[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 5, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1591-H1601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING MEMBERS OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR 
            SELFLESS SERVICE DURING GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of 
Tuesday, March 4, 2003, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 27) 
recognizing and commending the continuing dedication, selfless service, 
and commitment of members of the Armed Forces and their families during 
the Global War on Terrorism and in defense of the United States, and 
ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The text of House Joint Resolution 27 is as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 27

       Whereas the Global War on Terrorism began in response to 
     the unprovoked terrorist attack on the United States homeland 
     on September 11, 2001, which resulted in the deaths of 
     thousands of United States citizens;
       Whereas Al Qaeda, which attacked the United States on 
     September 11, 2001, remains a threat to the national security 
     of the United States;
       Whereas the members of the Armed Forces of the United 
     States, a total force comprised of active, National Guard, 
     and Reserve personnel, have undertaken more than 17 months of 
     courageous and successful operations against terrorism, not 
     only in Afghanistan, but also worldwide;
       Whereas since September 11, 2001, members of the United 
     States Armed Forces have promoted homeland security 
     throughout the United States by performing various missions, 
     including providing security at the Nation's airports, 
     protecting the public at special events, and patrolling the 
     Nation's skies with combat air patrols;
       Whereas members of the Armed Forces are helping around the 
     world to train the militaries of other nations in counter-
     terrorism operations;
       Whereas these post-September 11, 2001, missions have been 
     in addition to other regular military missions and have been 
     performed without any permanent increase in the size of the 
     Armed Forces;
       Whereas more than 65 American servicemembers have died 
     defending the Nation in the Global War on Terrorism and more 
     than 210 have been wounded or injured;
       Whereas nearly 225,000 members of the National Guard and 
     Reserve components have been mobilized for active duty since 
     the start of the Global War on Terrorism, of whom more than 
     166,000 remain on active duty, with thousands facing a second 
     year of active duty away from families and civilian 
     employment;
       Whereas more than 200,000 active-duty personnel have 
     already been deployed to the Persian Gulf theater and 
     thousands of Reservists and National Guard members have been 
     alerted for mobilization or are deploying for a possible war 
     with Iraq;
       Whereas many employers in the Nation find their employees 
     called to active duty in the National Guard and Reserve, and 
     are themselves called upon in the spirit of patriotism to 
     maintain job security for those mobilized personnel and their 
     families;
       Whereas the ability of members of the Armed Forces to 
     perform their missions requires the support and sacrifice of 
     their families and the commitment to go wherever the Nation 
     needs them;
       Whereas the Nation is engaged in an unprecedented global 
     conflict that presents many new and dangerous challenges to 
     the members of the Armed Forces; and
       Whereas this global conflict will require the Nation's 
     unflinching resolve and commitment to provide the Nation's 
     soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines with the necessary 
     resources required for victory: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     Congress--
       (1) commends, and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to, 
     all members of the United States Armed Forces (whether on 
     active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves) who 
     are fighting the Global War on Terrorism;
       (2) commends, and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to, 
     the employers who in the spirit of patriotism maintain the 
     job security of their mobilized National Guard and Reserve 
     employees;
       (3) commends, and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to, 
     the families of those servicemembers who have borne the 
     burden of separation from their loved ones and who have 
     staunchly supported them during the conduct of the Global War 
     on Terrorism;
       (4) expresses its condolences to the families of the brave 
     American servicemembers who have lost their lives defending 
     the Nation in the Global War on Terrorism; and
       (5) reaffirms that it stands united with the President in 
     the ongoing effort to defeat global terrorism.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) and 
the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the joint resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, since the start of the global war on terrorism, a saga 
has unfolded marked by the dedication, selfless service, and commitment 
of the members of the Armed Forces and their families. Now, on the eve 
of a potential war with Iraq, the Nation is about to ask our Armed 
Forces and their families for additional sacrifices.
  For these reasons, my great colleague, the gentleman from Missouri 
(Mr. Skelton), and I thought it was only fitting that we offer this 
joint resolution to send a message to our Armed Forces of our support 
and appreciation for their magnificent efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Armed Forces, a total force of active National 
Guard and Reserve volunteers, have conducted more than 17 months of 
courageous and successful operations against terrorism, not only in 
Afghanistan, but also worldwide. Beyond that, they have secured the 
U.S. homeland by performing various missions, including patrolling the 
Nation's airports, protecting the public at special events, and flying 
combat air patrols in the Nation's skies.
  Today, more than 200,000 active duty personnel are already deployed 
to the Persian Gulf, and thousands of Reservists and National Guard 
members are on alert for mobilization or are deploying for a possible 
war with Iraq.
  All these missions are in addition to other regular military 
requirements and have significantly increased the pace of operations 
and the stress on our forces. There have been no permanent increases in 
the size of the Armed Forces to meet these new requirements. Instead, 
our military forces are being required to work longer, harder, and 
smarter.
  One enduring mark of the sacrifices being made in this war on 
terrorism by our men and women in uniform is that 67 American 
servicemembers have died defending the Nation, and 212 have been 
wounded or injured.
  Untold sacrifices are being asked of the nearly 225,000 members of 
the National Guard and Reserve who have been mobilized for active duty 
since the start of the global war on terrorism. More than 174,000 of 
them remain on active duty, with thousands facing a second year of 
active duty away from their families and civilian employment.
  America is able to make a substantial commitment of its citizen 
soldiers to this war because many of the Nation's employers, in the 
spirit of patriotism, are maintaining job security for those mobilized 
personnel and their families. Whether the members of the Armed Forces 
are active, Guard, or Reserve, their ability to perform their missions 
requires the continuing support and sacrifice of their families.
  Mr. Speaker, the Nation is engaged in a global conflict that presents 
many

[[Page H1592]]

new and dangerous challenges to the members of the Armed Forces. It is 
a conflict that will require the Nation's unflinching resolve and 
commitment to provide the Nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen, and 
Marines with the necessary resources required for victory.
  In that context, this joint resolution commends and expresses the 
gratitude of our Nation to all members of the United States Armed 
Forces, whether on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the 
Reserves, who are fighting the global war on terrorism; also, Mr. 
Speaker, to the employers who maintain the job security of their 
mobilized National Guard and Reserve employees; and also, importantly, 
to the families of those servicemembers who have borne the burden of 
separation from their loved ones and who have staunchly supported them 
during this war.
  The joint resolution also expresses our condolences to the families 
of the brave American servicemembers who have lost their lives 
defending our Nation in the global war on terrorism, and it reaffirms 
that the Congress stands united with the President in this ongoing 
effort to defeat terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this joint 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the chairman of the Committee on 
Armed Services, my friend, my colleague, the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Hunter), in support of House Joint Resolution 27. This bill 
recognizes and commends the dedication, the selfless service, and the 
commitment of our Armed Forces and their families, and especially those 
involved with the global war on terrorism.
  Our Nation is at war with terrorists who would destroy our freedoms 
and liberties that are the foundation of America. Those who serve on 
the front lines of this war on terrorism are our men and women in 
uniform. When our Nation calls, it is her service men and women who 
volunteer to be the point of the spear, protecting the Nation's 
interests both here in America and abroad.
  Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Philippines, Yemen, Georgia, these 
are just several of the regions in which our Armed Forces are serving 
today. They are in over 200 countries around the world protecting the 
peace and training militaries in counterterrorism operations, and in 
searching and hunting the al Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan. These are 
just a few of the important missions that our soldiers and sailors, our 
airmen and Marines are called upon to do each day.
  The Armed Forces have always been called upon to assist those 
protecting us here in the homeland. From patrolling the skies above our 
major cities and guarding important infrastructure and facilities, like 
bridges and water treatment facilities, to providing assistance to 
Border Patrol agents, our military is there to defend us.
  Many called to service are citizen soldiers, National Guardsmen and 
Reservists, part-time volunteers who serve when they are called. A 
growing number of these citizen soldiers have been called to serve on 
multiple deployments over the past decade. Nearly 85,000 members of the 
National Guard and Reserve components have been mobilized for active 
duty since the start of the global war on terrorism. Last Friday, there 
were over 120,000 Reservists and National Guardsmen who were mobilized, 
many on their second year of active duty; and the number continues to 
rise.
  As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, Company C, the 110th Engineers of 
the Missouri National Guard from my hometown of Lexington, has been 
mobilized to guard Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
  Our Reserve forces cannot fulfill their service obligations without 
the support of their families and employers. Employers have provided 
support in a number of ways, such as continuing to pay the difference 
between civilian pay and military pay, and providing health care 
coverage for the families left behind.
  The support of these military families, active and Reserves, is also 
vital to deployed troops. Military families often face months of 
separation from their loved ones. Stories of a child being born while a 
parent is deployed and precious moments like birthdays and graduations 
and holidays being separated from families and friends are quite 
common. Yet these military families endure such hardships and 
sacrifices so these servicemembers can continue to proudly serve our 
Nation.
  More than 65 servicemembers have died since the global war on 
terrorism began, and over 200 have been wounded or injured. These 65 
individuals and their families made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. 
Our thoughts and our prayers are with them.
  While there are no words I can find to adequately express the 
Nation's appreciation for their sacrifices, our sympathies and our 
consolation go out to these families. The Nation will not forget the 
price these servicemembers paid to defend our country and to defend the 
freedoms that we all enjoy here in the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that the citizens of America recognize the 
dedication and commitment of those who serve in the uniformed services 
and their families, and I thank the gentleman for offering this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the sense 
of history and patriotism that he brings to this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina 
(Mr. Hayes), the vice-chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism and 
Unconventional Warfare of the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the strong commitment and constant 
leadership of the chairman, and his doing everything, along with our 
friend, the ranking member of the Committee, to provide the resources 
in problem-solving for our military that they so richly deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, it is only fitting and timely that we take time to honor 
and commend the brave individuals serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. 
Today, as we go about our normal, everyday business, thousands of 
troops are currently deployed or are already in locations across the 
globe to protect and safeguard the freedom and liberty we hold so dear. 
They are nobly answering the call of duty, separated from their 
families, friends, and loved ones. While putting themselves in harm's 
way, they seek to root out the evil that we have seen on September 11, 
2001, and other terrorist acts of the past few years. Elimination of 
terrorism and terrorists is their mission. It is clear that they will 
succeed.
  Mr. Speaker, just yesterday I was at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force 
Base in my district in North Carolina. There I saw thousands of 
Reservists preparing to deploy to undisclosed locations. Even though 
many of the 18th Airborne Corps, the 82nd, and Special Forces have 
already deployed, the post was a flurry of activity with mobile food 
tents, additional and temporary PXes, troops sleeping at night on cots 
in gymnasiums, and soldiers everywhere.
  As these individuals, many of whom are members of the National Guard 
and Reserve, prepared to deploy, morale was high and they are ready.

                              {time}  1230

  I cannot express how proud I am of them and the entire military 
community in Fayetteville, North Carolina for their service, selfless 
attitude and sacrifice.
  Nearly 225,000 members of the Guard and Reserve have been mobilized. 
It is important to recognize the support the employers of these folks 
have provided in this mobilization effort. For example, the Right Gear 
Bicycle Shop in Concord was a two-man small business until the second 
of the two men were deployed. This is vitally important because of the 
contribution that half of the workforce of this important small 
business provides.
  Yesterday, I and my wife, Barbara, also met with spouses to discuss 
the impact that mobilization has on families. The support these 
individuals have provided for their loved ones and the hardships that 
they are enduring are to be recognized and commended. When they have 
problems this Congress must do all that it can to solve those problems.
  Mr. Speaker, the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and prosecuting 
the

[[Page H1593]]

global war on terrorism has thrust our Nation's military into the 
spotlight and called to duty the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed 
Forces. U.S. citizens are rallying behind them in strong support of the 
harrowing mission they have been called on to perform.
  While terrorists and dictators seek to weaken the American spirit, 
their murderous acts instead serve to unite us in a way that has not 
been seen in decades. The 8th District of North Carolina has long 
played a key role in our Nation's defense, and I am honored to be able 
to pay tribute to the brave soldiers, sailors, coasties and Marines in 
my State and across this wonderful Nation. May God protect them and 
their families as they fulfill their duty and may He provide them the 
strength to perform the mission they are called on to do. May God bless 
and protect our U.S. Armed Forces and the United States of America.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Frost).
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in commending the 
service men and women of our Armed Services.
  Mr. Speaker, I supported the resolution authorizing the President to 
use force if necessary to disarm the Iraqi regime. But regardless of 
Members' views on that resolution, we are united in our support of our 
troops. All of these brave men and women volunteered for duty and we 
have a responsibility to recognize the sacrifices that they have made 
to defend America's security.
  My wife, Army Major General Cathy Frost, Commander of the Army Air 
Force Exchange Service recently visited our troops in Kuwait, Bahrain, 
UAE and Qatar. She shared with me the commitment of the brave young men 
and women on the fronts lines and their willingness to do whatever is 
required of them by our country. And I would also like to add a word of 
support for the more than 200 civilian employees of the Army Air Force 
Exchange Service who are operating PXs in that region in support of our 
service men and women.
  We all sincerely hope that war in Iraq can still be avoided. However, 
this House is united today in sending a clear message to America's 
allies and adversaries alike: We stand united in support of our troops.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) who represents Quantico Marine Base, 
Dahlgren Air Force Base, Fort Eustis, many other military installations 
and thousands and thousands of great service personnel.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for 
his yeoman's work in supporting our men and women in the military.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 27, a 
resolution which expresses our support for our service members 
currently engaged in our global war on terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, today I say thank you to these proud men and women in 
our Armed Services and to their families who bravely support them back 
here at home.
  Currently we have forces present in Afghanistan, the Philippines, 
Yemen and many other countries. They lay down their lives for us on a 
daily basis for our cherished freedoms. At this time we have over 
200,000 troops serving in the Gulf region, a force which serves us, a 
force which protects us, a force which stands ready to implements 18 
United Nations' resolutions.
  Mr. Speaker, as we approach what I believe will ultimately be the H-
hour for our forces, let us bear in mind the sacrifices and service 
which these young men and women offer our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing this measure before 
us. May God bless our troops and may God bless the United States of 
America.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Doggett).
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, with one voice we unite to thank, bless, 
and pray for America's sons and daughters in uniform who puts 
themselves in harm's way for our country. For their sacrifice, for the 
sacrifice of their families, no mere resolution is sufficient to 
express our gratitude.
  In our democracy, our military is ultimately led by our elected 
civilian leaders and this division of power is one source of our 
country's strength and stability. I have no disagreement with our 
service men and women who obey their duties and carry out their orders. 
My only disagreement, my very strong disagreement, rests with President 
Bush over Iraq, not with those who bravely execute his commands. Last 
month at the Texas Capitol I spoke to 10,000 of our neighbors who 
joined me in seeking a solution without war.
  My previous speech at that spot was to honor our veterans' service in 
defense of freedom, the very liberty that allows us to express our 
dissent. Saluting our military is not the same as saluting the civilian 
decisions that heighten the danger to our soldiers, while diverting the 
resources needed to protect Americans from genuine threats.
  As we praise America's young men and women who do their duty, we in 
this Congress should dedicate ourselves in doing our own duty--working 
to bring them all safely home.
  And I would add that I salute the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Hunter), and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) because this is 
the type of bipartisan resolution that rightly brings us together as 
Americans, instead of dividing us with inflammatory rhetoric and 
tearing us asunder. I hope we have more resolutions in this spirit in 
this House.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Kirk) who is a veteran of the Gulf War and presently a 
U.S. Naval reservist.
  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California 
(Chairman Hunter) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for 
bringing this to the floor.
  All of us Americans care for our forces but many of us who still wear 
the uniforms knows the names of the man Americans who are deployed 
overseas. Six of us here in the Congress still wear the uniform 
regularly, and just this weekend, I served in the Pentagon.
  I have a privilege to represent a congressional district, including 
Great Lakes Naval Training Center where 90 percent of the men and women 
in our fleet deployed were trained, and Ft. Sheridan, where key Army 
aviation and intelligence functions are administered.
  We think about the Americans abroad today. Specifically we think 
about the Americans at CFLIK at Camp Doha, at the 5th Fleet in Manama, 
Bahrain, at CENTCOM Forward in Qatar, at the ONW headquarters where I 
served at Incirlik, Turkey, at the OSW headquarters at Prince Sultan 
Airbase in Saudi Arabia.
  We have a special thanks for the 174,000 reservists who have been 
called up, citizen soldiers, sailors and airmen, serving in Operation 
Noble Eagle to protect us here at home, Enduring freedom in Afghanistan 
and around the world, and of course for lack of a better term, Desert 
Storm II coming up.
  But as a Navy guy, I want to give a special note of thanks to the 
four acres of freedom, wherever America needs and those are our carrier 
battle groups. I particularly want to thank the crews of the Roosevelt 
Battle Group, the Nimitz Battle Group, Constellation Battle Group, 
Truman Battle Group, and Kitty Hawk Battle Group. As we say to the 
young men and women, we wish you fair wind and following seas and a 
bravo zulu from the United States Congress.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished 
ranking member for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am so privileged to be able to be present today in 
this House as we debate H.J. Res. 27. To the Chairman of the Committee 
on Armed Services and my very dear friend, the gentleman from Missouri 
(Mr. Skelton). I thank them for bringing this forward because I am very 
much reminded of why I have the privilege of standing here, not of my 
own accord or on behalf of my own devices or talents. It is because I 
have defenders of freedom across the world.

[[Page H1594]]

  This is an appropriate resolution that says recognizing and 
commending the continuing dedication, selfless service and commitment 
of members of the Armed Forces and their families during the global war 
on terrorism and in defense of the United States.
  I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) who shares with me 
on the Committee on Homeland Security, recognizing the importance of 
our Armed Services.
  Mr. Speaker, I visited them in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Albania and Cuba. 
I just visited the 75th Division of the Army Reserves in Houston as 
they went off to train those who will be deployed. There is no doubt 
that we stand united. I joined a community in Houston in a pro-America 
rally. Though we may have disagreed on the question of war in Iraq, we 
were united on the question of supporting our military troops.
  I will be voting enthusiastically on supporting this resolution, and 
I think all of us are blessed by the fact that we live in a country in 
which we can pray to our God, we can speak our minds, we can teach our 
children, and we have the brave men and women, young men and women, our 
family members and our reservists on the front lines. I thank also the 
citizens, the civilians who are supporting us as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H.J. Res. 27 and ask my colleagues to support 
it.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, in Vietnam, guys on the ground used to refer 
to the jets overhead as fast movers, and today we always wondered about 
the comfortable life that they lead. So I was talking to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Cunningham) and the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. 
Gibbons) about that very thing recently.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. 
Gibbons) who piloted fast movers, that is, fighter aircraft in both 
Vietnam and the Gulf War, and who is a veteran of those two conflicts 
and a great leader in the Committee on Armed Services, and also a guy 
who represents Nellis Air Force Base and Also the Fallon Naval Air 
Station.
  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. 
I rise today in strong support of this resolution, and I commend all of 
our troops at home and abroad for their efforts in the war on 
terrorism.
  For 17 months, the men and women of Armed Forces have fought in 
Afghanistan, protected our homeland and done everything our Nation has 
asked them to do. The war on terrorism continues to produce results 
such as the recent arrest of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. But yesterday's 
bombing in the Philippines, which claimed innocent American lives, 
should remind us that this war is ongoing and unfinished.
  Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting three heroes of this 
ongoing war, and I was honored to introduce them before the Nevada 
State Legislature.
  Captain Andra Kneip, a recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses 
and her husband, Major Scott Kneip, both of them A-10 fighter pilots, 
exemplify the great people serving our country. I also had the honor of 
introducing First Lieutenant Thomas J. Cahill and his family. 
Lieutenant Cahill was awarded one of the Nation's highest awards, the 
Silver Star, for flying his helicopter into withering fire to save the 
lives of three United States Army soldiers on the ground. These young 
men and women have heard their Nation's call and have responded 
accordingly.
  Mr. Speaker, let there be no doubt that if our troops are called 
again in Iraq, America can expect nothing but the greatest efforts of 
the greatest military in the world.
  There are other heros in the war on terrorism who should also be 
honored for making the ultimate sacrifice in defending our Nation from 
terrorism. Brave Nevadans, such as Jason Disney, Jason Bayer and 
Matthew Commons, along with all the other members of our military who 
have died defending our Nation, remind us of the treasured gift of 
freedom that they have bestowed upon all of us.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we commend our service members on 
behalf of a grateful Nation. And I know that the American people will 
continue to pour out their support for all of our troops. As a veteran 
of the Persian Gulf War, I remember and still appreciate the 
overwhelming support that was given to our troops and was shown by the 
American people. The letters, emails and packages sent a very powerful 
message to my comrades and me that America does care.
  America supports the Guardsmen and Reservists who have put on the 
uniform to fight terror and protect our Nation. America supports the 
employers who have seen their best employees called into service. 
America supports the families who have watched their loved ones bravely 
answer the call to service. Let this resolution say to all our Nation's 
soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen, America supports you.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Pelosi), the minority leader.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time 
and for his extraordinary leadership on behalf of the men and women in 
uniform in his career in Congress. And I commend the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Hunter) as well, the chairman of the committee, the two 
of them, for bringing this resolution to the floor, which I was proud 
to join my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman) in 
being an early co-sponsor of.
  Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of going to Whiteman Air Force Base 
with our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton) to say to the men and women in uniform there how proud we are 
of them, how proud we are of their patriotism, the sacrifice that they 
are willing to make. And this weekend I joined the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Hobson) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) to visit 
our men and women in uniform in the Persian Gulf.

                              {time}  1245

  We had the privilege of representing both sides of the aisle to the 
young men and women there to say how proud again that we were of them 
and the sacrifice they were making.
  All of us take pride in the many relationships we have with the 
military. My uncle died in the Battle of the Bulge. My family continues 
to be proud of the Purple Heart he received. Four of my brothers 
served, three in the active army, one in the reserve. So when we saw 
these young people there, it was bringing a lot of history to the 
conversation.
  One young woman we met, Captain Jennifer Schulke, was the commander 
of the Patriot. She oversaw the Patriot missile. She is so talented, so 
in control of her situation, so smart, so wise, and so brave. We asked 
her about her life personally, and she told us that her little baby 
girl was going to be 2 years old on March 27. She, of course, will not 
be home for her daughter's birthday. Imagine the sacrifice that this 
young woman is making, not only with her life, possibly, but also being 
away from her family.
  Mr. Speaker, the stories go on and on. The patriotism is endless. 
Wherever we stand on this war in terms of policy, we are united in our 
support and admiration for the men and women in uniform, for their 
courage, for their patriotism, and for the sacrifice they are willing 
to make for our country.
  The Korean War Memorial has engraved on it, ``Freedom is not free.'' 
No one knows that better than the men and women in uniform.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).
  Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me 
this time, and I rise in support of H.J. Res. 27, commending and 
expressing the gratitude of a grateful Nation to all members of the 
United States Armed Forces, and particularly the members from the State 
of Iowa, which has a long history of combat in every single major 
battle that has taken place since 1846, when Iowa became a State.
  Mr. Speaker, Iowa has 16 National Guard bases simply in just the 
Fifth District of Iowa, and many of those men and women are off now, 
away from their jobs and family, making their sacrifices and meeting 
their commitment as they volunteer alongside our full-time members of 
the Armed Services.
  Iowans have suffered greatly over the years in defending our freedom 
and our

[[Page H1595]]

liberty. In particular, the small but mighty town of Red Oak, Iowa, 
which suffered the highest number of fatalities in combat in World War 
II on a per capita basis of any community in the United States of 
America. They were called together one night as a community to receive 
the announcement as a community that they had lost 20 members of that 
small community in one single battle in World War II.
  That is the level of commitment that Iowa has had from all of its 
people in supporting our military, and we have strongly supported the 
members of our Armed Forces. Also, during the Civil War, our percentage 
of losses as a percentage of the population overall were higher than 
any other State in the Union.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to point out to the members of this Nation also 
that our President made a statement the other day in which he said 
there is only one person that orders our Armed forces into battle, and 
that is the one who hugs the widows and widowers of those who do not 
come back home. We also understand that is the same person who hugs the 
widows and widowers of those lost in the attacks on the World Trade 
Center, on the Pentagon, and from the crash in Pennsylvania. Mr. 
Speaker, while only one person orders them into battle, we all pray for 
their safety and their safe return.
  Our Armed forces are a vanguard for freedom, and the sacrifices they 
give give hope to all people. There is no training and no equipment too 
good for our Armed Forces, and I stand here in great appreciation to 
Iowans and Americans who are defending our freedom and our liberty.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Ortiz).
  (Mr. ORTIZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our chairman, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Hunter) and the ranking member, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Skelton), for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, America's greatness is in our form of government. Our 
strength is the character of our people and our justice is delivered by 
brave men and women in the uniform of the United States. Since the 
Nation was attacked on September 11, Americans have bled and died, 
rescued countrymen, cleaned up the damage, and carried justice to our 
enemies in al Qaeda and their sponsors in Afghanistan. This resolution 
tells our men and women in uniform that this Nation is eternally 
grateful for their service, an important message to the troops in an 
atmosphere of question about the Iraqi mission.
  This war has required sacrifice for many people: Our Armed Forces, 
including guardsmen, reserves, their families and their employers. Our 
citizen soldiers have undergone a serious hardship since this began, as 
many are beginning their second and third deployment. As we express our 
condolences to the families of great soldiers lost in Afghanistan and 
around the world, let us remember that all of our soldiers will give to 
this effort, and some will give their all.
  I still hope that the war in Iraq can be averted, but that hope grows 
dimmer each day. I thank our troops for their bravery and sacrifice. We 
pray to God to protect our troops and to give us guidance and wisdom to 
do what is right.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to, say, to the gentleman who just spoke, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Ortiz), that I remember the time when he and I and other members of the 
committee went down to Honduras when the 82nd Airborne jumped into 
Honduras to stiffen the spine of the Honduran government, which had 
seen an invasion of the Sandinistas along their border.
  I will never forget, in a national press conference, with lots of 
cameras, when the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) was asked the 
question, ``Don't you feel any sympathy with the Sandinistas, based on 
your ethnicity?'' The gentleman told them very simply that he was an 
American. And I remember him being in many, many inconvenient and 
difficult places to ensure that our troops were in good shape.
  And let me also say, before I yield to the next speaker, and I know 
my great friend, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) would agree with this strongly, that 
we are all very grateful to the employers. Part of this resolution is 
an expression of ``thank you'' and gratitude to all the employers in 
America, whether they are a six-man machine shop or a large 
corporation, with the accommodations that they give, that America's 
employers are giving to our reservists, to these citizen soldiers who 
drop that tool that they are using or get out from behind the wheel of 
that truck and put on the uniform of the United States and go off, in 
some cases, for an extended period of time to defend this Nation.
  I can just tell my colleagues that there are lots and lots of 
examples of companies and small businesses which have bent over 
backwards to take care of those folks and make sure that that job is 
preserved for them, and going far beyond what is called for by the law 
and mandated by the law. So I just want to let them know that we really 
appreciate what they are doing. And I know the gentleman from Texas 
would agree with that, because there are lots of great employers in 
south Texas who have done the same thing. Are there not?
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. HUNTER. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I do agree with the chairman, and I know at 
least in my district we have had guardsmen and reservists being 
activated. They are loyal to that country and they believe in what they 
are doing.
  And let me thank the gentleman from California for his kind words, 
Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I greatly appreciate everything the 
gentleman is saying.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership. We 
appreciate that.
  Mr. HUNTER. We will keep working.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Foley).
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, as the son of a marine who served during 
World War II in the First Division at Guadalcanal, and a brother who 
served in the United States Army, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 
27, a resolution introduced by Chairman Hunter, commending the members 
of the United States Armed Services.
  We are all aware that we are well into the second year of operations 
Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. In addition, the United States 
military is deploying hundreds of thousands of troops to the Persian 
Gulf region. Finally, we are forward deploying additional units in the 
western Pacific to deter North Korean aggression. From protecting the 
homeland, winning the war on terrorism, to making the world safe from 
madmen like Saddam Hussein, the men and women of the United States 
Armed Services are serving this Nation well. We can all be very proud 
of their efforts and their sacrifice and that of their families.
  I would like to also recognize the often overlooked role of the 
National Guard and components of the military. Tens of thousands of 
reservists and guardsmen from Florida are in Afghanistan and in the 
Middle East. I am continually impressed by these dedicated men and 
women who gladly go into harm's way to protect the Nation. Let us hope 
America recognizes our true heroes; not rock stars, not sports 
athletes, but the men and women who don the uniform of this great 
Nation who protect freedom everywhere, wherever they are called.
  I want to thank Chairman Hunter, and of course the ranking member, 
the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), for their outstanding 
leadership in military efforts and affairs. We are indeed proud in this 
House to have such capable and able people who understand what it is 
like to fight for this Nation; to fight in battle, to fight for 
freedom.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Hunter for giving me this 
opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks and profound gratitude to 
our service personnel, and especially to the mothers, daughters, sons, 
and husbands who willingly let them go to do the hardest job 
imaginable, to leave family and friends and loved ones, to travel 
overseas to defend the honor of this great land we call home.

[[Page H1596]]

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to 
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall), who is a member of the 
Committee on Armed Services and also a veteran, a Ranger, from the 
Vietnam War.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and I appreciate his introduction.
  I rise today as a veteran myself to thank the men and women who are 
serving us today overseas. But more so, I rise today for their 
families. This is a very difficult time for those serving in our Armed 
Forces, the men and women who are in harm's way, and it is, in another 
sense, an even more difficult time for their families. Not only is 
there separation, not only is there an additional workload for the 
family, but there is also the worry that a loved one in harm's way will 
be harmed, might not come home, or, if they come home, might be injured 
in some way.
  Mr. Speaker, all of us here in the House would ask that Americans 
reach out, as we did after 9-11, to the families of those who lost 
loved ones in that horrible tragedy. Reach out to these families whose 
loved ones are serving us overseas. They need just a phone call, maybe 
an invitation to dinner. The employers could provide maybe some flex-
time, some time off for a woman to shoulder the additional load that is 
being placed on her by the absence of her husband. This is the way 
America should be responding during this time. It is a way all of us 
can respond, those of us here in the United States who are here today. 
We can support the loved ones.
  While I was in Vietnam, my mother was unable to write me a single 
letter. She always wrote me. But she could not write me because she was 
so worried and did not want to think about it. Support for mothers like 
mine, for wives, for husbands, for daughters, brothers and sisters is 
something all Americans can give during this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank those men and women in uniform for their 
service. I know they are doing their duty. And I also thank all of 
those who are loved ones here in the United States that are under 
extraordinary pressure at this time. All Americans should reach out to 
them.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Buyer), a Gulf War veteran and former very distinguished 
subcommittee chairman on the House Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this 
time, and I come to the floor as the proud son of an army sergeant, and 
I have a brother who is a colonel on active duty in the United States 
Army.
  Mr. Speaker, I have served our Nation for 22 years, in war and in 
peace, and I think of my comrades who now find themselves once again on 
the desert floor. And I think not only about them, but those who also 
control the sky, who own the sea, who will take control of the 
beachheads, and also those who will build the theater of operations and 
those who support them Stateside and in other countries dispersed 
around the world.

                              {time}  1300

  I also come to the floor not only thinking of them, about also about 
the families that they leave behind, the loved one that keeps the watch 
fires burning, the children who are anxious for mom or dad to come 
home.
  While we think of them, I want the country to focus on two 
individuals that are helping set the pace, and that is the gentleman 
from California (Chairman Hunter) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton). These are two individuals that lead the best bipartisan 
committee in the United States Congress; it is because of their 
leadership. The work that the gentlemen did after the Gulf War, all 
those hearings, all of their dedication to try to get the force 
structure right, to ensure the right munitions, to move from analog to 
digital, to make sure that the forces are highly mobile and very 
lethal, and that those munitions go downrange and hit their targets 
with precision, all that work the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) 
and the gentleman from California (Chairman Hunter) did will see great 
dividends.
  The world saw some of those dividends with regard to Afghanistan. The 
leadership of the gentlemen to make sure that those forces and special 
operations were trained and funded, believe me, it saved lives. So as 
today we want to pay respect and appreciation to those who find 
themselves in harm's way and to appreciate the sacrifice of the loved 
ones, I want to say thank you to the gentleman from California 
(Chairman Hunter) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), and 
the staff that work for them, because the things that they have done 
when nobody was watching is going to save lives not only in 
Afghanistan, it could be on the Horn of Africa, it could be in the 
deserts of Iraq once again. I cannot say enough to pay respect to both 
gentlemen for what they have done.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Davis), a member of the Committee on Armed 
Services.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
resolution that I cosponsor, and I want to thank the gentleman from 
California (Chairman Hunter) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton) for it as well.
  Those in military service to our Nation deserve our strong support in 
a time of such great uncertainty. But I would also add that their 
families deserve our support.
  Mr. Speaker, each of us has said good-bye to a loved one headed to an 
airport for a business trip. Now imagine if that trip was halfway 
around the world and involved great risk. Imagine not knowing when they 
would be home. Today, more than 20,000 of our neighbors are in the 
Middle East. In San Diego and in communities all across the country, 
spouses and children will eat dinner tonight with an empty chair at the 
table. They will watch the news and wonder. When we talk to them, they 
will appear strong, and they are strong; but they need us.
  I recently met with a group of Navy ombudsmen, women serving the 
families of those in their unit. They told me that their husbands have 
spent their entire careers preparing for what they face today; but they 
said the families must also prepare for the uncertainty for what they 
face, and let me tell Members, they are prepared. As we all wait and 
wonder, let us remember the important role of military families and 
reach out to them.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the Committee on Armed 
Services in strong support of the Hunter-Skelton resolution commending 
the members of the United States Armed Forces.
  Mr. Speaker, the area of Georgia I represent has a long history of 
involvement with the American military. Thousands of brave men and 
women from our area have donned the uniform of our Armed Forces to 
protect and defend the freedoms that we all enjoy. In the current war 
against terrorism, and other crucial conflicts around the world, the 
Eleventh Congressional District of Georgia is again providing leading 
support at home and abroad.
  I am proud to represent Fort Benning, which has been training the 
world's best infantry soldiers since 1918. It is the third largest 
personnel post, home to 30,000 soldiers, 25,000 family members, and 
6,500 civilian employees. Many of these soldiers are presently deployed 
in the Persian Gulf and other areas around the globe. Thousands more 
have received training at Fort Benning's Infantry, Ranger and Airborne 
Training Brigades.
  In the northern part of my district, Dobbins Air Reserve Base and 
Naval Air Station Atlanta also contribute significant support to our 
current operations. As the home of the 22nd Air Wing, Dobbins has 
jurisdiction over thousands of activated Air Force reserves who put 
their personal and professional lives on hold in our Armed Forces.
  Mr. Speaker, I am enormously proud of the men and women in the 
American military. They are in my prayers every day. I recognize the 
immense sacrifices that they and their families make in order to 
protect us, as well as the commitment they demonstrate by serving our 
Nation. Congress has no greater duty than to match this commitment with 
appropriate funding for their training, their equipment and benefits

[[Page H1597]]

for their families. I urge my colleagues to support our brave 
servicemembers, not only today through this resolution, but every day 
they are in Congress.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Israel), a member of the Committee on Armed 
Services.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I am a new member of the Committee on Armed 
Services and very proud to be serving on that committee under the able 
leadership of the gentleman from California (Chairman Hunter) and the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the ranking member.
  Mr. Speaker, last month I visited the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve 
Center in Amityville, New York, to bid farewell and Godspeed to the 
Alpha Company of the 6th Communication Battalion. They went willingly; 
they sacrifice selflessly; they serve proudly. I remember their faces; 
I remember their families' faces.
  Our Nation owes them the legislation before us today, but we owe them 
much more than that. We must stand with them. We need to protect their 
jobs, protect their incomes, protect their homes, provide health care 
for their families while they are away, and just as important, after 
they return.
  We cannot ask men and women who fight for our freedom abroad to fight 
for their veterans benefits when they return home. We cannot balance 
the domestic budgets on the backs of those who are willing to fight on 
our fronts. We have a covenant with these patriots. We have a moral 
contract with these soldiers. We have a national commitment to these 
hundreds of thousands of faceless heroes and their families. So as we 
stand here united in praise of our troops, let us never forget the 
sustained and long-term obligation we have to our regular Armed Forces, 
our activated Reserves and our veterans.
  They are there for us, and we must be there for them. They are the 
ones who truly and bravely answer the philosopher's charge: ``Freedom 
must be reinvented in every generation.'' God bless them. God bless 
America.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this story of this massive mobilization which has been 
undertaken is a story of people. It is a story of families and a story 
of close-knit communities.
  We have a group of folks in Operation Home Front in San Diego, 
California, which is a support group, lots of businesses, lots of great 
folks, community leaders and lots of community servants, who have 
gotten together to try to build a group that will be a support group 
for the families and all the folks who are still at home. They have 
done a wonderful job.
  That model was started by, I believe, Roger Hedgecock, one of our 
radio talk show hosts, spread throughout San Diego County. I know that 
idea has spread throughout the country. It is representative of this 
great community that does find common ground in this very important 
first duty and first obligation of our government, which is to ensure 
the security of its people.
  Mr. Speaker, I think there is nothing more descriptive of the support 
of our uniformed personnel than a letter which was written to a Marine 
sergeant, Benjamin Harris, by his wife. This letter could just as 
easily have been written to the battlefield at Gettysburg, sent to a 
base camp in Vietnam, the Chosin Reservoir during Korea, or the 
Guadalcanal beachhead during World War II:
  ``My Dearest Ben, I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. As I 
look into our son's eyes every day, I see you. I miss you every second 
we're apart, but there is a reason for our separation. You've been my 
hero for years, now it's time for the world to see you shine.
  ``Finally everyone will see all that you stand for, all that you're 
made of: pride, honor, strength, and a faith that shames most men. 
Though my heart aches without, I know what my duty as a Marine's wife 
calls for, and so I give you to our country, to our world, `to fight 
for right and freedom,' as a Marine's hymn states. I give you to the 
families who lost in the attacks on our country, and I give you to the 
rest of the world. Without men like you, people wouldn't have the 
freedom to sit down to dinner with their families, to tuck their 
children into bed at night knowing that they'll be safe. I understand 
the pain of separation is temporary. If I must give up the sound of 
your laughter for the sound of my tears, so be it. The sound of my 
tears then will give me strength as your laughter once did. They are 
tears of loneliness, anger and fear, but also of pride and love. You 
are the air I breathe, and while I am lost without you, I know you'll 
be home soon to find me. God speed, and God bless. Your loving wife, 
Erica.''
  Mr. Speaker, that is the story of mobilizations that took place in 
the last century, that left 619,000 Americans dead on battlefields 
around the world. That is the story of the American mobilizations which 
have given freedom to hundreds of millions of people in this world, and 
which shortly may give freedom to millions more; and it cannot be done 
without the sacrifices that are manifested in thousands of letters, 
hundreds of thousands of letters like the one I just read.
  To all my colleagues who contributed to this resolution, I want to 
thank them and thank my great partner in rebuilding our national 
defense, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a distinct honor to serve with the chairman, a 
veteran himself, who knows so well what we are honoring here today; and 
I thank the gentleman for his efforts and for his dedication and 
leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from American 
Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California 
(Chairman Hunter) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the 
ranking member, for their outstanding leadership and services rendered 
not only to our country, but especially on matters pertaining to 
defense.
  Mr. Speaker, at the most crucial time in our Nation's history, we are 
faced with the likely prospect of putting our men and women in uniform 
in harm's way. This is a serious and solemn responsibility not only for 
our President but also for the Congress of the United States.
  Recently, I had the privilege of visiting the Demilitarized Zone 
between North and South Korea, along with the gentleman from North 
Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney), and 
certainly I would like to express our appreciation to General Leon 
LaPorte who is in charge of some 37,000 of our troops who are stationed 
there in Korea. I would also like to thank Dr. Edward Feulner, the 
president of Heritage Foundation, for allowing us to visit the leaders 
of South Korea. I am deeply aware of the important decisions these 
leaders have to make in the coming weeks and months.
  It was my privilege also to visit my own constituents who are also 
stationed in Korea including Sergeant Major Special Forces Tui Nua, and 
15 other members of my constituents who are on active duty. I 
especially thank Ambassador Seung Youn Kim for the hospitality and 
courtesies that he extended by allowing me and my constituents who are 
serving on active duty in Korea to work together and to enjoy each 
other's company.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this most fitting 
resolution.

                              {time}  1315

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). The gentleman from California (Mr. 
Hunter) has 1 minute remaining and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton) has 12 minutes remaining.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask unanimous consent and 
with the consent of my great colleague the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton) that we might take one of his minutes and thereby be able to 
yield 2 minutes to our closing speaker, the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Total Force, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, that is quite all right. We do yield such 
minute.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Hunter) will control 1 additional minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUNTER. What we might do if it is okay with the gentleman from 
Missouri, perhaps he can continue with his

[[Page H1598]]

speakers and then we will wrap up with the gentleman from New York as 
we get close to the end.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, first of all, we are very proud of the 
service of the chairman and ranking member. As I was coming over here, 
ironically, and I see the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) is here, 
I got a call from a constituent who thanked me. I did not get a chance 
to talk with her. I have to call her back. Thanking the five of us who 
went to central Asia and to the Middle East and the flags we brought to 
our troops and the greetings from our President and the entire 
Congress, thanking us for providing a flag to her husband. I am anxious 
to call her back.
  Congresswoman, we are proud of you as well. This was a sobering 
experience. It was elevating by every stretch of the imagination to be 
with the troops in the field.
  Some may disagree with policy on this floor, but this is America, and 
we are allowed to do that. The troops understand that there is a 
difference in debating policy and supporting their efforts. We are 100 
percent behind our troops and they know that and we know that as proud 
Americans. So God bless this country, regardless if you are in Camp 
Doha, if you are in Coyote, or if you are in New York or New Jersey, if 
you are in Camp Ganci, named after that great fire chief from New York 
City, we are here 100 percent in support of you. God bless this great 
country.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Mr. Bordallo).
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I am a new member of the Committee on 
Armed Services. I would like to recognize the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Hunter), our chairman, and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton), our ranking member.
  On September 11, 2001, I was acting Governor of Guam. I will remember 
that day forever. Even though the terrorist attacks occurred thousands 
of miles away, the people of Guam heard the call to service in defense 
of our Nation. The 44th Aerial Port Squadron of Guam mobilized to the 
Middle East and the 368th Military Police Company of Guam has been 
deployed to Okinawa and mainland Japan. Our first responders, the 
National Guard, the Reserves and the active duty military are defending 
this Nation against those that attack innocent civilians.
  Our troops are forgoing their families and, in some cases, their 
livelihoods to combat this threat. So I want to thank them very much 
for carrying the burden of separation and living with the fear of loss 
of their loved ones in service of our great Nation. This is a war that 
cannot be won by force of arms alone, but by the unity and strength of 
purpose of our Nation. That strength of purpose shines bright in our 
servicemen and women and they will deliver victory. They do us all 
proud. I commend them and thank them for their ongoing successful 
mission defending the homeland and on the front lines of freedom 
throughout the world.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Evans).
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, my congressional district lies a long way 
from the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, but on September 11 all 
of America was a victim of this deadly and unprovoked attack. The next 
day, my office was inundated with calls from young men and women ready 
to enlist in our Armed Forces to serve in the war against terrorism. 
Now almost 18 months later, these seasoned soldiers and sailors are on 
the front line of terrorism, having already served in places like 
Afghanistan, the Philippines and in the Horn of Africa. I salute their 
courage and selfless dedication.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).
  Mr. EMANUEL. I thank my colleague from Missouri for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the first acts I did as a Congressman was to 
expedite the citizenship of a young man, Mano Catchatoorian, who is in 
the 416th Engineer Command, so he could ship out with his unit to 
Kuwait on February 24. I cannot think of a better thing than an 
individual who wanted to become a citizen and move out with his unit so 
he can join our forces but, most importantly, to be part of his Nation.
  I want us all to think about what we are doing today, because we are 
supporting our troops, we are supporting their families, and we are 
supporting our communities that will be missing the Little League 
coaches, the folks who work at the boys clubs, the girls clubs, the Boy 
Scouts. This is an appropriate thing, because Mano, before he left, he 
called me the next day, thanked me for what we did to expedite his 
citizenship. He said to me, ``just do me one favor. Don't forget us.'' 
I cannot think of a more just act than what we are doing today, 
regardless of our party, regardless of where we come from, not to 
forget them.
  Although we will vote in this resolution to support our troops, later 
on tonight I would like us all to put them and their families in our 
prayers.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Green).
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my strong 
support to the joint resolution of both my colleagues, Chairman Hunter 
and also Ranking Member Skelton. I think not only myself, but all of us 
have the highest respect for our young men and women, and they deserve 
our sincerest gratitude, for the Armed Forces in our country do not 
make foreign policy, they fulfill the tasks that our democracy puts to 
them with skill and honor.
  In my hometown of Houston and throughout Texas, many active duty 
personnel have been shipped overseas and Reserve and National Guard 
units are also being called up. The Houston-based 75th Army Training 
and Support Division has been completely mobilized for the first time 
since World War II. Just yesterday, the 17,000 strong 1st Cavalry 
Division based in Fort Hood, Texas, got the call to ship out overseas.
  These men and women are not allowed to tell where they are heading or 
what this mobilization will lead to, but this is a life they 
volunteered for. The war on terrorism requires sacrifices for many, but 
the military is always on the front lines defending our national 
security. After September 11, the work required of our military has 
greatly expanded, and I believe they are up to the task.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell our Armed Forces that our 
hearts and minds and prayers are with them.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Hunter and 
Ranking Member Skelton for bringing this resolution to honor the men 
and women who are serving. I happen to represent in my district Fort 
Bragg and Polk, the two bases that are called the 911 posts in this 
country. Thousands of those men and women are now stationed around the 
world.
  But in addition to what has been said, let me talk about a group of 
young folks who have not been spoken about today and that is the 
children of these men and women that have been deployed. They watch TV 
every night. They hear the stories. Our school personnel deal with them 
every day. They deserve our help each and every day. They deserve that 
we do the right thing as we honor the men and women who are serving. As 
we start our appropriations processes later, we have the obligation to 
make sure that the children of these men and women are taken care of, 
because they face some difficult times and our school personnel deal 
with them on a daily basis with many of the traumas that they face.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen for the resolution and encourage 
it to my colleagues.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Edwards).
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I will be brief because no words can 
adequately express the debt of gratitude we owe our servicemen and 
women and their families for the sacrifices they make on behalf of our 
country. But I do want to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Hunter) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for sponsoring 
this important resolution showing our deep respect for our servicemen 
and women.
  I would add one footnote. I hope we will show them our respect with 
our

[[Page H1599]]

deeds and not just with our words and vote on this resolution. I am 
still bothered by the fact that the budget proposal suggests a cut in 
Impact Aid military education funding to the children of moms and dads 
who, as we speak, from my district and others, are being deployed over 
to the Iraqi theater. With the leadership of these two great supporters 
of our military families and others on both sides of the aisle, I hope 
we will support them with this vote today and with our dollars and with 
our votes on actions that support their quality of life.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to go down to Norfolk 
Naval Base and watch the USS Theodore Roosevelt deploy for its 6-month 
deployment. There I saw the greatness of America aboard ship as the 
sailors would wave and also on the dock as the families, the husbands, 
the wives and the children, they also were and are part of the 
greatness of America.
  Today we see the same scene, of all services, different colored 
uniforms, those who leave, the men and women being deployed, and of the 
families waving and saying good-bye, to the children who will not have 
their mother or their father who are in uniform with them for their 
birthday, for their graduation. This, of course, is a sacrifice of the 
military families.
  We should remember that the young men and young women in uniform, 
their families, children, spouses, really form a backbone of greatness 
in our country. The gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), my friend, 
the chairman of our committee, a veteran himself, we thank him for his 
leadership on this resolution as well as his leadership on the 
Committee on Armed Services. To all the Americans who are sharing in 
this worldwide global battle against terrorism, we wish them well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, with great thanks and respect for my 
colleague the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), I yield the 
balance of my time to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) who is 
the chairman of the Subcommittee on Total Force on Armed Services which 
has jurisdiction over all those important issues with respect to pay 
and bonuses and housing and the melding of our Reserve forces and our 
Guard forces and our active forces together, the guy who cares about 
over a million men and women in uniform.
  Mr. McHUGH. I thank the chairman for yielding, and I deeply 
appreciate the ranking member for yielding me some time as well.
  Mr. Speaker, it would be impossible for me to even begin to equal the 
eloquence of my colleagues who have spoken with such passion and such 
meaning over these past minutes with respect to the subject of this 
resolution. Our debt of gratitude certainly, as has been said time and 
time again, goes to the tremendous bipartisan leadership of two special 
individuals, two men in whom I hold so much admiration, the chairman 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) and, of course, the ranking 
member the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
  This resolution in my mind, Mr. Speaker, would be warranted on any 
day of the week in any year you might choose. It is obviously 
particularly important now as we see the demands that we place upon 
these brave men and women increasingly grow each and every day.

                              {time}  1330

  I too have had a chance to witness these incredible sacrifices. I had 
the honor just a few weeks ago to travel with a number of my colleagues 
throughout the European theater, meeting with the Reservists and 
Guardists and the active component and talked to the folks who too 
often we forget about, too often we take for granted and do not 
understand the sacrifices that they leave behind.
  The resolution speaks to it very eloquently: the hundreds upon 
hundreds of people already having given of their lives and by being 
wounded in combat, the dozens and dozens who have given their lives in 
its fullest measure, from the loss of life through the battle on 
terrorism, and yet never with a regret, never with anything more than 
pride and tears from their families. I think that this resolution, more 
than any others I have seen in many weeks on this floor, deserves the 
unanimous support of all of our colleagues; and I would certainly urge 
each and every one of the Members of this House to support it promptly 
here today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this joint resolution and 
commend Chairman Hunter and Rep. Skelton for bringing it to the floor.
  Ever since the attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, the 
soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines of the U.S. military--be they 
active, National Guard, or reserve volunteers--have willingly gone into 
harm's way to carry out many courageous and successful operations 
against terrorism that have helped to make us at home safer and more 
secure.
  Threescore or more of our military people have died, and hundreds 
have been wounded or injured so far in this Global War on Terrorism, 
but all remain committed to seeing the mission through to the end.
  The fight against terrorism has added new missions to our Armed 
Forces that even prior to September 11th were greatly challenged. The 
10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum in my district is a case in 
point. The deployment of division troops to the combat zone in 
Afghanistan had been matched by deployments of division units to 
Bosnia, Kosovo and the Sinai, as well as to homeland defense missions 
in the United States. As one 10th Division officer told the media: ``We 
like to say the sun never sets on the 10th Mountain Division patch. We 
are literally all over the map.''
  During the 10th Mountain Division's deployment to Afghanistan, 
soldiers such as Staff Sergeant David A. Hruban, Staff Sergeant Randel 
Perez, Specialist Mark T. Henry, and Sergeant James Rissler of the 
Division's 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, distinguished themselves in 
battle. Specialist Wayne Stanton, also of the Division's 1st Battalion, 
87th Infantry, was wounded in the same battle and re-enlisted just last 
week, one year after being wounded, knowing full well that he may soon 
be redeployed to a combat zone. The heroism of these brave soldiers 
embodies the commitment and sacrifice of our military personnel.
  The ability of our military personnel to sustain the war is closely 
related to the willingness of their families, and in the case of 
reservists their employers, to continue making sacrifices. This 
resolution is an effort to recognize and acknowledge that sacrifice.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, as we approach a possible war with Iraq, the 
Nation is about to ask our Armed Forces and their families for 
additional sacrifices. It is thus only right that all members support 
this joint resolution expressing our gratitude to those who are 
fighting for us, and reaffirming that Congress stands united with the 
President in the ongoing effort to defeat global terrorism.
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution to commend the members of the United States armed forces.
  As a veteran of the United States Army, I know firsthand the 
contributions our military service personnel make in defense of our 
nation and the tremendous burden their families are forced to bear. 
Here in the U.S. House, I serve on the Army Caucus, and I work on a 
bipartisan basis to support our men and women in uniform. Our service 
personnel are dedicated, professional and deboted to duty. Congress 
must stand up for these brave men and women who risk their lives to 
defend our country, our ideals and our interests around the world.
  I have the honor of representing the men and women of Fort Bragg and 
Pope Air Force Base. Fort Bragg is truly our nation's ``911'' base 
because when America is in trouble, our leaders pick up the phone and 
call Fort Bragg. The mission at Fort Bragg is to maintain the XVIII 
Airborne Corps as a strategic crisis response force, manned and trained 
to deploy rapidly by air, sea and land anywhere in the world, prepared 
to fight upon arrival and win. Co-located with Fort Bragg, Pope Air 
Force Base provides a unique synergy and has played a leading role in 
the development of U.S. tactics and air-power throughout history. 
Missions at Pope range from providing airlift and close air support to 
American armed forces to humanitarian missions flown all over the 
world. The men and women from these installations, their families and 
the entire community on a daily basis contribute whatever is asked of 
them for our country's safety and security.
  Mr. Speaker, as America stands on the brink of war, hundreds of 
thousands of our military personnel have been deployed abroad. They 
need to know that Congress stands behind them, and this resolution is 
an appropriate expression of our support. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in passing this resolution.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to join with my 
colleagues in commending the continued dedication, selfless service, 
and commitment of members of the

[[Page H1600]]

Armed Forces and their families during the Globar War on Terrorism and 
in defense of the United States.
  It's difficult to comprehend that nearly 225,000 members of the 
National Guard and Reserve components have been mobilized for active 
duty since the start of the Global War on Terrorism. Of that number, 
more than 166,000 remain on active duty, with thousands facing a second 
year of active duty away from families and civilian employment.
  Additionally, more than 200,000 active-duty personnel have already 
been deployed to the Persian Gulf theater and thousands of Reservists 
and National Guard members have been alerted for mobilization or are 
deploying for a possible war with Iraq. These men and women are on the 
front lines of our war on terrorism and anywhere else we have asked 
them to be. One place they are not, is home. They are missing baseball 
games, soccer matches and all the other creature comforts we tend to 
take for granted.
  A year is a long time to be away from home and a long time to be 
wondering what is next. For many of our service members, that year grew 
by an additional three months, then six months and some are now 
standing at 2-year deployments. They do so with loyalty and dedication.
  Mr. Chairman, during the January work period, I had the opportunity 
to visit our men and women in uniform stationed in Germany, Italy and 
France. I was struck by their professionalism and commitment to their 
assigned duties. They are proud to serve. Simple as that. Of course 
they miss their families, they miss their home and some miss decent 
television programming. But they are proud to serve and know they will 
be home soon enough.
  We can never say thanks enough to these men and women but I 
appreciate the opportunity to thanks today.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the young men and 
women of our nation and my district who risk their lives daily to 
protect our nation from global terrorist networks wishing to do us 
harm. Our men and women in uniform's selfless dedication embodies the 
spirit of America. I believe the extraordinary commitment of everday 
Americans to root out fanatics bent on destroying our way of life will 
make us successful in the war on terrorism.
  This is the first war in our nation's history where we face an enemy 
that solely targets innocent civilians, regardless of their age, 
religion, race, or background. And when the call of duty went out to 
mobilize against this enemy, thousands enlisted and re-enlisted to 
fight this global threat.
  A week after the attacks on America, a 40 year old constituent in my 
district called me begging to join the war on terrorism. He is a 40 
year old married farmer and was willing to forsake his home and career 
to serve in the U.S. Army. And as you know, there are no ``leaves of 
absence'' when you farm. He was willing to give up his farm and accept 
a temporary separation from his wife to serve in our nation's armed 
forces. As you can imagine, he called me and wanted assistance in 
joining because the U.S. Army prohibits enlistments beyond 35 years of 
age and conforming to this policy he was denied enlistment. But, I 
commend his unusual, but not uncommon, willingness to serve our nation.
  In my position as the Ranking Democratic Member of the House's 
Veteran's Affairs Committee, I have had numerous veterans approach me 
and personally volunteer to serve and fight in the war against these 
terrorists. Veterans as old as 85 have told me they would be willing to 
join the war on terrorism if their country ever called on them.
  While those of us in Congress may differ on how best to deal with 
Iraq and North Korea, we stand absolutely united on the war on global 
terrorism and our support for our troops. And as the senior Democrat on 
the House's Veteran's Affairs Committee, I will do my part to ensure 
that when these troops return home they are entitled to the protections 
and benefits guaranteed to every veteran. Their selfless sacrifice and 
long absence from home must be rewarded. Just as we stand vigilant 
against any further terrorist acts we must stand together to protect 
the entitlements and benefits that protect the members of our armed 
services when they return home.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, the tragic events of 
September 11th changed our world forever. Engaged in a war, different 
from any other in our nation's history, we are once again calling upon 
the brave members of the U.S. Armed Forces to defend democracy and 
freedom. At this time, during our war on terrorism, I want to commend 
every member of our U.S. Armed Forces.
  While we all desire peace, when war cannot be avoided, our U.S. Armed 
Forces put their lives on the line, with some paying the ultimate 
sacrifice. To all those who wear the uniform we honor and thank you. It 
is also important to thank and commend the family members of our Armed 
Services. Through love and support they enable our forces to embark on 
their difficult battle while trying to maintain their life without 
their loved ones next to them.
  The war on terrorism has just begun. On the frontlines, in America 
and around the world, are the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed 
Forces. They are protecting our rights and freedoms, and for this I 
thank them.
  Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I offer my wholehearted support today for 
H.J. Res 27, which recognizes and commends the continuing dedication, 
selfless service, and commitment of members of the Armed Forces and 
their families in the war on global terrorism and in defense of the 
United States in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere.
  This measure is a simple gesture, but I hope it will convey the 
profound gratitude we feel for the service provided by our men and 
women in uniform. Since I was elected to Congress 20 years ago, I have 
represented Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, which 
provides nearly 40 percent of the Air Force capability to ``Suppress 
Enemy Air Defenses.'' Like most Members, I also represent hundreds of 
men and women in the National Guard and Reserves, who are contributing 
to this nation's defense now more than ever before. So I know firsthand 
of the dedication we recognize today.
  To all of you I offer this message. Your dedication to the defense of 
America, your willingness to go in harm's way, our unparalleled 
capabilities, and your unequaled bravery warrant our highest praise and 
deepest appreciation. Wherever you are serving, I extend a hearfelt 
``thank you.'' Indeed, we should all thank God that there are such 
Americans willing to go anywhere and pay the price of defending freedom 
and the security of this country.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution 
honoring our brave men and women of the armed services. Their duty and 
sacrifice are appreciated by all Americans, and it is right that we pay 
recognition to them today.
  The post September 11th world demands increased vigilance on the part 
of our armed services. With these increased demands, the role of the 
National Guard is critical in providing the total force necessary to 
ensure our security. Over the past month, I have met with many National 
Guard and Reserve members from western Wisconsin who have been called 
up for service in the global war against terrorism.
  Recently, I attended send-off ceremonies in Prairie Du Chien, 
Platteville, and Richland Center, Wisconsin for units of the Wisconsin 
National Guard that have been called to duty. These men and women and 
their families are answering the call of their country, even though 
some have been given very limited notice by the Department of Defense. 
In one instance, the time between alert and mobilization was only 2 
days, making it increasingly difficult to make arrangements regarding 
family and work obligations. Every member of the Wisconsin National 
Guard, however, has reported enthusiastically and without hesitation. 
They are well-trained, well-motivated and, in short, very impressive 
individuals. Our country is fortunate to have the quality of 
individuals in our Armed Forces.
  I want to particularly express my appreciation to the members and 
families of the 229th Engineer Company out of Prairie Du Chien and 
Platteville, the 829th Engineer Detachment out of Richland Center, and 
the 1158th Transportation Company with members from Tomah and Black 
River Falls. These units have been activated and are likely to be 
deployed overseas.
  Over 2,200 members of the Wisconsin Air and Army National Guard are 
serving on Active Duty. The people of western Wisconsin are proud of 
their service and the service of all the men and women of our armed 
services during this important time in our Nation's history. Our 
appreciation also goes out to the families of these service members for 
their support and sacrifice during these challenging times.
  The American people and the Congress of the United States stand 
behind our armed service members, and we know they will be successful 
in their mission.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Hunter and 
Congressman Skelton for introducing this important resolution. Now more 
than ever it is time to recognize and commend all our members of our 
armed forces for the excellent job they have done, and will continue to 
do in the war against terrorism.
  As the situation in Iraq continues to develop, it is expected that by 
mid-March more than 250,000 brave American men and women military 
personnel will have been deployed to the Persian Gulf region. We 
currently have troops in all of the Persian Gulf states except for 
Yemen. In addition, tens of thousands of dedicated National Guard 
personnel and reserve employees have been called to active duty. While 
it is not yet known where all of these men and women will be deployed, 
it is known

[[Page H1601]]

that they are a key component in the overall force structure.
  While the recent focus has and will continue to be on Iraq, it is 
important to remember that are U.S. armed forces are serving admirably 
all over the world, and more and more is continually asked of them. 
Members of the armed forces have been serving for the past seventeen 
months in the ongoing operations to root out terrorism, and their 
continued work in Afghanistan, South Korea and other hot spots are just 
part of their service. Whether providing vital counter-narcotics 
assistance, training the militaries of other nations in counter-
terrorism measures or serving the United States at home, our men and 
women have made sacrifices that go beyond the call of normal duty.
  In conclusion, as we move forward in this war against terrorism, let 
us remember those who have served us in the past, those who have lost 
their lives while protecting our nation, and the sacrifices the 
families of military personnel have made. All members of the U.S. Armed 
Services, in my State of Delaware and around the world, must be 
recognized for their outstanding and courageous service in these 
uncertain times. With passage of this resolution today, we express the 
gratitude of our Nation.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution. Not too 
long ago, I returned from Afghanistan, and other Central Asian 
countries, where I met with our troops on the front lines of Operation 
Enduring Freedom.
   Mr. Speaker, Americans can be very proud of the men and women 
serving our country in Central Asia. They are true professionals, doing 
their jobs in very difficult conditions. Troops we met with were in 
good spirits and morale is high. Yes, our soldiers want to come home--
several told me how they miss their wife and kids--but above all they 
want to finish their mission.
  In the coming weeks, U.S. forces may be asked to face combat in the 
Middle East. No one wants war. If military conflict does come, you can 
be sure that we have the very best serving our country. They are the 
latest in a long line of men and women who have served our country with 
distinction, and to whom we owe our freedom.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). Pursuant to the order of the House 
of Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the joint resolution is considered read for 
amendment, and the previous question is ordered.
  The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the joint 
resolution.
  The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third 
time, and was read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the joint 
resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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