God bless their families, and God bless America.
[[Page H10405]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 279 offered by my
colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock). This legislation
recognizes and commends members of the Armed Forces who are fighting
the war against terrorism and protecting the security of our Nation.
The success we have had to date is due to our highly trained and
dedicated American forces. Shortly after the tragic and deadly attack
against the United States, military units were preparing to protect and
defend Americans at home and around the world.
For example, on September 11, the USS Enterprise Battle Group was
headed back to the United States after a 6-month deployment in the
Persian Gulf. Upon learning of the attacks, the battle group returned
to the Persian Gulf and remained on station for several additional
months to conduct the initial counterterrorism operations. The first
wave of air attacks against the Taliban and al Qaeda forces in
Afghanistan included planes launched from that carrier group.
This war against terrorism has shown what our military services can
do by working together to protect our country and its citizens.
``United We Stand'' means as much today at it has ever meant in
America's history. We have had men and women in uniform on the front
lines in this battle against terrorism since day one.
Army and Air Force Special Forces are deployed in Afghanistan to
gather intelligence and tactical information. And the Marines have been
securing bases and protecting landing strips for follow-on forces in
nongovernmental assistance organizations who are trying to help the
people of Afghanistan. In the United States, our own National Guard is
protecting our airports, our infrastructure, and even our Nation's
Capitol.
On behalf of the American people, I want to recognize and commend all
of our men and women in uniform for their dedication to the principles
of democracy. I would like to especially commend the members of the USS
Enterprise Battle Group for their tireless efforts in this war on
terrorism. Their commitment and their service to our Nation is truly
priceless, and I am proud to support this resolution here in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Virginia (Mr. Scott).
Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this
time, and I wish to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia
(Mr. Schrock), for introducing this resolution.
Since September 11, the United States has seen many in uniform who
have displayed the courage that would allow them to face life-
threatening danger and the sacrifice which would risk their own
personal safety and comfort in order to protect our personal freedoms,
defend our civil liberties, and guard our constitutional rights.
Mr. Speaker, courage and personal sacrifice are the two attributes
that keep the attacks of September 11 from having happened in vain. It
is that personal courage and sacrifice that our brave men and women
aboard the USS Enterprise Battle Group displayed. They were en route
back to the United States following a scheduled peacetime deployment
from the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch over Iraq
when they were suddenly and unexpectedly redeployed to the war effort
in Afghanistan.
Mr. Speaker, it is also that same courage and personal sacrifice that
the families, friends, loved ones of the entire USS Enterprise Battle
Group, the members of the United States Armed Forces, and the victims
of the September 11 attack had to display and continue to have to
display while keeping the faith that our Nation will be protected.
And so, Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to support the resolution
which recognizes the service, sacrifice, and courage of the crew
members of the USS Enterprise Battle Group, the United States Armed
Forces, and the families, friends and loved ones of those who have died
or risked their lives on and after September 11.
I particularly, Mr. Speaker, want to thank my colleague, the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock), for his leadership in
introducing this resolution.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez) for assisting
with this, and my good friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).
These young men and women deserve all the praise we can heap on them,
and I think when we do that from the floor of the House, it adds a
little more oomph to what we are doing.
Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker as an original cosponsor of this resolution
and a Representative of the Tidewater region of Virginia, I rise in
strong support of H. Con. Res. 279.
I recently was honored to participate in the homecoming celebration
of the USS Enterprise when it returned to Norfolk from its extended
deployment in Afghanistan. These brave men sailed out of Norfolk in
April and only just returned to their families, friends, and homes last
month. They were given a true hero's welcome by their loved ones, their
extended Naval family in Norfolk, and even their Commander-in-Chief. We
were and are extraordinarily proud of their service and dedication,
particularly in this time of war.
When it was first christened at the Newport News Shipbuilding and
Drydock Company in 1960, the Enterprise had an impressive history to
live up to. Its namesake was a highly decorated, World War II veteran
that had participated in the Battle of Midway and Doolittle's raid on
Tokyo. As the world's first and finest nuclear-powered aircraft
carrier, this Enterprise has done its namesake proud.
The Enterprise Battle Group was among the first of the American fleet
to participate in the new war on terrorism. And, should they be called
to duty again in this war, I am certain that they will serve again with
distinction. In the coming days, we will vote on the Defense
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002. This legislation includes a
much-deserved pay raise for these sailors and other servicemembers. I
am proud to support that pay raise, and to do all that I can to support
their mission from my position in Congress.
And, Mr. Speaker, while I do encourage my colleagues to approve that
appropriations bill later this week, today, I ask for their support for
this much-deserved but simple recognition for the crew of the USS
Enterprise Battle Group.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Isakson). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
279, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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