[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 9 (Friday, January 17, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1153-S1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE CONGRESS 
   THAT THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE SHOULD ISSUE COMMEMORATIVE 
POSTAGE STAMPS HONORING AMERICANS WHO DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES BY THEIR 
                      SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES

  Mr. CORZINE (for himself and Mr. Warner) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Governmental Affairs:

                             S. Con. Res. 2

       Whereas the United States Postal Service honored four 
     distinguished American soldiers when it issued its 
     Distinguished Soldiers commemorative postage stamps on May 3, 
     2000;
       Whereas such stamps not only paid tribute to the patriotism 
     and uncommon valor of those brave soldiers, but also served 
     as a lasting tribute to the men and women of the Army who 
     have dedicated their lives to the defense of our country; and
       Whereas it is only fitting that similar recognition be 
     given with respect to the other branches of the armed forces: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That--
       (1) commemorative postage stamps should be issued by the 
     United States Postal Service honoring Americans who 
     distinguished themselves by their service in the Navy, Air 
     Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, respectively; and
       (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend 
     to the Postmaster General that such stamps be issued.
                                  ____

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I join my colleague from New Jersey, 
Senator Corzine, in support of a series of commemorative postage stamps 
to

[[Page S1154]]

honor the distinguished members of our armed services.
  As a veteran of World War II and Korea, I know firsthand the 
hardships of war. It certainly does provide a deeper appreciation for 
life and the struggles faced by the men and women who serve in our 
uniformed services. I also appreciate just how critical it is for our 
military personnel to be appropriately trained, well-equipped, and 
fairly compensated, both in times of peace and hostilities, for 
protecting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.
  In May of 2000, a series of four stamps were issued by the United 
States Postal Service to acknowledge several distinguished leaders of 
the United States Army. This Resolution maintains that this honor 
should be extended to recognize the accomplishments of notable service 
members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United 
States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard.
  I take great pride in representing military personnel and the 
veterans of our great nation and I am pleased to support this admirable 
initiative.
  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
calling on the United States Postal Service to issue commemorative 
postage stamps honoring distinguished servicemen and servicewomen from 
the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
  On May 3, 2000 the United States Postal Service formally recognized 
four distinguished Army soldiers with ``Distinguished Soldiers'' 
commemorative postage stamps. These stamps serve as an important 
tribute to the patriotism and uncommon valor of four individual 
soldiers who risked life and limb in defense of liberty. Clearly, as 
our military is being mobilized for possible military action, these 
stamps serve as a timely recognition of the sacrifice made by our Army 
personnel to defend the democratic values that we hold dear.
  To date, however, there has been an unfortunate, but easily 
remediable oversight: the Postal Service has issued a set of four 
stamps recognizing the accomplishments of individual U.S. Army 
soldiers, but has not followed through with similar stamp series 
commemorating the profound contributions of individual members of the 
armed forces from the Marines, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Coast 
Guard.
  Recognizing all the branches of our Armed Forces is long overdue. Men 
and women from all the military services deserve recognition for the 
risks they have taken and the sacrifices they have made for the freedom 
we all enjoy. As Mr. Einar Dyhrkopp, then Chairman of the Postal 
Service Board of Governors stated in May 2000, at the dedication 
ceremony for the block of four stamps commemorating the valor of 
individual ``Distinguished Soldiers,'' ``By doing their duty, they 
brought honor to us all and helped preserve this country that we love. 
Now it's time for the nation to do its duty and honor these 
distinguished soldiers.''
  It is a mistake to pay tribute to one service without similar 
tributes to the other services. The Postal Service should issue similar 
four-stamp sets recognizing the military accomplishments of individual 
members of the Air Force, the Marines, the Navy and the Coast Guard 
soon to redress this lamentable omission.
  I am sure that each member of Congress can think of at least one 
military hero who deserves this special recognition. For instance, I 
have long felt that a stamp commemorating the courageous service of 
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone would be a fitting memorial to a great 
Marine.
  Raised in Raritan, NJ, Basilone, enlisted in the U.S. Army soon after 
his 18th birthday. Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to the 
Philippines where he earned a nickname that would stick with him for 
the rest of his career: ``Manila John.''
  Following his tour of duty in 1937, Basilone returned to Raritan. But 
he wouldn't stay there long. In July 1940, with much of Europe at war 
and the United States on the brink, ``Manila John'' left New Jersey, 
enlisting in the military once again, this time joining the United 
States Marine Corps.
  On October 24, 1942, Basilone earned his Congressional Medal of 
Honor. He was sent to a position on the Tenaru River at Guadalcanal and 
placed in command of two sections of heavy machine guns. Sergeant 
Basilone and his men were charged with defending Henderson Airfield, an 
important American foothold on the island. Although the Marine 
contingent was vastly outnumbered and without needed support, Basilone 
and his men successfully repelled a Japanese assault.
  Other survivors reported that their success can be attributed to one 
man: ``Manila John.'' He crossed enemy lines to replenish a dangerously 
low stockpile of ammunition, repaired artillery pieces, and steadied 
his troops in the midst of torrential rain. He went several days and 
nights without food or sleep, and the U.S. military was able to carry 
the day. His exploits became Marine lore, and served as a patriotic 
inspiration to others facing daunting challenges in the midst of war.
  For his courage under fire and profound patriotism, Basilone was the 
first enlisted Marine to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 
World War II. When he returned to the United States, he was heralded as 
a hero and quickly sent on tour around the country to help finance the 
war through the sale of war bonds. The Marine corps offered to 
commission Basilone as an officer and station him far away from the 
frontlines.
  But Basilone was not interested in riding out the war in Washington, 
DC. He was quoted as saying. ``I ain't no officer, and I ain't no 
museum piece. I belong back with my outfit.'' In December 1944, he got 
his wish and returned to the frontlines.
  General Douglas MacArthur called him ``a one-man army,'' and on 
February 19, 1945 at Iwo Jima, Basilone once against lived up to that 
reputation. Basilone destroyed an enemy stronghold, a blockhouse on 
that small Japanese island and commanded his young troops to move the 
heavy guns off the beach. Unfortunately, less than two hours into the 
assault on that fateful day in February, Basilone and four of his 
fellow marines were killed when an enemy mortar shell exploded nearby.
  When Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone died, he was only 27, but he had 
already earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the 
Purple Heart, and the appreciation of his Nation. Basilone is a true 
American patriot whose legacy should be preserved.
  Basilone is just one of the many heroes who deserve to be 
memorialized on a U.S. postage stamp. That is why the Military 
Coalition, a group that includes associations representing every aspect 
of our Armed Forces community, from the Reserve Officers Association to 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, has endorsed the initiative to see 
commemorative stamps issued honoring exceptional service men and women 
from all branches of the military.
  The Postal Service fittingly honored courageous men and women who 
fought in the Army by issuing stamps commemorating the tremendous 
sacrifice and unusual courage demonstrated by individual distinguished 
soldiers. Now it is time for Marines like Sergeant Basilone, and men 
and women from the Air Force, the Coast Guard, and the Navy to be 
honored in a similar fashion.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution as an 
important message to all our military servicemen and women that we 
appreciate and admire their efforts to defend our great country.

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