[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2730-S2731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 242--DESIGNATING AUGUST 16, 2002 AS ``NATIONAL 
                             AIRBORNE DAY''

  Mr. THURMOND submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 242

       Whereas the airborne forces of the United States Armed 
     Forces have a long and honorable history as units of 
     adventuresome, hardy, and fierce warriors who, for the 
     national security of the United States and the defense of 
     freedom and peace, project effective ground combat power of 
     the United States by Air Force air transport to the far 
     reaches of the battle area and, indeed, to the far corners of 
     the world;
       Whereas August 16, 2002, marks the anniversary of the first 
     official validation of the innovative concept of inserting 
     United States ground combat forces behind battle lines by 
     means of parachute;
       Whereas the United States' experiment of airborne infantry 
     attack was begun on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute 
     Test Platoon was first authorized by the United States 
     Department of War, and was launched when 48 volunteers began 
     training in July 1940;
       Whereas the Parachute Test Platoon performed the first 
     official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940;
       Whereas the success of the Parachute Test Platoon in the 
     days immediately preceding the entry of the United States 
     into World War II led to the formation of a formidable force 
     of airborne units that, since then, have served with 
     distinction and repeated success in armed hostilities;
       Whereas among those units are the former 11th, 13th, and 
     17th Airborne Divisions, the venerable 82nd Airborne 
     Division, the versatile 101st Airborne Division (Air 
     Assault), and the airborne regiments and battalions (some as 
     components of those divisions, some as separate units) that 
     achieved distinction as the elite 75th Infantry (Ranger) 
     regiment, the 173rd, 187th, 503rd, 507th, 508th, 517th, 
     541st, and 542nd airborne infantry regiments, the 88th Glider 
     Infantry Battalion, and the 509th, 550th, 551st, and 555th 
     airborne infantry battalions;
       Whereas the achievements of the airborne forces during 
     World War II provided a basis for evolution into a 
     diversified force of parachute and air assault units that, 
     over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, 
     Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and Somalia, and have 
     engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai 
     Peninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo;
       Whereas the modern-day airborne force that has evolved from 
     those World War II beginnings is an agile, powerful force 
     that, in large part, is composed of the 82nd Airborne 
     Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the 
     75th Infantry (Ranger) regiment which, together with other 
     units, comprise the quick reaction force of the Army's 
     XVIIIth Airborne Corps when not operating separately under 
     the command of a Commander in Chief of one of the regional 
     unified combatant commands;
       Whereas that modern-day airborne force also includes other 
     elite forces composed entirely of airborne trained and 
     qualified special operations warriors, including Army Special 
     Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance, Navy SEALs, Air Force 
     Combat Control Teams, Air Sea Rescue, and Airborne Engineer 
     Aviation Battalions, all or most of which comprise the forces 
     of the United States Special Operations Command;
       Whereas, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the 
     United States on September 11, 2001, the 75th Infantry 
     (ranger) regiment, Special Forces units, and units of the 
     101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), together with other 
     units of the Armed Forces, have been prosecuting the war 
     against terrorism, carrying out combat operations in 
     Afghanistan, training operations in the Philippines, and 
     other operations elsewhere;
       Whereas, of the members and former members of the Nation's 
     combat airborne forces, all have achieved distinction by 
     earning the

[[Page S2731]]

     right to wear the airborne's ``Silver Wings of Courage'', 
     thousands have achieved the distinction of making combat 
     jumps, 69 have earned the Medal of Honor, and hundreds have 
     earned the Distinguished-Service Cross, Silver Star, or other 
     decorations and awards for displays of such traits as 
     heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and valor;
       Whereas, the members and former members of the Nation's 
     combat airborne forces are members of a proud and honorable 
     fraternity of the profession of arms that is made exclusive 
     by those distinctions which, together with their special 
     skills and achievements, distinguish them as intrepid combat 
     parachutists, special operations forces, and (in former days) 
     glider troops; and
       Whereas the history and achievements of the members and 
     former members of the airborne forces of the United States 
     Armed Forces warrant special expressions of the gratitude of 
     the American people as the airborne community celebrates 
     August 16, 2002, as the 62nd anniversary of the first 
     official jump by the Army Parachute Test Platoon: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate requests and urges the President 
     to issue a proclamation--
       (1) designating August 16, 2002, as ``National Airborne 
     Day''; and
       (2) calling on Federal, State, and local administrators and 
     the people of the United States to observe ``National 
     Airborne Day'' with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
     activities.

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today to submit a 
Senate resolution which designates August 16, 2002 as ``National 
Airborne Day.''
  On June 25, 1940, the War Department authorized the Parachute Test 
Platoon to experiment with the potential use of airborne troops. The 
Parachute Test Platoon, which was composed of 48 volunteers, performed 
the first official army parachute jump on August 16, 1940. The success 
of the Platoon led to the formation of a large and successful airborne 
contingent that has served from World War Two until the present.
  I was privileged to serve with the 82nd Airborne Division, one of the 
first airborne divisions to be organized. In a two-year period during 
World War Two, the regiments of the 82nd served in Italy at Anzio, in 
France at Normandy (where I landed with them), and at the Battle of the 
Bulge.
  The 11th, 13th, 17th, and 101st Airborne Divisions and numerous other 
regimental and battalion size airborne units were also organized 
following the success of the Parachute Test Platoon. In the last sixty-
two years, these airborne forces have performed in important military 
and peace-keeping operations all over the world, and it is only 
appropriate that we designate a day to salute the contributions they 
have made to this Nation.
  Through passage of ``National Airborne Day,'' the Senate will 
reaffirm our support for the members of the airborne community and also 
show our gratitude for their tireless commitment to our Nation's 
defense and ideals.

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