[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S321-S325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself and Mr. Cornyn):
S. 2034. To establish 3 memorials to the Space Shuttle Columbia in
the State of Texas; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, today in honor of the memory and
sacrifice of seven astronauts whose lives were tragically cut short one
year ago in the destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia, I bring to
the floor a bill to authorize the construction of several memorials in
communities that were severely effected by the event.
This bill authorizes $5 million to be used in communities along the
Space Shuttle Columbia Recovery Corridor: specifically, Lufkin,
Hemphill, and Nacogdoches, TX. Each of these communities have started
work with NASA to memorialize the disaster and the indomitable spirit
of adventure and courage, the spirit that defies complacency and
accepts challenge, the spirit that each of these astronauts, and each
of these communities showed.
This spirit of adventure turned space travel from dreams to a
reality. It is this spirit of challenge which fueled the courage and
ambition of seven men and women into the sky on January 6, 2003. It is
also this same spirit that drives these communities to permanently
commemorate the high price we sometimes pay for reaching new horizons.
Hemphill, TX, where the nose cone of the Shuttle was found, is also
where the remains of the crew were recovered. The VFW post in Hemphill
fed thousands of volunteers for weeks without so much as a complaint or
a dime. The men and women of Hemphill did not take their task lightly,
but rather with a solemn grace and dignity.
[[Page S322]]
The greatest amount of debris came down in the populated areas of
Nacogdoches, TX. Backyards and streets were littered with debris,
permanently altering the community. The citizens of Nacogdoches pulled
together and focused on the recovery, working day and night with NASA
until the job was complete. A spirit of courage overran the community
of Nacogdoches and their sacrifice should never be forgotten.
The population of Lufkin, TX doubled overnight as the retrieval
effort started. The people of Lufkin opened their doors and hearts to
thousands and made their civic center NASA's Columbia retrival command
center. From combing the streets and fields for debris to making home
cooked meals for the recovery workers, the people of Lufkin mustered
around the Columbia tragedy.
In recent years, America has borne too much tragedy and experienced
too much grief, but our collective loss still sears our souls and the
pain is never easy to bear. Today, just one year after they vanished
into the deep blue skies of Texas, we pause to remember and honor Rick
Husband, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, Ilan Roman, William McCool,
David Brown, and Michael Anderson.
And though the families' losses cannot be diminished, their pain and
grief is shared around the world and our prayers are with them. This
bill will memorialize their sacrifice and will honor the courageous
spirit of the communities effected. Their sacrifices will never be
forgotten.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 2034
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Columbia Space Shuttle
Memorials Act of 2004''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Memorial.--The term ``memorial'' means each of the
memorials to the Space Shuttle Columbia established by
section 3(a).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National
Park Service.
SEC. 3. MEMORIALS TO THE SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA.
(a) Establishment.--There are established as units of the
National Park System 3 memorials to the Space Shuttle
Columbia to be located on the 3 parcels of land in the State
described in subsection (b) on which large debris from the
Space Shuttle Columbia was recovered.
(b) Description of Land.--The parcels of land referred to
in subsection (a) are--
(1) the parcel of land owned by the Fredonia Corporation,
located at the southeast corner of the intersection of E.
Hospital Street and N. Fredonia Street, Nacogdoches, Texas;
(2) the parcel of land owned by Temple Inland Inc., located
10 acres of a 61-acre tract bounded by State Highway 83 and
Bayou Bend Road, Hemphill, Texas; and
(3) the parcel of land owned by the city of Lufkin, Texas,
located at City Hall Park, 301 Charlton Street, Lufkin,
Texas.
(c) Administration.--The memorials shall be administered by
the Secretary.
(d) Additional Sites.--The Secretary may recommend to
Congress additional sites in the State of Texas related to
the Space Shuttle Columbia for establishment as memorials to
the Space Shuttle Columbia.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
Act $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, to remain available
until expended.
______
By Mr. GRAHAM of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr.
Leahy, Mr. DeWine, Mrs. Clinton, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Allen, Mr.
Smith, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Reid, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Pryor, Mr.
Kerry, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Lieberman,
Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Johnson,
Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Mikulski, and Mr.
Nelson of Nebraska):
S. 2035. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to revise the
age and service requirements for eligibility to receive retired pay for
non-regular service; to expand certain authorities to provide health
care benefits for Reserves and their families, and for other purposes;
to the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues in
cosponsoring the National Guard and Reserves Reform Act for the 21st
Century.
I am proud of Oregon's citizen-soldiers, and I firmly believe we need
the Guard and Reserves more today than we have in decades. Forces of
the United States National Guard and Reserves make essential and
effective contributions to Operation Iraqi Freedom and other ongoing
military operations. Oregon units have been on the vanguard of these
operations.
While our dependence on the reserves has increased, their basic pay
and benefits structure remained largely unchanged until last year.
Through a strong bipartisan effort Congress passed a bill to extend
TRICARE benefits to National Guard and Reservists. We need to assure
our military that as we continue to support their readiness
capabilities, we remember the personal well-being of Oregonians in
uniform as well as that of their families.
This bill will improve the medical readiness of our Reserve and Guard
forces, increase recruiting and retention, and offer faster and less
cumbersome mobilizations. Healthier citizen-soldiers make our military
more effective. As we continue the war on terror, we need a healthy and
motivated fighting force. This legislation will work toward that end.
The Guard and Reserves in my State have selflessly responded to the
call of our country, and we cannot forget that part-time soldiers have
full-time health needs. In order to ensure our citizen-soldiers are
healthy when they are needed, I urge my Congressional colleagues to
pass this bill to continue health care coverage to our Reservists and
Guardsmen.
______
By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
S. 2036. A bill for the relief of Jose Buendia Balderas, Alicia
Aranda De Buendia, and Ana Laura Buendia Aranda; to the Committee on
the Judiciary.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to offer legislation to
provide lawful permanent residence status to Jose Buendia Balderas,
Alicia Aranda De Buendia and Ana Laura Buendia Aranda, Mexican
nationals who live in the Fresno area of California.
I have decided to introduce legislation on their behalf because I
believe this family is deserving of an exception.
Firstly, an immigration judge has granted the family relief, only to
have that decision overturned by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Immigration Judge Polly A. Webber heard that Jose Buendia and his wife,
Alicia Aranda de Buendia, should be granted cancellations of removal
under the Immigration and Nationality Act. In her decision, Immigration
Judge Webber stated that she felt that the Buendias 9-year-old son
would face exceptional and extremely unusual hardship if the family was
deported from the United States.
The immigration judge's decision was based on testimony taken from
Jose and Alicia Buendia, as well as Alicia Buendia's sister, who is a
lawful permanent resident. The immigration judge found that if the
Buendia's son ``wanted to go to school in Mexico past sixth grade, he
would have major obstacles in being able to do so, which the Court can
only take as extreme hardship in terms of 2-hour transportation that
may or may not be available, separation from parents, perhaps having to
live in a strange environment with strange people, moving away from his
relatives in the United States . . . being subjected to substandard
health care, economic instability, and poor living conditions.''
Unfortunately, the Board of Immigration Appeals overturned the
immigration judge's decision. In a one paragraph decision the Board of
Immigration Appeals concluded ``that the respondent failed to establish
the required hardship to his United States citizen son, who was age 9
at the time of the hearing.'' That one sentence was the basis for
overturning an immigration judge's decision.
Secondly, Mr. Buendia attempted to legalize his immigration status
but was not successful due to an unscrupulous lawyer and a
misinterpretation by the Immigration and Naturalization Service
concerning applicants eligibility to apply for legalization under the
19876 amnesty law.
[[Page S323]]
Because Mr. Buendia has been in this country for so long, he
qualified for legalization pursuant to the Immigration and Reform
Control Act of 1986. Unfortunately his legalization application was
never acted upon.
One reason it was not acted upon is because his attorney, Jose Velez,
was convicted of fraudulently submitting legalization and Special
Agricultural Worker applications. Because of the criminal conviction,
all of Mr. Velez's applications were suspect. Although Mr Buendia's
application under the legalization program was found not to contain any
fraudulent documentation associated, here began his problems.
Mr. Buendia's legalization application was flagged under Operation
Desert Deception, a large-scale investigation which targeted providers
of fraudulent applicants and documentation under the legalization and
Special Agricultural Workers program. Dozens of people, including INS
officers, were convicted of legalization fraud, bribery or tax evasion.
At the time of filing Mr. Buendia's application with the Immigration
and Naturalization Service the attorney, Jose Velez, was under
investigation.
Although Mr. Buendia qualified for legalization because he arrived in
the United States prior to January 1, 1982 he was not able to attend
his interview in 1990 due to the investigation into his attorney.
Thirdly, it took the Immigration and Naturalization Service nearly 7
years to make a finding concerning his case. He was originally
scheduled to be interviewed in June of 1990 on his application for
legalization. The official Memo to File by the Immigration and
Naturalization Service determining Mr. Buendia's application contained
no fraudulent information was not posted until January 1997.
Fourthly, in the intervening years another problem arose. An
interpretation by the Immigration and Naturalization Service as to the
application of the law to legalization cases such as Mr. Buendia's.
Because Mr. Buendia departed the United States in 1987 to marry his
wife in Mexico, the Immigration and Naturalization Service stated he
was no longer eligible for legalization when it again reviewed his
application in 1997. This issue was litigated in CSS v. Meese and Mr.
Buendia was a class member in this lawsuit. Unfortunately this lawsuit
provide unhelpful to Mr. Buendia because the end result of the
litigation was a much more limited class of eligible applicants.
Finally, and of substantial importance, this family has been here for
17 years and built a life here. The Buendias own property, are hard
workers, are community minded and have two children in school--one of
whom is a U.S. citizen.
Mr. Buendia is a valued employee of Bone Construction. He has been
employed by this cement company for the past 5 years. He has proven
himself, rising to become a lead foreman. His employer, Timothy Bone,
says Mr. Buendia is a ``reliable, hardworking and conscientious''
employee.
Mr. Buendia has an exemplary work history. From 1981 to 1989 he
worked for Ascension Hernandez as a landscaper in League City, TX.
Thereafter he moved to Las Vegas, NV where he continued to work in
landscaping. In 1990 he and his family settled in Reedly, CA where he
began working in construction. Knowing nothing about construction,
having a background in landscaping, Mr. Buendia was disciplined and
persistent in his training and is now a lead foreman for a cement
construction company. Mr. Buendia is such a hard worker that he even
has his own cement company, which he works on weekends.
Alicia Buendia, Jose Buendia's wife, works as a seasonal fruit
packer. Cliff Peters, the owner of Wildwood Orchards where Alicia
Buendia worked during the 2003 season, says she is ``a hard worker,
dependable, and consistently did a good job.'' He added that work would
be available to her on an ongoing seasonal basis. Mrs. Buendia has
worked as a seasonal fruit packer for several years.
Their daughter, Ana Laura, is in the 10th grade at Reedley High
School where she has earned a 4.0 GPA which shows she is a highly
motivated student. An important consideration in this case is that Ana
Laura was brought to the United States by her parents when she was only
2 years old. Ana Laura, who will be 16 years old this year, has known
no other country than the United States. She believes she is an
American. But now she is told she must return to Mexico, a country she
has never lived in.
The Buendia's son, Jose, who was born in the United States, is in 8th
grade. Like his sister, this is the only country he knows.
Ana Laura and Jose's elementary school principal speaks highly of not
only the children but the Buendias. This even though the children are
now in high school. Mary Ann Carousso, principal, says in an e-mail to
my office, ``I can tell you that I have rarely met 2 more active,
concerned, supportive parents than Alica [sic] and Jose Buendia! . . .
I don't think they ever missed a parent club meeting.'' Principal
Carousso also says that ``Both Jose and Alicia continued to help at our
school for several years after their youngest child had graduated . . .
Jose, Sr. frequently hauled chairs across a dark parking lot at 9:00
p.m. at night following a parent club meeting . . . He often talked
about what parents should be doing to help the school out so that
excess money didn't have to be spent on simple construction projects.
Alicia is a mom who just never says no to requests for help.'' With
that type of endorsement it seems to me we should be thankful to have
such involved parents in our communities.
This family has embraced the American dream, and I believe they
should be allowed to continue to live in this country. If this
legislation is approved, the Buendias will be able to continue to make
significant contributions to their community and the United States. It
is my hope that Congress passes this private legislation.
I ask unanimous consent numerous letters of support our office has
received from members of the Reedley community be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, material was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
Bone Construction, Inc.,
Fresno, CA, December 16, 2003.
Senator Dianne Feinstein,
U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Thank you for responding to Jose and Alicia Buenda's tragic
story. Simply, in my judgment the Immigration and
Naturalization Service has run amok in regards to Jose's
persistent effort to properly be granted citizenship. And,
consequently, he and Alicia are being treated outrageously
unjust and ordered to be deported from Bakersfield on
December 31, 2003 for no legitimate reason, leaving behind
their two children without parental guidance and financial
support. Personally, I am embarrassed by ``the system's''
total disregard for the Buenda family and failure to
recognize their ``rights'' and exemplary citizenship. The
Buenda's story is a tragedy and someone should be held
responsible.
Jose has been employed with Bone Construction Inc., for the
past four years. He is a gentleman and model employee who has
earned the position of lead foreman. He and his family enjoy
our benefit package of health insurance and a retirement
plan. He possesses a valid social security number, work visa
and driver's license. And he has requested the appropriate
withholding taxes. Simply, he is self directed and a leader
in our organization with a very promising future.
Your response is urgently being anticipated. Jose has
turned to me for counsel. He is obviously terrified by the
order of deportation and does not know what to do in regards
to compliance. For sure, he does not want to be a fugitive.
We are working feverishly to find a compassionate ear and
immediate assistance. We are praying for a Christmas miracle.
Respectfully,
Timothy F. Bone.
____
Wildwood Orchards,
January 9, 2004.
Re Alicia A. Buendia.
To Whom It May Concern: Alicia Buendia worked in the
Wildwood Orchards packing shed during the 2003 season. She
earned approximately $10.00 per hour packing fresh fruit on a
piecework basis.
She was a hard worker, dependable, and consistently did a
good job. Work would be available to her on an ongoing
seasonal basis.
Sincerely,
Cliff Peters,
Owner.
____
From: Mary Ann Carousso <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2004
Subject: Jose & Alicia Buendia
Good morning, Shelly.
First, here is the information you wanted on the children.
(1) Ana ``Laura'' Buendia, Grade 10, Reedley High School
(John Campbell, principal).
[[Page S324]]
Biology with Tony Rocella
Drama 2 with Erin Bray
French 2 with Gail Hutchinson
PE with Pablo Saenz
Tutorial with Pablo Saenz
Video Prod. with Noe Camacho
English with Jennifer Moore
Geometry with James Rudometkin
Jose ``Alex'' Buendia, Grade 8, Grant Middle School, (Bill
Wachtel, principal).
Homeroom with Lynn Mann
Science with Eric Thiessen
Algebra with Lee Bull
Reading/Writing with Jean Crawford
PE with Rick Furlong
Computer with Kristie Bartlett
Academic Skills with Monica Benner
Secondly, I promised to give you some notes on the
conversation we had last night. Both Laura and Alex attended
elementary school here at Jefferson School, where I am the
principal. I can tell you that I have rarely met 2 more
active, concerned, supportive parents than Alicia and Jose
Buendia! As a new principal, I appreciated the eagerness that
Jose and Alicia demonstrated in stepping up to any matter of
parental involvement! Neither of them let the language
barrier stand in the way of their VERY ACTIVE involvement at
our school. I don't think they ever missed a parent club
meeting. Alicia was at school several days a week
volunteering for whatever project I needed help on. She
attended district level meetings as our parent representative
for several years. Both Jose and Alicia continued to help at
our school for several years after their youngest child had
graduated. (I used to tease them about having more children
so I could keep them at Jefferson forever!) Jose, Sr.
frequently hauled chairs across a dark parking lot at 9:00
p.m. at night following a parent club meeting that had to be
held at our neighboring school. He often talked about what
parents should be doing to help the school out so that excess
money didn't have to be spent on simple construction
projects. Alicia is a mom who just never says no to requests
for her help. Both Ana (Laura) and Jose, Jr. (Alex) were good
students at Jefferson, whose teachers were always delighted
to see their names on their rosters at the beginning of the
year. I can't help but feel that, if anything, these 2
extraordinary parents are being punished for simply being too
honest. I want VERY MUCH to help them. I have appreciated
TREMENDOUSLY the work of Senator Feinstein's office in
assisting these great folks. My letter of support is included
in the Buendia packet. Please let me know how I can rally
support for these amazing people. I owe them that at the very
least, for their extraordinary friendship to Jefferson
Elementary School.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Carousso.
____
S. 2036
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR JOSE BUENDIA
BALDERAS, ALICIA ARANDA DE BUENDIA, AND ANA
LAURA BUENDIA ARANDA.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of
section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Jose
Buendia Balderas, Alicia Aranda De Buendia, and Ana Laura
Buendia Aranda shall each be eligible for issuance of an
immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an
alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence upon filing
an application for issuance of an immigrant visa under
section 204 of that Act or for adjustment of status to lawful
permanent resident.
(b) Adjustment of Status.--If Jose Buendia Balderas, Alicia
Aranda De Buendia, and Ana Laura Buendia Aranda enter the
United States before the filing deadline specified in
subsection (c), Jose Buendia Balderas, Alicia Aranda De
Buendia, and Ana Laura Buendia Aranda shall be considered to
have entered and remained lawfully and shall be eligible for
adjustment of status under section 245 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act as of the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Deadline for Application and Payment of Fees.--
Subsections (a) and (b) shall apply only if the application
for issuance of an immigrant visa or the application for
adjustment of status is filed with appropriate fees within 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(d) Reduction of Immigrant Visa Numbers.--Upon the granting
of an immigrant visa or permanent residence to Jose Buendia
Balderas, Alicia Aranda De Buendia, and Ana Laura Buendia
Aranda, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper
officer to reduce by 3, during the current or next following
fiscal year, the total number of immigrant visas that are
made available to natives of the country of birth of Jose
Buendia Balderas, Alicia Aranda De Buendia, and Ana Laura
Buendia Aranda under section 203(a) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act or, if applicable, the total number of
immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the
country of birth of Jose Buendia Balderas, Alicia Aranda De
Buendia, and Ana Laura Buendia Aranda under section 202(e) of
that Act.
______
By Mr. VOINOVICH (for himself and Mr. DeWine):
S. 2037. A bill to transfer administrative jurisdiction of a parcel
of real property comprising a portion of the Defense Supply Center in
Columbus, Ohio, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed
Services.
Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text
of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 2037
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION, DEFENSE
SUPPLY CENTER, COLUMBUS, OHIO.
(a) Transfer Required.--As soon as practicable after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army
shall transfer, without reimbursement, to the administrative
jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a parcel of
real property consisting of approximately 20 acres and
comprising a portion of the Defense Supply Center in
Columbus, Ohio.
(b) Use of the Real Property.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall use the real property as the site for the
construction of a new outpatient clinic for the provision of
medical services to veterans.
(c) Environmental Assessment of Real Property.--
(1) Assessment.--Prior to the transfer of the real property
under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Army shall conduct
an environmental assessment of such property to document all
reasonably ascertainable information that exists on the
environmental condition of such property.
(2) Costs.--Any costs incurred in conducting the assessment
under paragraph (1), including any costs associated with any
actions undertaken to bring such property into compliance
with any Federal, State, or local environmental laws or
regulations, shall be borne by the Secretary of the Army.
(d) Description of Real Property.--
(1) Survey required.--The exact acreage and legal
description of the real property to be transferred under
subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory
to the Secretary of the Army.
(2) Cost.--The cost of the survey carried out under
paragraph (1) shall be borne by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
______
By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Smith):
S. 2039. A bill to waive time limitations specified by law in order
to allow the Medal of Honor to be awarded posthumously to Rex T. Barber
of Terrebonne, Oregon, for acts of valor during World War II in
attacking and shooting down the enemy aircraft transporting Japanese
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto; to the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by Senator Smith
in introducing a bill to waive all statutory time limitations so that
Colonel Rex T. Barber, of Terrebonne, OR may be posthumously awarded a
Medal of Honor.
Colonel Rex T. Barber was a World War II fighter pilot who risked his
life to shoot down Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Commander in Chief of
the Combined Japanese Fleet and architect of the attack on Pearl
Harbor.
Our bill not only waives the statutory time limitations applying to
the Medal of Honor, but also requests that the President posthumously
award the medal to this deserving man.
On April 18, 1943, Barber, then a first lieutenant in the 399th
Fighter Squadron of the South Pacific Air Forces, Army Air Corps,
undertook a top secret mission to shoot down Yamamoto. Barber
successfully attacked a bomber transporting Yamamoto despite heavy
counterattacks by Japanese fighters escorting the admiral. Upon return
to base, Barber found more than 100 holes in his aircraft. Admiral
Yamamoto's plane crashed in flames, killing Yamamoto and his crew.
This brave exploit of Colonel Barber is well-documented, and I look
forward to working with my colleagues in the Oregon delegation, the
Congress, and ultimately the President, to see that his bravery is
formally recognized.
I ask unanimous consent that the text to the bill be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 2039
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY FOR AWARD OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR TO REX
T. BARBER FOR VALOR DURING WORLD WAR II.
(a) Waiver of Time Limitations.--Notwithstanding the time
limitations in section 3744 of title 10, United States Code,
or any other time limitation applicable with respect to the
awarding of certain medals to
[[Page S325]]
persons who served in the Air Force, the President is
authorized and requested to award the Medal of Honor
posthumously under section 3741 of that title to Colonel
(retired) Rex T. Barber, United States Air Force, of
Terrebonne, Oregon, for the acts of valor referred to in
subsection (b).
(b) Action Described.--The acts of valor referred to in
subsection (a) are the conspicuous acts of gallantry and
intrepidity of Rex T. Barber at the risk of his life and
beyond the call of duty on April 18, 1943, while serving as a
first lieutenant in the 339th Fighter Squadron of the South
Pacific Air Forces, Army Air Corps, in successfully attacking
and shooting down the enemy bomber aircraft transporting
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Commander in Chief of the
Combined Japanese Fleet and architect of Japan's attack on
Pearl Harbor.
____________________