[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 73 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5213-S5214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 119--HONORING THE UNITED STATES MARINES 
 KILLED IN ACTION DURING WORLD WAR II WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THE 1942 
RAID ON MAKIN ATOLL IN THE GILBERT ISLANDS AND EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF 
  CONGRESS THAT A SITE IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, NEAR THE SPACE 
SHUTTLE ``CHALLENGER'' MEMORIAL AT THE CORNER OF MEMORIAL AND FARRAGUT 
   DRIVES, SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR A SUITABLE MONUMENT TO THE MARINE 
                                RAIDERS

  Mr. BURNS (for himself and Mr. Inouye) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs:

                            S. Con. Res. 119

       Whereas Congress remembers with profound sorrow, gratitude, 
     and respect the

[[Page S5214]]

     United States Marines who were killed in action during World 
     War II while participating in a combat raid on Japanese 
     forces on Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands in August, 1942, 
     and whose remains were recovered from Makin Atoll in 1999; 
     and
        Whereas Congress hopes and prays for the recovery of the 
     remains of 9 additional United States Marines engaged in that 
     raid who, after surrendering in accordance with the law of 
     armed conflict, were beheaded by their captors on Kwajalein 
     Atoll: Now therefore be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the United States Marines killed in action or beheaded 
     in captivity on Makin and Kwajalien Atolls during World War 
     II gave hope to the world by offering up their lives; and
       (2) a place of honor in Arlington National Cemetery near 
     the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial at the corner of 
     Memorial and Farragut Drives should be provided for a 
     suitable monument to the Marine Raiders, both as a reminder 
     of United States resolve during the dark, early days of World 
     War II, and as a reminder that the heroism and dedication of 
     those Marines represents the sacrifice all members of the 
     United States Armed Forces stand ready to make when the 
     security of the United States is threatened.

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I am honored to stand here today with my 
distinguished colleague, Senator Inouye, and submit a resolution 
honoring the Marine Raiders. In recent months, heroism and service to 
our great Nation have risen as qualities valued and held dearly in the 
hearts of all Americans, but the men and women of our armed forces are 
no strangers to these qualities. Our American servicemen and women were 
not introduced to the concepts of bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism on 
September 11. The men and women of our armed forces have dedicated 
their lives to serving this great country since its conception, and I 
rise today to honor some of this country's greatest servants.
  In August, 1942, the United States Marines conduct a combat raid on 
Japanese forces on Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. On August 17 and 
18, 1942, these Marines raided Butaritari Island, in the Makin Atoll. 
These men were members of the 2nd Raider Battalion, a Marine unit 
trained to conduct guerrilla-style attacks behind enemy lines. The unit 
was led by Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson; his second-in-command was 
Major James Roosevelt, son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The unit 
came under heavy Japanese resistance, and during the two-day battle, 
the Raiders killed 83 Japanese soldiers. However, because of weather, 
were unable to evacuate the bodies of their fallen comrades. The 
remains of these valiant men, known as Marine Raiders, were recovered 
and brought home to a grateful nation, at long last, in 1999. A funeral 
ceremony was held in August 2001 for nineteen of these brave men.
  As Americans, we have become accustomed to the risks and losses 
incurred while defending the great American principles of democracy, 
liberty, and patriotism. Our strength and spirit continue to prevail, 
and our continuing efforts to honor those who make the ultimate 
sacrifice in maintaining America's freedom, must not be lost upon the 
Marine Raiders. The bravery and heroism of these men has gone unsung 
for almost sixty years, and the time has come now to honor the Marine 
Raiders by establishing a monument in Arlington National Cemetery.
  This site would respectfully honor the Marine Raiders with a monument 
established at a point next to the Challenger Monument. Such 
recognition will demonstrate to our country and to the world that 
America will never leave any of our fallen servicemen and women behind, 
either in memory or geographic location, and will bring them home to 
the American soil they perished defending.
  As a former Marine, I am proud to have served this great Nation. The 
call to service as a member of the armed forces is a strong and noble 
call. In light of the recent attacks upon America, we remain united in 
a common vow to never forget those make the ultimate sacrifice in 
protecting the liberty we as Americans hold so precious. We, as Members 
of Congress and as citizens of this country, must remain united in 
fulfilling this promise to those who make that sacrifice today and 
tomorrow, without forgetting the men and women who made it yesterday, 
and in every war of America's past. We owe these heroes the honor of 
remembrance, both for the liberty we enjoy today and our freedom 
tomorrow.
  Honoring the Marine Raiders presents us the unique opportunity to 
present to the world the love and respect we have for our fallen 
warriors. With the challenges of war looming for our servicemen and 
women today, this demonstration of respect seems particularly 
appropriate. I ask my colleagues to join Senator Inouye and me in 
honoring these men, and their sacrifice, with a memorial in Arlington 
Cemetery.

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