[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4998-S5001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Texas.
The majority leader mentioned the 101st Airborne Division in his
remarks. Both he and I feel a special pride in that division because it
sits on the border of Tennessee and Kentucky. The majority leader was
there 10 days ago with the families over a weekend, and I was there
over the past weekend with the Secretary of the Army at a luncheon in
honor of the families there.
I suppose this must be said of every part of our military today, but
no one can go to Fort Campbell without being enormously impressed with
every single military person one meets, especially the family members.
Among those was Holly Petraeus, who is the wife of the commanding
general of the 101st Airborne Division.
We talked about a great many things on Saturday. We talked about the
bravery of the men and women from the 101st and from the Army Special
Forces Divisions who have been in Iraq even longer. We talked about the
number of Tennessee reservists, American reservists, and National Guard
men and women who have been deployed since 9/11.
If I remember correctly, the Secretary of the Army estimated that
nearly two-thirds of all of our reservists and National Guard men and
women have been activated in one form or another since 9/11. We owe
them enormous gratitude.
We talked about one other thing at Fort Campbell last Saturday, and
that was the debt we owe to our allies because we are not in Iraq
alone. We talk about the coalition of the willing. So today, I rise not
just to talk about our brave men and women at Fort Campbell, about whom
I will have more to say later this week, but I want to express our
appreciation for and salute our allies in the military action in Iraq.
Many of our colleagues have noted the leadership of Great Britain and
Prime Minister Blair, and rightfully so. Great Britain has long been a
great ally of this country, and we are deeply grateful for that. But
another ally has contributed significantly to military resources in
this effort, a country we sometimes might overlook. That country is
Australia.
Although their military is not as large as Great Britain, their
contribution is significant and they deserve our thanks. Australia has
long been a friend and ally to the United States. Not only did they
send troops to support us in the 1991 war in the Persian Gulf, they
also joined us in military action in Korea and in Vietnam. Australians
share our values of democracy and a pioneering spirit. Australia also
shares our history of being a former British colony with a strong
independent streak. The British may be our ancestors, but the
Australians are our first cousins.
Today, Australia is standing with us again. In fact, they have
committed more troops to our current efforts in Iraq than they did 12
years ago in 1991. Australia's commitment includes: 14 F-18 jet
fighters, 3 C-130 transport aircraft, three naval vessels, one
transport and two frigates, CH-47 troop-lift helicopters and
accompanying troops, and a Special Forces task group of 500 troops.
In total, Australia has committed about 2,000 army, air force, and
naval personnel--their second largest military deployment since
Vietnam. And they have been very active.
Australia's Special Forces have seen combat in what their commander
describes as ``shoot and scoot'' missions. They have destroyed
installations behind enemy lines and provided important reconnaissance
information.
An Australian diving team has been instrumental in clearing
underwater mines at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, making it possible for
the arrival of humanitarian aid.
Their ships aided in the capture of an Iraqi vessel that was trying
to lay more mines in the Gulf.
And their F-18 fighter aircraft have joined ours in air strikes on
enemy military targets.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard told his Parliament on March
18:
We have supported the Americans position on this issue
because we share their concerns and we share their worries
about the future if Iraq is left unattended to.
Alliances are two-way processes and, when we are in
agreement, we should not leave it to the United States to do
all of the heavy lifting just because they are the world's
superpower.
Now that is a true friend. Australia may not have the largest
military in the world, but that won't stop them from sending what they
can to help our brave men and women fighting in Iraq. They do not want
to leave us to do all the ``heavy lifting.'' And, as I noted earlier,
their help has been real and significant.
Australia, led by Prime Minister Howard, has taken a courageous stand
by supporting us in this war and committing so many of its troops. They
are a true friend and ally of the United States, and I know we are all
grateful for their help and support.
If I may say, in 1987, after I left the Tennessee Governor's office,
my family
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and I moved to Australia. We lived in Sydney for 6 months. We did that
to get to know each other as a family even better, after so many years
in politics. It gave us a chance to know our first cousins in Australia
and to see our country at home in an even different way.
In 1992, when I served in President Bush's Cabinet, the President
asked then-Secretary of Defense Cheney and me to go to Australia to
help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. I
have been reminded many times that our Australian friends remember that
the United States of America stood with them during World War II, and
they stand with us today. That is why on last Saturday, at Fort
Campbell, we were not only talking about the bravery of American men
and women and about our own National Guardsmen and reservists, we were
talking about how much we respect and appreciate the support our
fighting men and women have received from our allies overseas,
especially from the brave men and women in Australia.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senator from
Georgia is recognized.
Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, I rise this morning to share with my
colleagues the story of one of my Georgia constituents. It beings with
a brave young 3rd Infantry soldier named Diego Rincon.
Diego was a native of Colombia and he came to the United States in
1989 with his family when he was 5 years old. He enjoyed a life of
freedom and safety that might never have been possible in Colombia.
Diego was extremely loyal to the country that welcomed him. And after
the September 11 attacks, he decided it was time to repay his adopted
Nation.
Upon graduation from Salem High School in Conyers, GA, Diego enlisted
in the Army. He became a member of the ``Rock of the Marne,'' Fort
Stewart's 3rd Infantry Division.
Sadly, PFC Rincon was killed March 29 in Iraq by a suicide bomber at
a military checkpoint. Diego was 19 years old. Three other members of
his 1st Brigade were also killed.
In late February, Diego wrote his final letter home to his mother
just as his brigade was getting ready to move out. I would like to read
just a couple of paragraphs from that letter:
So I guess the time has finally come for us to see what we
are made of, who will crack when the stress level rises and
who will be calm all the way through it. Only time will tell.
I try not to think of what may happen in the future, but I
can't stand seeing it in my eyes. There's going to be
murders, funerals and tears rolling down everybody's eyes.
But the only thing I can say is, keep my head up and try to
keep the faith and pray for better days. All this will pass.
I believe God has a path for me.
Whether I make it or not, it's all part of the plan. It
can't be changed, only completed.
This 19-year-old young man, was wise beyond his years. Diego joined
the Army for the noblest of reasons. He fought and died in Iraq while
defending our Nation's freedom.
And after his death, when I talked with his family, they asked one
last request of the Government in return for their son's life--to be
able to bury him this Thursday as a U.S. citizen.
I am very pleased and proud to announce today that, with the help of
the INS, PFC Diego Rincon has been awarded U.S. citizenship. Tomorrow,
this brave soldier will be buried in Georgia as a citizen of this great
country.
But there are thousands of noncitizens fighting in our military right
now. So I, along with my fellow Senator from Georgia, Mr. Chambliss,
have introduced legislation calling for citizenship to be granted
immediately to any soldier who fights in our armed services and dies in
combat.
For those among our troops who are not citizens and who die on the
battlefield, I believe the least we can do is to honor them with
posthumous citizenship. I believe it should be done automatically by
the Government, with no delay and no burden on the families.
Under our bill, the families of these brave soldiers would not have
to fill out any forms or make any phone calls. This citizenship would
apply only to the deceased soldier, and it would not make the soldier's
family eligible for any extra benefit or any special treatment. It is
simply a final gesture of thanks and gratitude for the ultimate
sacrifice these immigrant soldiers have made for their adopted country.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair wishes to announce there are 2
minutes 49 seconds remaining on the Republican side and 6 minutes 14
seconds on the Democratic side.
The Chair recognizes the Senator from Michigan.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, we have moved into morning business, is
that correct?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.
Mr. LEVIN. I wonder if there would be any objection to adding 10
minutes to this period of time, given the number of speakers we have on
the floor. I would not want to do that without the leadership knowing
about it. I wonder if somebody could check to see if there would be any
objection to our adding 10 minutes to this particular period.
Mr. President, one of my greatest pleasures and privileges of serving
on the Armed Services Committee has been the close working contact I
have had with the men and women who make up America's Armed Forces.
They truly represent the best our Nation has to offer. Whenever I visit
them, no matter where they are stationed or deployed, I come away proud
and impressed by their courage, their professionalism and their
commitment.
Across the country, Americans have rallied, volunteered, and sent
donations to show their support for our military members serving in
Operation Iraqi Freedom. This generosity of heart has been apparent in
every corner of my home State of Michigan.
Michigan has a long tradition of giving its all in support of young
Americans waging a war overseas. Over 60 years ago, Michigan's
automotive factories were the heart of the ``Arsenal of Democracy'',
which helped to bring an Allied victory in World War II. As President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt said at that time, Americans at home were a
crucial component of the war: ``We must apply ourselves to our task
with the same resolution, the same sense of urgency, the same spirit of
patriotism and sacrifice'' as those serving on the front lines.
And Michiganders have always stepped up to that challenge, giving of
their time, their resources, their energy, and their love in support of
our troops. Since the war in Iraq began, in countless ways,
Michiganders have sought to express their thanks to our service
members.
There are currently over 3,400 Michiganders from National Guard and
Reserve units who have been activated, in addition to many active duty
service members for Michigan serving in support of ongoing military
operations. In February, I traveled to Kuwait, Qatar, and other places
in the region and had the honor of meeting with a group of about 20
Marines from Michigan at Camp Commando. These dedicated, professional
men and women were highly motivated, well prepared, and their morale
was high. They are remarkable representatives of America and the values
we stand for.
To show our gratitude for their work, thousands have rallied across
Michigan in support of the troops. At the Capitol in Lansing, at
Centennial Park in Holland, at Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids, at
Veterans Memorial Park in Ann Arbor, and St. Mary's Park in Monroe--
among many other locales--groups have gathered to voice support for the
troops and wish them a quick, safe return home.
In Jackson, people lined the streets for a parade to send off members
of a local Army Reserve unit mobilized to active duty. A parade was
held in Houghton, where uniformed men and women displayed their colors
for the troops, and a similar event in support of the service members
is planned in Cheboygan. Bowen Holliday Post 35 of the American Legion
in Traverse City is giving out Blue Star Service Banners to military
families as a visual reminder of sons and daughters serving the
country.
And Rudyard, Michigan--a town of 1,315 in the Upper Peninsula--has
seen more than ten percent of its population mobilized on active
military duty.
Although the Defense Department prohibits sending care packages to
``any servicemember'' due to security concerns and transportation
constraints, Michigan residents have found many ways to provide service
people with a piece of home.
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Girl Scouts in the Upper Peninsula are conducting a campaign called
``Cookies From Home.'' The scouts are collecting donations from U.P.
residents, and the money will be used to buy boxes of Girl Scout
cookies which they will send to the troops. Last year, Girl Scouts in
the Upper Peninsula sent 2,076 boxes of cookies to Bosnia and Saudi
Arabia as part of the campaign.
Students at Ishpeming High School in the U.P. have started a letter
writing campaign to Ishpeming graduates who are now serving in the
military overseas. The Gogebic County Sheriff's Department is
participating in Operation Adopt-A-Family, which is intended to help
people who need assistance as the result of the deployment of a spouse
or parent. Many groups--including the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce--
have ``adopted'' soldiers, sending them correspondence, thoughts and
prayers. Two Jackson, Michigan, men have teamed up to write ``Heroes
Piano,'' a song supporting the troops.
A group of Wayne schoolchildren is showing their support by making a
special video in appreciation of U.S. service members. Similarly, but
on a larger scale, the ABC television station in Detroit is traveling
around town with a camera for a project called ``To Our Troops,'' in
which they provide residents with an opportunity to send a message
directly to the men and women in the battlefield.
Unfortunately, war is a dangerous business and it grieves me to
report that four Michigan service members have made the ultimate
sacrifice in the service of their country in Operation Iraqi Freedom:
Marine Major Kevin G. Nave of Union Lake, Army Sergeant Todd J. Robbins
of Pentwater, Army Sergeant Michael F. Pedersen of Flint, and Private
First Class Brandon Sloan of Fraser. I want to close my remarks this
morning by paying tribute to their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their
families. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families as they cope
with their loss. They should know that a grateful Nation will never
forget their loved one and the sacrifice they have made.
On behalf of all of the people of Michigan, I say thank you to all
the men and women of our armed forces who are carrying out the
dangerous mission of disarming Saddam Hussein and his regime. May God
speed you home.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the Senator from Texas.
First, for the purpose of the information of the Democratic
leadership, there are 17 seconds remaining on the Democratic side.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
junior Senator from Michigan be allowed 5 minutes extra. I am going to
withhold, and then my colleague from North Carolina will follow Senator
Stabenow because there is a very important speech and a timetable for
the Senator from North Carolina. I ask unanimous consent that the
Senator from Michigan be recognized for 5 minutes, after which the
Senator from North Carolina be recognized for 20 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from Michigan is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise to commend my colleague from
Michigan for his comments and rise to support and join him in praising
our men and women in uniform who are putting their futures on hold and
their lives on the line to defend our Nation and protect and advance
freedom around the world.
The military action is going very well. We expect no less from our
men and women in uniform; they are highly prepared and trained and
dedicated.
Already many of these dedicated men and women have made the ultimate
sacrifice.
Across the Nation last week we rejoiced at the dramatic rescue of
Army PFC Jessica Lynch.
Sadly, among the bodies found in or near the hospital where Lynch was
held was the body of Private Brandon Sloan of Fraser, MI--one of
Lynch's comrades in the 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company that was
ambushed by the Iraqis on March 23.
Others from Michigan who have given their lives in Iraq are: Marine
MAJ Kevin Nave of White Lake Township, Army SGT Michael Pedersen of
Flint, MI, and Army SGT Todd Robbins of Pentwater, MI.
And in the continuing operation in Afghanistan, Michigan mourns the
loss of Air Force SrA Jason Plite of Grand Ledge who died in a
helicopter accident as he flew on a mission to rescue two injured
Afghan children.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of these men and the
families of all the other men and women who, as Lincoln said, ``gave
the last measure of full devotion'' for their country.
Our troops who wear the uniform of this Nation with such honor
deserve to know they are held in honor here at home.
My father was in the Navy during World War II and my husband served
in the Air Force during the first Gulf War. Both have told me how
important it was for the morale of all those who served to know they
had the support of their Nation.
Military officials tell me there are things Americans can do right
here at home to let our troops overseas know they are in our thoughts
and prayers--things that will make life a little better for people
right in our hometowns as well.
I commend, as did Senator Levin, all who are reaching out to support
our troops.
Unlike previous conflicts, the Defense Department is asking people
not to send care packages or letters not addressed to specific military
personnel. Since the anthrax attacks of October 2001, these kinds of
mailings just pose too much of a security risk.
However, the military encourages individuals or groups to show their
support for the troops abroad by showing support at home for our
veterans and the families of current National Guard and Reserve
personnel whose loved ones are deployed far away--and then sharing your
efforts with our troops in Iraq.
For instance, my home State of Michigan is home to almost 875,000
veterans of conflicts going all the way back to World War I. Volunteers
are always needed at veteran's hospitals and veteran's homes.
Volunteers are also needed to help family readiness groups that
assist the families of the National Guard and Reserve personnel who
have been deployed far from home.
From my home state of Michigan, the men and women of the 127th Air
National Guard Wing in Selfridge, the 110th Fighter Wing in Battle
Creek and the Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena have been
mobilized and deployed to bases around the world, including Kuwait,
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, South West Asia, and Turkey.
Army National Guard and Reserve units from Owosso, Taylor, Grand
Ledge, Grayling, Sault Ste. Marie, Midland, Pontiac, Three Rivers,
Augusta, Selfridge, and Ypsilanti have been mobilized and are awaiting
their deployment orders.
Many of these men and women leave families and well-paying jobs
behind--creating hardships for themselves and their families just so
they can serve their Nation.
Family readiness volunteers help families of Guard and Reserve units
with everything from arranging for baby sitting and lawn care to
staffing phone trees that keep families informed of the most recent
developments regarding the deployment of their loved ones.
Once you have volunteered, military officials encourage you to go to
a special website called www.operationdearabby.net.
There you can post a note to our troops letting them know what you
and your neighbors are doing here at home to show your support as they
serve abroad.
Military mail officials sort these messages so they can be delivered
to soldiers who would be the most interested.
Mr. President, over the past 2 weeks our men and women in uniform
have put on an amazing display of bravery and toughness. We have all
seen the picture of our troops standing up against not just the enemy--
but pounding sandstorms and blistering heat.
But something about the scene is very familiar--and very American. In
fact, it is a scene as old as our Republic itself, as old as the brutal
winter at Valley Forge in 1777.
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Listen to the words of George Washington when he bid farewell to his
troops when the war was finally over.
Against all odds, including that bitter winter and Valley Forge,
these soldiers had won their freedom and created a new Nation.
It was almost with a sense of awe that Washington said to them:
The unparalleled perseverance of the Armies of the United
States, through almost every possible suffering and
discouragement, was little short of a standing miracle.
The spirit of that first American army lives on in our men and women
in uniform today.
It is still little short of a standing miracle, it still inspires
awe, and it commands us to do whatever we can do here at home to show
our unwavering support.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.
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