[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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