[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6324-S6336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DEDICATION OF THE WORLD WAR II VETERANS MEMORIAL

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 369, which was 
submitted earlier today by myself and Senator Daschle.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 369) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate in honoring the service of the men and women who 
     served in the Armed Forces of the United States during World 
     War II.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the matter be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 369) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 369

       Whereas during the dark days of World War II, the United 
     States, the world, and the very future of freedom were 
     threatened by nazism, fascism, and tyranny;
       Whereas a generation of Americans stepped forward to 
     confront this scourge, accepting the call to duty to fight 
     the Axis Powers, to defend freedom, and to put their lives on 
     the line so that future generations could live in peace and 
     freedom;
       Whereas during World War II, the brave men and women of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States fought alongside allies 
     from more than 30 other nations to vanquish the tyranny and 
     oppression of the Axis Powers on the sea, on the land, and in 
     the air in distant lands in every part of the globe;
       Whereas more than 16,000,000 Americans served in the Armed 
     Forces of the United States during World War II, hailing from 
     every corner of the United States and its territories;
       Whereas more than 671,000 Americans were wounded and over 
     105,000 Americans were held as prisoners of war in that 
     terrible conflict;
       Whereas more than 400,000 members of the Armed Forces of 
     the United States made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their 
     lives to defeat the evils of nazism, fascism, and tyranny, 
     and to preserve the United States and the ideals the people 
     of the United States hold true;
       Whereas by the end of World War II, the members of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States had become symbols of hope 
     for the victors, the liberated peoples of the world, and 
     their former adversaries;
       Whereas the victory of the Allied Powers in World War II 
     paved the way for the growth of democracy and freedom in the 
     defeated nations of Germany and Japan, and laid the 
     foundation for the West to confront, and eventually defeat, 
     the threat of Communism;
       Whereas the people of the United States can never fully 
     express their gratitude to all the members of the Armed 
     Services, including the ``Greatest Generation'' of World War 
     II, who have dedicated themselves to protecting the people of 
     the United States and to defending the ideals and principles 
     of our great country;
       Whereas 114 veterans of World War II have served in the 
     Senate, including 6 who are currently serving: Senator Akaka 
     of Hawaii, Senator Hollings of South Carolina, Senator Inouye 
     of Hawaii, Senator Lautenberg of New Jersey, Senator Stevens 
     of Alaska, and Senator Warner of Virginia; and
       Whereas the Senate, on the occasion of the dedication of 
     the World War II Memorial and the 60th Anniversary of the D-
     day landings in Normandy, France, is proud to honor its 
     Members, past and present, who served in World War II: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses its eternal appreciation for the veterans of 
     the Armed Forces of the United States who fought and toiled 
     to protect the United States and preserve the freedom and way 
     of life of the United States during World War II;
       (2) honors the brave men and women who made the ultimate 
     sacrifice and gave their lives in defense of liberty and the 
     United States during that global conflict; and
       (3) proudly commends the 108 former Members and 6 current 
     Members of the Senate who are veterans of World War II, 
     including Senator Akaka, Senator Hollings, Senator Inouye, 
     Senator Lautenberg, Senator Stevens, and Senator Warner, for 
     their leadership and service to the United States both in war 
     and in peace.

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following my 
remarks and Senator Daschle's remarks, Senator Stevens be recognized.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the ``greatest 
generation''--the veterans of World War II who fought so valiantly to 
save the world from tyranny. This weekend, thousands of veterans from 
World War II gathered on The Mall to witness the dedication of a 
memorial to their heroism and to their sacrifice. Many of us had also 
the opportunity to join them after the celebration, the recognition 
ceremonies, with our families on that Mall in tribute to them at this 
wonderful memorial.
  As President Bush said in his remarks to this remarkable group, 
``When it mattered most, an entire generation of Americans showed the 
finest qualities of our Nation and of our humanity.''
  It is fitting that Saturday's event was the largest gathering of 
surviving veterans in 60 years, and perhaps more than coincidental that 
the spring weather cooperated so beautifully for this truly historic 
day.
  Nearly 60 years have passed since the ``greatest generation'' won 
that terrible war. It seems inevitable now that America would defeat 
the forces of Naziism and fascism. Our enemies were wicked and freedom 
was right. But as President Reagan put it so eloquently in his address 
on the 40th anniversary of D-Day:

       For four long years, much of Europe had been under a 
     terrible shadow. Free nations had fallen, Jews cried out in 
     the camps, millions cried out for liberation. Europe was 
     enslaved and the world prayed for its rescue. Here, in 
     Normandy, the rescue began. Here the Allies stood and fought 
     against tyranny in a giant undertaking unparalleled in human 
     history.

  Those were the words of President Reagan. Sixteen million Americans 
served in the Armed Forces during that great battle. They hailed from 
every corner of the United States, from the countryside to city 
streets, from high school graduation classes to suburban family homes.
  Mr. President, 671,000 Americans were wounded and over 105,000 
Americans were held as prisoners of war. More than 400,000 gave their 
lives to defend America and to preserve our freedom.
  The Senate is honored to have among us men who fought in that Great 
War:
  Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who served in the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, including service on Saipan and Tinian;
  Senator Fritz Hollings of South Carolina, who served in the U.S. Army 
as an officer in the North African and European campaigns, receiving 
the Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons;
  Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, whose battlefield heroism earned him 
the highest award for military valor, the Medal of Honor, along with a 
Bronze Star, Purple Heart with a cluster, and 12 other medals and 
citations;
  Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, who enlisted in the Army 
Signal Corps and served in Europe;
  Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, who was a pilot in the China-Burma-
India theater, for which he earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 
two Air Medals, and the Yuan Hai Medal awarded by the Republic of 
China;

  Senator John Warner, who enlisted in the Navy in World War II and 
went on to fight in the Korean war in the Marine Corps. Senator Warner 
served as a Marine Corps reservist for 10 years and was promoted to the 
rank of captain.
  As newsman and author Tom Brokaw wrote in his best selling book, 
``The Greatest Generation,''

       They answered the call to save the world from the two most 
     powerful and ruthless military machines ever assembled, 
     instruments of conquest in the hands of fascist maniacs. They 
     faced great odds and a late start, but they did not protest. 
     They succeeded on every front. They won the war; they saved 
     the world.

  A veteran at Saturday's dedication on The Mall was asked by a 
reporter

[[Page S6325]]

how they did it. How did ordinary young men set aside their fear in the 
face of extraordinary odds against fierce and determined enemies? The 
veteran had been a machine gunner on a pair of bombers that 
successfully outmaneuvered 12 Japanese fighter planes. He replied 
simply:

       There's nothing else you can do but do your best, and keep 
     firing until the ammunition runs out.

  This afternoon, we salute these extraordinary Americans who did their 
best and kept firing to save America. If they are the ``greatest 
generation,'' we are the ``grateful generation.'' Their honor, courage, 
and valor will never be forgotten.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader is recognized.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, this last weekend, in the shadow of the 
Lincoln Memorial, our Nation dedicated a new memorial to the generation 
of Americans who fought and won the Second World War. One cannot help 
but imagine the look of respect and approval coming over the face of 
the great emancipator, the man who ended slavery in our country, as he 
looks upon a memorial to those who ended enslavement of an entire 
continent and gave the world a new birth of freedom.
  While this honor is long overdue, we must acknowledge that no 
memorial, no ceremony, no words could match the scope of this 
generation's achievement. The true monument to their efforts exists not 
on the National Mall but in the hearts of the hundreds of millions in 
America and billions more throughout the world who live in freedom 
thanks to their courage. We are the children of their sacrifice. We 
have flourished in the Nation they came home to build. The debt we owe 
them is without end.
  The Senate family is blessed, as the majority leader noted, to serve 
alongside six men who fought for their Nation in World War II:
  Senator John Warner enlisted in the Navy as a 17-year-old in 1945 and 
later reenlisted in the Marines in the Korean war; Senator Frank 
Lautenberg, who served so ably as an Army Signal Corps soldier in 
Europe; Senator Daniel Akaka, who served in the Army Corps of 
Engineers; Senator Fritz Hollings, who served as an Army officer in the 
North African and European campaigns, earning a Bronze Star; Senator 
Ted Stevens, who served in the Air Force, earned two Distinguished 
Flying Crosses and two Air Medals as a member of the Flying Tigers; 
Senator Daniel Inouye, who saw the smoke rising from Pearl Harbor as a 
17-year-old growing up in Honolulu, and served in the Army's 442nd 
Regimental Combat Team, earning, among so many other high honors, the 
Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award our Nation confers for 
valor in battle.
  Whatever debt these men owe their country, their service in a time of 
war was paid in full. As so many of their generation, their service 
didn't end when they took off their uniforms. They saw this Nation and 
indeed humanity at its very best. They saw an effort in which every 
last person pitched in, every aircraft maker who made a fighter plane, 
every woman who worked in a factory, every farmer who grew food for our 
troops, every child who tended a victory garden. They saw with their 
own eyes the greatness that could be won when a nation of free men and 
free women worked together to fight for the cause of liberty.
  They dedicated their lives to carrying forward that spirit and 
leading our Nation to still greater heights. That spirit runs 
throughout the careers of each of these six men, as it has for so many 
other World War II veterans who have served in this Chamber over the 
years. Each of us who have had the honor to serve with them can attest 
that they are distinguished not only by their service in war but by 
their tireless commitment to ensuring that each successive generation 
of Americans could enjoy the blessings our free Nation had to offer.
  Thanks to their wisdom and leadership, generations of Americans have 
grown up in peace and prosperity and have learned that in return for 
their blessings, they too have a duty to give something back to their 
country. Nowhere is that more clear than in the service of young 
Americans fighting now in Iraq, whose courage echoes that of the men 
and women who wore the uniform of their country in generations past.
  Ultimately, what we learn from their lifetime of service is the fight 
for freedom is never finished. If we are to repay their debt to us, we 
must receive the liberty they won not as a gift but as a challenge to 
take up their work as our own. We could do our country no greater 
service than to assume the spirit of unity and decency each has 
exemplified throughout their long careers. It is a great comfort and 
joy to know that should we falter or fall short, our friends are still 
beside us, living monuments to remind us of our duty. Their 
contributions to America continue undiminished, and they have the 
undying thanks of the Senate and the Nation it serves.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The President pro tempore.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I am humbled to be among the Members who 
have been mentioned by the leaders. I ask unanimous consent that 
following my remarks, items 1, 2, and 3 be printed in the Record. Item 
1 is a list of Senators known to have served in World War II. The 
second item is a list of the eight Senators who have received the 
Congressional Medal of Honor. On that list is the name of Danny Inouye, 
who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I will read once 
again to the Senate the citations my friend received.

       Citation from the President of the United States, 
     authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in 
     the name of the Congress the Medal of Honor to: Second 
     Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye, United States Army, for 
     conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life 
     above and beyond the call of duty:
       Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by 
     extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the 
     vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended 
     ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant 
     Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of 
     automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping 
     movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and 
     mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the 
     hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the 
     enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine 
     guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second 
     Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope within 
     five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two 
     grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could 
     retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun 
     nest. Although wounded by a sniper's bullet, he continued to 
     engage other hostile positions at a close range until an 
     exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite intense 
     pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his 
     platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were 
     again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 
     enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his 
     gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable 
     leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to 
     advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental 
     in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye's 
     extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping 
     with the highest traditions of the military service and 
     reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States 
     Army.

  I ask unanimous consent that the third item being his citation of the 
Medal of Honor be printed in the Record after my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibits 1, 2 and 3.)
  Mr. STEVENS. There are few among us who deserve the honor the Senate 
is according us, and Daniel K. Inouye is the first.

                               Exhibit 1

               [From the Senate Historical Office, 2004]

      United States Senators Known To Have Served in World War II

       Abdnor, James (army); Akaka, Daniel (army); Allott, Gordon 
     (army air corps); Andrews, Mark (army); Bartlett, Dewey 
     (marines); Bass, Ross (air corps); Bentsen, Lloyd (army); 
     Boggs, James C. (army); Brewster, Ralph Owen (marines); 
     Brewster, Daniel (marines); Brooke, Edward (army); Brown, 
     Ernest S. (army); Bumpers, Dale (marines); Byrd, Harry F., 
     Jr. (navy); Cain, Harry P. (army); Cannon, Howard (army); 
     Carroll, John A. (army); Chafee, John H. (marines); Church, 
     Frank F. (army); and Clark, Joseph S. (army air corps).
       Cook, Marlow (navy); Cooper, John Sherman (army); Cranston, 
     Alan (army); Daniel, Marion Price (army); Dole, Robert 
     (army); Dominick, Peter H. (army air corps); Douglas, Paul H. 
     (marines); Edmondson, James (army); Evans, Daniel (navy); 
     Exon, James (army signal corps); Fong, Hiram (army air 
     corps); Ford, Wendell (army); Frear, J. Allen (army); Gibson, 
     Ernest (army); Glenn, John (marines); Goldwater, Barry (army 
     air

[[Page S6326]]

     corps); Goodell, Charles E. (navy); Gore, Albert Sr. (army); 
     Gorton, Slade (army); Griffin, Robert P. (army); Gurney, 
     Edward J. (army); and Hart, Philip (army).
       Hart, Thomas C. (navy); Hartke, Rupert Vance (navy/coast 
     guard); Hatfield, Mark (Navy); Heflin, Howell (marines); 
     Helms, Jesse (navy); Hendrickson, Robert C. (army); Hennings, 
     Thomas C. (navy); Hollings, Ernest (army); Huddleston, Walter 
     D. (army); Hughes, Harold (army); Humphrey, Hubert H. (army); 
     Humphreys, Robert (medical corps); Inouye, Daniel (army); 
     Jackson, Henry ``Scoop'' (army); Javits, Jacob (army); 
     Jenner, William E. (army air corps); Johnson, Lyndon B. 
     (navy); Keating, Kenneth (army); Kennedy, John F. (navy); 
     Knowland, William (army); and Kuchel, Thomas H. (navy).
       Laird, William R. (navy); Lautenberg, Frank (army); Laxalt, 
     Paul (army); Lodge, Henry Cabot, Jr. (army); Long, Oren E. 
     (Hawaii defense volunteers); Long, Russell (navy); Magnuson, 
     Warren (navy); Martin, Edward; Mathias, Charles M. (navy); 
     Matsunaga, Spark (army); McCarthy, Joseph (marines); McClure, 
     James (navy); McGovern, George (army air corps); Melcher, 
     John (army); Metcalf, Lee (army); Miller, Jack (army air 
     corps); Morton, Thruston (navy); Moss, Frank (army); 
     Moynihan, Daniel P. (navy); and Muskie, Edmund (navy).
       Nelson, Gaylord (army); Neuberger, Richard L. (army); 
     Nixon, Richard (navy); Payne, Frederick (army air corps); 
     Pearson, James (navy); Pell, Claiborne (coast guard); Percy, 
     Charles (navy); Potter, Charles E. (army); Proxmire, William 
     (military intelligence); Reynolds, Samuel (army); Roth, 
     William V. Jr. (army); Salinger, Pierre (navy); Saxbe, 
     William (national guard); Schweiker, Richard S. (navy); 
     Scott, Hugh D. Jr. (navy); Smathers, George A. (marines); 
     Smith, Benjamin A. (navy); Spencer, George L. (navy); 
     Stafford, Robert (navy); and Stevens, Ted (army air corps).
       Taft, Kingley (army); Taft, Robert Jr. (navy); Tamadge, 
     Herman (navy); Thurmond, Strom (army); Tower, John (navy); 
     Tydings, Joseph D. (army); Warner, John (navy, marines); 
     Welker, Herman (air corps); Wyman, Louis C. (navy); 
     Yarborough, Ralph (army); and Young, Stephen (army).
                                  ____


                               Exhibit 2

                Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients

       There have been only 8 Senators in history who have 
     received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
       Civil War: Matthew S. Quay awarded July 9, 1888; Francis E. 
     Warren awarded September 30, 1893; Marcus A. Hanna awarded 
     November 2, 1895; William J. Sewell awarded March 25, 1896; 
     Henry A. du Pont awarded April 2, 1898; and Adelbert Ames 
     awarded March 29, 1899.
       World War II: Daniel Inouye awarded June 21, 2000.
       Vietnam: J. Robert Kerrey awarded May 14, 1970.

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  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, we have a number of Senators on both sides 
of the aisle who desire to speak. I make a recommendation that we 
rotate back and forth between sides. On this side I ask each Senator to 
try to speak for less than 5 minutes. I yield to each of them up to 5 
minutes.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to 
speak following the remarks of Senator McConnell, and following that, 
Senator Dodd be our next speaker in order.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Republican whip.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, let me say to our colleagues from the 
greatest generation, it is very difficult to imagine how one could 
improve upon the observations already made by the majority leader, the 
Democratic leader, and the President pro tempore. We all stand in 
admiration of their remarkable service.
  America has sort of rediscovered World War II beginning in 1994 with 
Steven Ambrose's great book about D-day, followed up by his marvelous 
book ``Citizen Soldiers,'' which was about the replacements that came 
after D-day, one of whom was my dad.
  I stand here today as a proud son of one of the greatest generation. 
I was unable to make the World War II Memorial opening the other day, 
but I did have an opportunity to watch it on television. At the same 
time, I was going through some old letters from my father to my mother 
from the theater, the most interesting of which was a letter dated at 
the top ``VE Day, May 8, 1945, Pizen, Czechoslovakia.'' As one of the 
foot soldiers in the Second Division, he had fought his way from March, 
April, and May across Germany and met the Russians in Pizen. Now free 
to kind of express himself without fear of the mail being censored, he 
alluded to a pretty tough couple of months of fighting in Germany 
without any specifics, obviously--the members of the greatest 
generation never wanted to talk about the specifics--and made, I 
thought, a rather prophetic observation.
  This was a regular foot soldier in Europe on the day the Germans 
surrendered. He said: I hope we will not draw down the force too much, 
and I am really worried about the Russians.
  He had had a chance to meet the Russians in Pizen when the two forces 
came together.
  So in addition to celebrating the marvelous service of our six 
colleagues from the greatest generation, I thought I would take the 
opportunity to allude to my father who was also one of the 16 million 
Americans who served in uniform during World War II. This generation 
has made an enormous contribution to our country.
  Tom Brokaw argued, and I think he was probably correct, this is 
certainly the greatest generation probably since the generation of the 
Founding Fathers. All six Senators have our admiration and respect. We 
thank them not only for their service overseas but their service in the 
Senate in the ensuing years. They are, indeed, great Americans.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic whip.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I was a little boy when the war ended, but 
where I am from, Searchlight, NV, we look at a person by the name of 
Bill Nellis as the person we recognize as the epitome of the greatest 
generation. Here is a man who was not eligible for the draft. He had a 
family, but he decided to join at age 26 or 27. He went into the Army 
Air Corps, completed 68 missions, was through with his assigned 
missions, and on his 69th mission agreed to volunteer for someone who 
was unable to fly that day, and it was his last mission. He was shot 
down over Belgium, where Bill Nellis still is buried. Of course, Nellis 
Air Force base is named after Bill Nellis of Searchlight, NV.
  As has been said today, we have six patriots who serve in the Senate 
who are examples to each one of us. Senator Danny Akaka has the unique 
distinction of having been at Pearl Harbor and saw the smoke, fire, 
death, and destruction. He was there at the beginning of World War II, 
but he was also stationed on the Island of Tinian when the Enola Gay 
took off to end the war. Danny Akaka watched the Enola Gay take off 
from Tinian, where it really did end the war.

  Senator Hollings is a person who was educated to be in the military. 
He graduated from military school, the Citadel, in his hometown of 
Charleston. In 1942, he immediately became an officer, spent many years 
in North Africa, the European campaigns. In fact, he was awarded seven 
campaign ribbons, meaning that he was involved in seven major battles 
in World War II.
  He came back, of course, and has dedicated his adult life to public 
service, which all of us are very sorry to see is going to end at the 
end of this term. What a great Senator he has been and what a great 
soldier he has been, just like Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka, Senator 
Lautenberg, Senator Stevens, and Senator Warner.
  Senator Inouye is my friend. He is a friend of everyone who serves in 
the Senate and thousands of others. His heroism, displayed in the 
Vosges mountains, in France, is something that is a story to behold. As 
has been related by Senator Stevens, he truly was an American hero and 
is an American hero.
  But again for Senator Inouye, it is not only what he did in battle, 
courageously, it is what he has done his entire life, courageously, in 
the Halls of Congress. He is a role model for me as to how a Senator 
should legislate and act.
  Senator Lautenberg, son of immigrants, represents so well what the 
American military should be. After he graduated from high school in New 
Jersey, he enlisted and served in the Army Signal Corps. He spent most 
of World War II in Europe. When he returned home he had the GI Bill of 
Rights--again, something that had never been around before. He took 
full advantage of that and, after graduating, became one of the finest 
businesspeople America has ever known. He gave up that business career 
to serve in the U.S. Senate, and he has done that so well.
  I have had the good fortune to travel on a congressional delegation 
that was led by Senator Stevens and Senator Glenn. It was a wonderful 
experience for me as a young Senator, to travel to Europe with these 
two fine Senators. I learned in our meetings we held with different 
leaders of nations during that time of their military careers. There is 
no better example of that than when we were in Czechoslovakia and 
Senator Stevens and Senator Glenn saw someone wearing an old World War 
II flight jacket, the same type of flight jackets they wore in World 
War II. That evening we spent a lot of time listening to these two 
American heroes talk about their experiences in World War II. It is 
something I will never forget. It was a wonderful evening I spent with 
these two fine gentlemen.
  Senator Stevens was a pilot, as we have learned, in World War II in 
the China-Burma-India theaters, supporting the Flying Tigers of the 
14th Air Force. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air 
Medals, and the Yuan Hai medal, awarded by the Republic of China.
  Senator Warner is someone who has dedicated his life to public 
service. He started when he was 17 years old. As we have learned, he 
later got out of the Navy, went into the Marines, and became Secretary 
of the Navy. He is a person who fulfilled, as have the other five, a 
rendezvous with destiny. These men kept that rendezvous. When history 
called, all six answered. Every one of them who is now a United States 
Senator displayed courage in the war, and, as I have said, they have 
displayed the same courage in their political careers. Four of these 
Members are Democrats, members of the party I represent. Two are 
members of the Republican Party--on the other side of the aisle, as we 
say. But without any equivocation, each of these men share a deep love 
of our country, and they have put the good of our great Nation above 
partisan politics on so many occasions.
  I am proud to be a U.S. Senator. One reason for being proud is I am 
able to serve with six American patriots.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I, too, rise to pay tribute and honor 
to our World War II colleagues here in the Senate: Senator Inouye, 
Senator Akaka, Senator Warner, Senator Hollings, Senator Lautenberg, 
and, of course, my friend, Senator Stevens. I

[[Page S6329]]

would like to take a few minutes this afternoon to speak my heartfelt 
appreciation to my friend, the senior Senator from the State of Alaska, 
Senator Stevens.
  I know words alone can never accurately reflect the tenacious spirit 
of our friend and decorated World War II veteran. Like so many veterans 
of the war, Senator Stevens downplays his role. He will tell you quite 
simply he did what was expected. Yet it is something that must be told 
time and time again to realize how much this one humble servant has 
done and continues to do, both for the country and for the State of 
Alaska.
  Prior to going into the war, Senator Stevens made a promise to his 
aunt with whom he was living at the time. He made a promise that he was 
not going to enlist until he could do so without her consent. So he 
stayed in college until he was 19, and then he immediately put the 
wheels in motion to enlist. But he didn't pass that first flight 
physical. His eyes apparently were not up to par. I think my colleagues 
in this Chamber who know Senator Stevens, especially those of them who 
might play tennis with him, know that this setback was not something 
that was going to keep Senator Stevens down. He was determined to 
fulfill his commitment. He went out and did eye exercises for a couple 
of months and passed that next flight physical.
  During World War II, Senator Stevens flew C-46s and C-47s in the 
China-Burma-India theater, supporting the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air 
Force. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, 
and the Yuan Hai medal, awarded by the Republic of China, a truly 
honorable and amazing tour of duty.
  But this was not enough action for Senator Stevens. It was on his way 
home from China that he gained an interest, I guess, in politics. 
During the war, he had done his job. He flew every mission that was 
requested of him and volunteered for more. He volunteered to drive the 
Burma Road with a convoy of trucks because they needed officers.
  But afterward, the keen interest in politics, in terms of why the 
United States was involved in the war, kicked in, and Alaska and the 
Nation have benefited ever since. He finished his undergraduate 
education at UCLA, earned his juris doctorate from Harvard, and served 
in a number of Government and elected positions before coming here to 
the U.S. Senate.
  To Senator Stevens, Senators Inouye, Akaka, Warner, Hollings, and 
Lautenberg, I join with my colleagues in thanking you for your 
distinguished service to our country and to this legislative body, not 
only because you helped to protect and defend our freedoms but also 
because you continue to support those who now serve to protect and 
defend our beloved America. You are the living history of the greatest 
generation.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Collins). The Senator from Connecticut.
  Mr. DODD. Madam President, I commend our two distinguished leaders--
majority leader Senator Frist and Democratic leader Senator Daschle--
for their very eloquent remarks which I think capture the spirit of all 
of us as we gather today.
  I want to take a few moments to recognize six of our colleagues for 
their wonderful contribution who were part of this remarkable 
generation which we have talked about so frequently over the last 
number of days, and to thank them immensely for their contribution not 
only during that great conflict but also for their continuing service 
to this country.
  I think all of us witnessed one way or another this past weekend the 
remarkable gathering on the great Mall of our capital city for the 
inauguration and dedication of the national World War II Memorial.
  We are recognizing six of our colleagues today, but having watched 
that event, two individuals I must say I couldn't take my eyes off. One 
was our former majority leader Bob Dole. Without his leadership, the 
new memorial would not have been constructed. He is not with us any 
longer as a part of this body but was for some years and played such an 
important role in seeing to it that this memorial would be built in a 
timely fashion.
  I am stunned to know that about 1,000 of our 6 colleagues' fellow 
veterans who served in World War II are lost every single day. So this 
monument could not be built soon enough.
  The other one I was watching was former President George Bush, a 
remarkable hero of that great conflict in his own right. He has a 
wonderful sense of humility, and rarely discusses his tremendous 
service as a combat pilot. In fact, I find one thing common about these 
6 colleagues of ours, Democrats and Republicans alike. They have a 
wonderful sense of humility. Every time this subject matter comes up, 
all of them show a reluctance to talk about their own individual 
contributions. I admire them for that.
  As for my other heroes, I don't want to make all of them feel very 
old. But my good friend from Hawaii, Dan Inouye, just said ``Happy 
birthday'' to me the other day. He asked, How old are you? I hesitate 
to tell you that I was 6 years old when D-Day occurred. I turned 60 the 
other day. That makes me feel old. But it must make those who were part 
of that great conflict a bit older as we gather here today.
  But it is not an exaggeration to say we would not, in my view, be 
enjoying the freedoms which we do as Americans and as so many other 
people do--all over the world--today if it had not been for the 
remarkable contribution of those who gave so much, particularly the 
400,000 who never came home. Of the 16 million who served, 400,000 gave 
their lives on the battlefields of Europe, Africa and the Pacific 
islands.
  We can never find the adequate words to express our gratitude to them 
and to their families--the wonderful people who made a contribution 
obviously on the home front as well producing the materials necessary 
to successfully prosecute the war.
  In recent times, we have had a number of debates over what 
constitutes a ``just war.'' There is no such debate about World War II. 
World War II was truly a defining moment--not only for our Nation, but 
for the entire world. It was not merely a clash of armies. It was one 
of values. It was a time when those nations of the world that stood for 
freedom, tolerance, equality and opportunity took on, and defeated, the 
forces of tyranny, oppression and genocide. World War II was literally 
a fight for the future of humanity. It is no exaggeration to say that 
had the outcome of World War II been different, the institution in 
which we serve might very well not be in existence today.
  Each and every one of us today owes his or her freedom, in a very 
real way, to the men and women who gave of themselves during the war--
those who served overseas, as well as those who contributed on the 
homefront. I would like to especially recognize the tremendous 
contributions of those from my own State of Connecticut. About 210,000 
men and women from Connecticut served in the Second World War. 
Connecticut's civilians also played an enormous part in the war effort 
by helping supply our troops with planes, firearms, and other weapons 
and technologies that were so vital to our victory.
  I want to be an additional voice here today to say, Thank you. It is 
rather remarkable that in a body of 100 people we have 6 veterans of 
World War II among us. We are very grateful to all of you for your 
wonderful contribution and to have you as wonderful friends--Frank 
Lautenberg, Daniel Akaka, Daniel Inouye, two Senators from the same 
State, a rather remarkable distinction. I think it is special to have 2 
Senators from the same State who are veterans. Fritz Hollings--I know I 
am in violation of Senate rules a bit. But I noticed someone in the 
gallery and wanted to pay tribute to Peatsy Hollings. I know there are 
a lot of spouses and others who went through a lot as well.
  In addition to my great friend from South Carolina and his lovely 
wife, Ted Stevens, who I care so much about and admire immensely; John 
Warner, one of my dearest friends in the world. I thank all of you for 
your wonderful contributions.
  I am very proud to serve with you, and I thank you.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
  Mr. BOND. Madam President, I feel truly honored to be able to join 
with my colleagues in recognizing today six of our own who are part of 
the ``greatest generation'' and who made a tremendous contribution to 
the freedom--

[[Page S6330]]

not just of our country but to the world.
  A lot has been said about Senators Inouye, Akaka, Hollings, 
Lautenberg, Stevens, and Warner. I endorse almost everything said about 
all of them. I consider all of them good friends. I have stories on a 
few of them, but I will not tell the stories if they will not 
reciprocate and tell stories on me.
  But these are, as has just been said, very humble men who did 
absolutely amazing things, who made tremendous contributions, and yet 
they walk among us today with one foot in front of the other. You don't 
know it when you deal with them.
  I have had the privilege in recent times visiting some of the 
battlefields in Europe--the battlefield of Bastogne with Senator 
Hollings. My wife and I have been to Normandy beaches--Utah Beach, 
Omaha Beach, Sainte Mere Eglise--places where absolutely remarkable 
things were done.
  These are tremendous monuments. Unfortunately, I am not going to be 
able to go to D-Day. But I urge my colleagues to visit these locations 
when you have an opportunity and see the living memorials which are set 
up there and the movies that were taken of the events. When you see the 
conflicts they faced and the bravery, you think: Why on Earth would 
somebody ever try to do that? There were literally hundreds--and 
probably thousands--of undertakings that were seemingly impossible 
which the brave soldiers of the U.S. forces undertook on D-Day.
  I join with my colleague from Connecticut, who mentioned two other 
great heroes, the former leader of this body, Bob Dole, and former 
President George Bush, who made tremendous contributions. These people 
deserve our greatest admiration and our thanks, along with all of the 
other veterans, and the families of all of these men deserve special 
thanks.
  I note that I think one Beth Stevens is watching close by, daughter 
of this good Senator from Alaska. I know how proud these young people 
are of their parents.
  I do not know how many of you saw the movie, ``Ike: Countdown to D-
Day.'' It was a fabulous movie, telling about all of the problems and 
the hassles that went into the planning of D-Day. Getting ready to lead 
an invasion of 130,000 troops, 5,000 ships, 11,000 aircraft, you see 
how many things could go wrong, not the least of which was when 
Eisenhower told his Chief of Staff, General Beetle Smith, We are 
surrounded by some of the biggest swelled heads in history, and my job 
is to keep them pulling together.
  We had uncommon leadership from people who were ordinary human 
beings, but we had uncommon valor from so many of the 16 million people 
who served there. We say to all, Our sincerest thanks, our deepest 
respect. We congratulate and thank them. Having watched that D-Day 
movie, I can only say how lucky General Eisenhower was when there was 
not 24-hour television coverage. If you were watching every day the 
kinds of problems and the hassles that General Eisenhower had to 
endure, with the media we now have they would probably call for the 
firing of General Eisenhower and the impeachment of the President 
because lots of things went wrong. But these brave people, these brave 
men persevered, and we owe them our heartfelt thanks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I thank you.
  Akaka, Hollings, Inouye, Lautenberg--veterans of World War II. 
Stevens, U.S. Army Air Corps, a veteran of World War II; Warner, Navy 
veteran of World War II. All unique men, men of decency, men of 
character, plainspoken, humble and generous in spirit, noble in 
purpose.
  Their lives have been about hope. They transformed a world and framed 
the future. This institution and the world have been touched by each 
one. We in the Senate watch them. We key off of them. We have learned 
much from these six distinguished Americans.

  These men are not angels. We are not here to canonize them, but we 
are here to recognize one of the most unique times in the history of 
man. That time was not squandered by unique individuals who understood 
the great purpose and challenge of their time.
  I am connected to this generation, as millions of Americans, not just 
because I had the privilege of serving with them in the Senate, my 
father was a veteran of World War II with the Army Air Corps in the 
South Pacific, the 13th Army Air Corps. He was a radio operator 
tailgunner on a B-25. He spent almost 3 years overseas.
  If he were alive today, I don't know if he would have found a prouder 
moment than what happened in Washington last weekend and what is 
happening in the Senate today as we honor these unique Americans.
  They lifted us up. They continue to lift us up. Yet they never asked 
for anything in return for their service. I congratulate and thank our 
distinguished colleagues.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Madam President, if I may take just a few minutes to 
respond to the comments of our colleagues, to our majority leader, 
Senator Frist, and Tom Daschle, our Democratic leader, and other 
colleagues, including Senator Reid, Senator Bond, and Senator Warner, 
who is kind of a member of this clan of ours--to be with colleagues 
like Senator Stevens, Senator Inouye, Senator Hollings, and Senator 
Akaka, all serving together at the same time, it is hard to believe it 
was as many years ago as it was.
  Senator Hagel, I thank him for his comments, as well, and Senator 
Dodd.
  But it was a long time ago, and those who now are approaching 50 
years of age remember serving when we were just kids. I enlisted in 
1942 when my father was on his death bed with cancer. He was 42 in the 
year 1942. It was a duty that I felt keenly and I enlisted, even as my 
father was on his death bed. My mother was 36 years old.
  I cannot remember any of my contemporaries who did not serve or who 
were not going to serve. There were 16 million in uniform. It was quite 
an assembly of Americans of all cultures and religions. We had one 
mission and that was to protect this world of ours from becoming a 
product of fascism.
  While it was so many years ago, it is wonderful to be able to recall 
we were there. When I look at the actions of Danny Inouye, who among us 
is at the top, given the Congressional Medal of Honor, that is a 
distinction that is given to so few people. As I recall my many 
discussions with Senator Inouye--I hope my memory is accurate--he had 
been hit by fire, even as he got up to lead his platoon further on. 
That is bravery as few have it. He knew his duties had to continue 
because he had the responsibility of others he was in charge of.

  Danny Inouye, as we all know, is modest to the core. He never brags, 
would never talk about his performance. Danny will always stand for 
what is right, but he never is in a position where he brags about his 
incredible service.
  Fritz Hollings, similarly, got his stars, his clusters for his duty 
in so many different combat areas.
  Mine was different. I was not in a combat unit. I, like so many 
others, performed my duties in a different place. Most of what I saw of 
World War II was from the top of a telephone pole. I was a pole 
lineman. My mission was to make sure the connections between those who 
were serving at the front and those who were issuing the orders from 
way back at command headquarters were clearly transmitted. I took my 
responsibilities seriously. Even as we were being bombed by B-1's and 
B-2's--for those who are not old enough to remember, one was a jet bomb 
and another was a rocket bomb. That was like a time bomb because you 
never saw it coming. It went off and did whatever damage it did.
  The first jet airplane I ever saw in the sky was German. They were 
outdistancing our fighter pilots in minutes. They would just pull away. 
They would drop bombs wherever they could. This was my service 
primarily in Belgium.
  When I visited the World War II Memorial--and, unfortunately, I was 
not there at the ceremony; I could not be, as I had longstanding plans, 
and I had to maintain those appointments--I visited with Senator Dole 
and Senator Inouye, Senator Hollings and Senator Warner, and Senator 
Akaka was there,

[[Page S6331]]

as well. Not to be critical, but I did not see anything that indicated 
how many died in different places, what were the regiments that fought 
these battles, what were the divisions, what were those who served on 
the seas doing at the time when the bombs were falling or the torpedoes 
were being sent.
  It took my unit 3 days to cross the channel from England to France 
because they could not get the convoy stabilized enough to carry on.
  I hope they will make some adjustments at the memorial to reflect the 
sacrifices that were made, other than in artistic terms. There is a 
wall of gold stars, each representing 100 deaths. Using quick 
multiplication, you could figure out 400,000 people died in combat or 
combat-related activities. We see New Jersey, we see New York, we see 
Virginia, and the other States; columns of granite, but not one 
indication of how many people came from the then-48 States and 6 
territories. Did 10,000 die from the State of New Jersey? It is just a 
guess.
  It would be important if we knew what happened. The memorial has a 
certain beauty. It is a tranquil beauty, however, and it does not talk 
to the smashing victories we had on D-Day or in the Belgium Bulge.
  I was in Belgium at the time. I was not at the front line. The 
weather was abominable. It was gray and snowy and our troops were 
getting licked badly and we were moving back.
  I was taken down to the railroad station, given ammunition, and they 
said: OK, Lautenberg, you and your unit have to go up there. 
Fortunately, with prayers supporting it, the sun came out and the Air 
Force got up into the sky, and they smashed the German line and moved 
it all back. It was the turning point in that stage of the war, 
December 1944.
  We are all grateful to have survived, to be here, to be able to 
serve, to continue our service in this great body. I say to my 
colleagues, I am grateful to each one of you--each one of you who 
served, each one of you who made a difference in how this world of ours 
turned out, and each one of you who continues to serve. Even though we 
might have different opinions about quite how we do it, the fact is, we 
are here because we want to continue to serve our country. We are lucky 
to be in America.
  I thank all of you, my colleagues, for the work you do.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Madam President, last weekend thousands of Americans 
flocked to our National Mall to pay tribute to the ``greatest 
generation.'' It was the dedication, as we all know, of the World War 
II Memorial.
  It has now been 59 years since the end of the Second World War, and 
at long last our Nation has a place that honors the 16 million who 
served in our Armed Forces, the more than 400,000 who died, and the 
millions who supported the war effort here at home.
  I was touched that those who served at home also were honored because 
that war brought our Nation together as we had never seen before, and 
perhaps since.
  I can think of no more appropriate honor than to recognize their 
commitment, dedication, and sacrifice with a permanent memorial to the 
men and women who fought to secure our freedom and stamp out Nazi 
tyranny.
  Today we are honoring those Members of this esteemed body who fought 
for our freedoms in World War II. Of the 114 Senators who have served 
in the war, I have been privileged to serve with 15 of them. Six are 
here with me today.
  Danny Akaka served in World War II with the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers as a welder-mechanic.
  Ernest Hollings graduated from The Citadel in 1942 and received a 
commission from the U.S. Army. He served as an officer in the North 
African and European campaigns in World War II, receiving the Bronze 
Star and seven campaign ribbons.
  Frank Lautenberg enlisted in the Army straight out of high school and 
served in the Army Signal Corps in Europe during World War II.
  Ted Stevens, during World War II, was a pilot in the China-Burma-
India theater, supporting the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force. He 
received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, and a medal 
awarded from the Republic of China. Today he is chairman of the 
Appropriations Committee and the Defense Appropriations Committee.
  John Warner entered the Navy at age 17, and served on active duty in 
World War II. He went on to serve as a marine in the Korean War, and 
served in the Department of Defense for 5 years during the Vietnam war. 
Later, he served our country as Secretary of the Navy, and now serves 
as the distinguished chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the 
Senate.
  Danny Inouye served in combat with the legendary ``Go for Broke'' 
unit in World War II, achieving the rank of captain and earning the 
Nation's very highest award for military service, the Congressional 
Medal of Honor. He also earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart with 
cluster. He is the ranking member on the Defense Appropriations 
Committee.
  Two of Texas' recent Senators, Lloyd Bentsen and John Tower, were 
both proud Texans and veterans of World War II.
  Three of our Nation's Commanders in Chief, who served in the Senate--
Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon--also fought as part of the 
``greatest generation.''
  For anyone who has read Tom Brokaw's book ``The Greatest 
Generation,'' the stories of those who fought the bitter and brutal 
fight and then returned home to their families and went about their 
lives as if it were no big deal are today still sources of great 
inspiration to all of us because they had the commitment to do what was 
right, to answer the call to duty, to return without a complaint, with 
no second guessing, no protests. That was the mark of the ``greatest 
generation.''

  Some of them went back to the factories and the fields, and back to 
their desks, and they did not even expect praise or admiration. Some 
went into public service. Those we have mentioned today did and are 
doing a wonderful job carrying the mantle of public service. They 
brought with them the scars of war, and they carry the mantle of 
freedom.
  Bob Dole, with whom all of us served as well, what a great leader and 
what a great hero of World War II.
  Strom Thurmond, once chairman of the Armed Services Committee, 
served, at the age of 40, in World War II and had to miss the 50th 
anniversary of D-day because his son was graduating from high school. 
What a legend.
  I am honored to stand here and look around this fabulous room, these 
hallowed halls, and pay tribute to every one of you who gave me the 
right to stand here, and who will be forever in my heart because you 
are continuing to do so much for our country. I want you to know I 
believe without the great leadership you provided, neither my children 
nor I would know the freedom we know today. We do stand on the 
shoulders of giants, and we salute you.
  Madam President, my distinguished colleague, the Senator who is the 
chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said I forgot President 
George Bush, who also was a hero in World War II. That is certainly a 
huge omission, and I apologize, and thank you, I say to the Senator, 
for letting me set the record straight.
  Thank you, Madam President. I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wyoming.
  Mr. ENZI. Madam President, this past week has been a very memorable 
and inspirational and overdue time for all of us to come together as a 
nation and dedicate the World War II Memorial and recognize the efforts 
of our Nation's veterans in one of the fiercest wars in our Nation's 
history.
  As we did, many of us took a moment to remember the events of those 
days and how they affected us and, more importantly, how they affected 
the people in our lives who played an important part in that war 
effort.
  I had a special opportunity to remember my dad, Elmer Enzi, who 
served in the war, and my uncle Edward Curtis and my uncle Edmund Wally 
Enzi who played a part in that war.
  For many of us, those days are forever etched in our minds because 
they had an impact on us and our families and friends that will never 
be erased or forgotten. But it is nothing like the memory of those who 
actually participated.

[[Page S6332]]

  We have the opportunity to honor the Senators who are with us today 
in this great body who played a part in that war. We have mentioned 
them, their achievements.
  I want to refer to a piece that was on Channel 1, which is an 
educational channel that goes to the schools every morning. They have 
seen these World War II events being dedicated and the people who came 
to those events. Each time there is one of those events, the people who 
come are a little bit older. They found out the kids of this country 
were getting kind of a false impression of who fought the war, so they 
put out a special piece that would be dedicated to these great men who 
serve in our Chamber. The title of it was: ``The Kids Who Saved the 
World.'' They showed the people coming to the reunions, but then they 
shifted back to the pictures of these people as they served. It made a 
much greater identification for the kids across this country that the 
patriots, the ones who put their lives on the line, were not much older 
than the kids in school watching this Channel 1.
  I thank Senator Daniel Akaka, Senator Fritz Hollings, Senator Daniel 
Inouye, Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Ted Stevens, and Senator John 
Warner for being those ``kids who saved the world'' and allowing us to 
be here in this forum today.
  For us, as Americans, our World War II story begins on December 7, 
1941, a date President Franklin D. Roosevelt told us would live in 
infamy, as Japan suddenly and deliberately attacked the United States 
of America.
  The next day, the President reassured a fearful nation that the 
attack on Pearl Harbor would not stand and that all our resources would 
be brought to bear on ridding the world of the terrible menace that was 
threatening the future peace and security of the United States and 
Europe.
  In the years that followed, the United States put forth an effort to 
combat evil that had never been seen before. Sixteen million served in 
our Armed Forces and a united America gladly did everything that could 
possibly be done to support the war effort back home. The United States 
was fully committed to the cause at hand and no price was too great, no 
sacrifice too burdensome, and no hardship too severe, if it meant 
victory overseas.
  The World War II Memorial on the Mall commemorates the sacrifices of 
those 16 million veterans who served with pride and patriotism during 
World War II. It also honors and recognizes the millions more who 
supported the war cause back home. For without the efforts of our 
troops on the front lines, and the support and encouragement of family 
and friends back home, we would have never been successful. Thanks to 
all of them, we succeeded beyond our greatest expectations. This was 
truly a time when we knew there was no option but complete and total 
victory and we refused to consider any other option--regardless of the 
cost.
  When President Roosevelt made the call for recruits it was answered 
in unprecedented fashion. The 16 million Americans who reported for 
duty made it clear that they would pay any price to defend the freedoms 
and liberties of our own Nation. They also committed themselves to the 
liberation of Europe and the preservation of liberty there and in many 
other parts of the world.

  They were just average Americans from small towns and large, from 
small States and large, who were caught up in a cause greater than 
themselves. They soon showed themselves to be the greatest weapon ever 
known in the history of warfare--the American Armed Forces. They were 
sent to far away places with strange sounding names, as the song goes, 
and they probably never imagined there was anything special about them. 
Heroes? They probably never thought of themselves that way, but for 
those who read about their exploits, and for those of us who now live 
with the freedom that their blood, sweat and tears provided, we cannot 
think of them any other way.
  They were young men and women, called to attempt the impossible, 
knowing the odds were against them, and still they tried, because they 
believed in our country and the principles we hold dear as a nation.
  We have several World War II veterans serving with us here in the 
Senate, with several more serving in the House. Their commitment to 
country and duty which began so many years ago continues today in the 
Congress.
  Senator Daniel Akaka, Senator Fritz Hollings, Senator Daniel Inouye, 
Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Ted Stevens, and Senator John Warner 
represent in a special way all of those who served with distinction and 
honor during those days. They are our link with the past, a past that 
has made our present possible.
  What they achieved, along with all those who served with them, is 
best seen in the words that have been posted on several Internet sites, 
attributed by some to Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC:

     It is the soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom 
           of the press.

     It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of 
           speech.

     It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us 
           freedom to demonstrate.

     It is the soldier, not the lawyer, Who has given us freedom 
           of the right to a fair trial.

     It is the soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves under the 
           flag and

     Whose coffin is draped by the flag,
     Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

  This is the legacy our veterans have left us and it reflects the debt 
we owe them all. They are--and they always have been--the force that 
guarantees our Bill of Rights. They are--and have been--the force that 
stands guard around the world, vigilant and watchful, while we sleep. 
They are the ones for whom love of country are not just words, they are 
a way of life.
  In the years to come, the Memorial on the Mall will serve as a 
constant reminder that freedom isn't free and that it comes at a great 
price. More than 400,000 American lives were lost in World War II and 
many more were wounded in battles all over the world. They will be 
remembered there. The memorial will also serve as a symbol of the 
heartfelt dedication and total commitment that was needed to put an end 
to the tyranny that threatened to ensnare the world around us. It was 
an effort that we pray will never have to be duplicated.
  We take great pride in our Nation's veterans because they are our 
greatest American heroes. They were as one, willing to sacrifice all 
their tomorrows to ensure we would live in freedom today. Our way of 
life is their legacy, their gift to us all. God bless them all, our 
Nation's heroes, our Nation's veterans.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, this past weekend President Bush dedicated 
the World War II Memorial before an audience of several hundred 
thousand attendees and a national television audience of millions.
  The memorial honors the 16 million who served in our Armed Forces 
during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions 
who supported the war effort from home.
  Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a 
monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American 
people to the common defense of the Nation and to the broader causes of 
peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world.
  It is my belief that it will inspire future generations of Americans, 
deepening their appreciation of what the World War II generation 
accomplished in securing freedom and democracy.
  Above all, the memorial stands as an important symbol of American 
national unity, a timeless reminder of the moral strength and awesome 
power that can flow when a free people are at once united and bonded 
together in a common and just cause.
  The dedication of the World War II monument reminded me of a story 
that not many are familiar with. This story is about a young man whose 
experiences throughout the Pacific during World War II helped mold him 
into the compassionate, reasoned, and fiercely patriotic gentleman he 
is today.
  In December of 1941, that young man was a high school student in 
Hawaii. And on the morning of December 7th, he and his schoolmates 
watched from the hillside in horror as the Japanese planes carried out 
their surprise attack on the Naval fleet in Pearl Harbor.
  After finishing high school, this young patriot joined the United 
States Army and was assigned to the Corps of Engineers. He sailed 
throughout the Pacific, and participated in the invasions of the 
Japanese-held islands of Saipan and Tinian. In fact, when he

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was on Tinian he watched the Enola Gay lift off on her historic mission 
to the Japanese mainland.
  Young Daniel K. Akaka had witnessed the beginning of World War II, 
and was fortunate enough to witness its conclusion.
  Many years have passed since then. Now, Senator Akaka can look back 
on a remarkable life. In addition to his Army exploits, he was a 
welder, a school teacher and principal, Congressman and is currently a 
U.S. Senator representing the good people of Hawaii.
  It is in his current capacity that I know him best. As a member of 
the Senate Armed Services Committee and ranking member on the Readiness 
and Management Support Subcommittee, we have worked together overseeing 
military readiness issues including training and exercises, logistics, 
and industrial operations, depots and shipyards, military construction, 
environmental programs, as well as policies and procedures related to 
reform of management practices at the Department of Defense.
  I have the utmost respect and admiration for my colleague. Today I 
want to say thank you to my friend, Daniel Akaka.
  The United States of America is the leader of the free world and the 
greatest Nation in history because you and your comrades, the greatest 
generation, served and sacrificed.
  We have not forgotten how you helped save the world from tyranny, nor 
do we take for granted the price you paid for the freedom we cherish 
today.
  You served our country with honor and commitment during one of the 
darkest times in modern history.
  This Nation is as grateful, if not more, for you today, than we were 
in the days following your liberation of the world.
  History has taught us how heroic and courageous you truly were. So it 
is only fitting that on this day, at this time, on behalf of a grateful 
nation I say, thank you. God bless you, Daniel.
  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I rise this week to commemorate the 60th 
anniversary of the World War II Allied invasion of Normandy and to 
honor the courageous members of our Armed Forces, especially those from 
New Jersey, who participated in that decisive battle.
  In the waning days of 1943, the Allied Command, led by General Dwight 
David Eisenhower, developed a plan to cross the English Channel and 
gain a foothold on France's Normandy coast. This bold strategy breached 
Hitler's western defenses and began the liberation of France and the 
rest of Nazi-occupied Europe.
  The invasion known as Operation Overlord was to become the largest 
air, land and sea operation any military force had ever undertaken. 
After months of planning, training and preparation by the Allies, June 
6, 1944 was selected as the invasion date, or D-Day.
  Moving and fighting under stormy skies, the invasion force, led by 
the United States, Great Britain and Canada, and including Free French 
and Free Polish units, consisted of over 1 million service personnel. 
The American contingent included tens of thousands of ground combat 
troops who assaulted over Omaha and Utah beaches, airborne units which 
landed behind enemy lines, U.S. Navy sailors, Army logisticians and 
other specialists, and Army Air Corps aviators and ground crews who 
supported the landings.
  The dangers were grave, and the stakes almost incalculable. Our 
troops' skill and determination won our Nation a world-changing 
success, a military victory which today remains a keystone of the 
liberties and security Americans and their partners still enjoy. The 
soldiers who fought their way ashore in Normandy and who there dropped 
into battle under heavy fire demonstrated unsurpassed tenacity and 
valor. Their superb performance and their sacrifices in the cause of 
freedom and democracy will always be remembered and appreciated by a 
grateful nation. May our D-Day veterans' memory and deeds be a constant 
reminder of Americans' courage, resolve and devotion to duty in World 
War II.
  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor America's veterans 
of World War II.
  I am pleased to have this opportunity to thank the millions of 
Americans who served our Nation during the Second World War. World War 
II marks the greatest triumph of the United States in the 20th Century. 
The war has become a symbol of the power of a nation united and a 
turning point in the history of the world.
  It is important to note that the service of men and women of the 
World War II generation went far beyond their sacrifices on the 
battlefields of Africa, Europe, and the Pacific. After winning the war, 
they returned home to create a strong, prosperous nation and helped 
shape America into the beacon of liberty that it is today.
  I am honored to work along side six World War II veterans here in the 
Senate. Our colleagues Senators Inouye, Stevens, Warner, Hollings, 
Lautenberg, and Akaka each answered their Nation's call to duty. I 
thank them for their service in the military during World War II and 
for their continued service and leadership in the Senate.
  I was extremely touched by this past weekend's emotional dedication 
ceremony of the National World War II Memorial and the opportunity it 
provided for our nation to honor our World War II veterans. While 
belated, this memorial provides all Americans with a place to express 
their appreciation for the men and women who fought in the war and to 
reflect on the sacrifices of those who died to defeat the evils of 
tyranny and oppression. Though it is the newest of our war memorials, I 
believe it has already become a national treasure.
  I also want to take this opportunity to pay a special tribute to the 
veterans of D-Day. Next week marks the 60th anniversary of the allied 
landing at Normandy, France. On June 6, 1941, the largest fleet of 
ships in the history of the world left ports in Great Britain for the 
coast of France. Aboard these ships were thousands of young Americans 
who fought and died to gain a foothold on Europe and to help free those 
who had fallen under the dark shadow of Hitler's forces. These young 
men were the spearhead of one of the greatest military forces ever 
assembled and deserve special recognition for their sacrifices.
  Like so many Americans, members of my own family proudly served in 
World War II. Both my father and father-in-law served in the military 
during World War II. I want to thank them and to join with my Senate 
colleagues in expressing my gratitude to all the veterans of World War 
II. We are proud and thankful for all that they have done and continue 
to do in service to the United States of America.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the United 
States Senate's World War II veterans--soldiers then, statesmen now. 
They each have unique personal histories and paths from wearing the 
uniform to serving in this body, yet they share that common badge of 
honor. They took up arms in a war for the life of all free nations, and 
for the survival of deliberative democracy embodied by the Chamber in 
which they serve today.
  The dedication of the World War II Memorial this past weekend freshly 
reminded all of us that individuals like Senators Warner, Stevens, 
Akaka, Hollings and Inouye devoted their youth to the greatest cause 
our Nation has ever undertaken. During that ceremony on Sunday, the sea 
of former soldiers, and sailors and airmen on the National Mall was a 
moving testament to the unique, lasting place all veterans have in 
their hearts for fallen comrades. Years have not diminished the meaning 
of sacrifice that they know best.
  Where often our prayers and thoughts focus on the blessings of 
liberty, we were also recently reminded by Memorial Day of the costs of 
the liberty--the loss of those who in Lincoln's words gave the ``last, 
full measure of devotion.'' It is only fitting that, on the heels of 
Memorial Day and the dedication of the World War II Memorial, we take a 
moment to recognize our friends and colleagues who served in the Armed 
Forces during the Second World War.
  In the Senate, we are all privileged to serve with five colleagues 
who wore the uniform during a time freedom and civilization itself 
depend upon young soldiers like them.
  Senator John Warner, now at the helm of the Armed Services Committee, 
volunteered for the U.S. Navy at the young age of 17, and later would

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enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea.
  Senator Ted Stevens carved out a decorated war record as a pilot in 
the China-Burma-India theater, supporting the Flying Tigers of the 14th 
Air Force. His bravery earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two 
Air Medals, and the Yuan Hai medal award by the Republic of China.

  Senator Daniel Akaka, now a leader on the Armed Services Committee, 
was once a young Hawaii welder and mechanic serving with the Army Corps 
of Engineers in the Marianas, from 1945 to 1947.
  Senator Fritz Hollings, schooled at the Citadel, began his service in 
1942 as a commissioned officer in the North African and European 
fronts, where he would receive the Bronze Star and seven campaign 
ribbons.
  Senator Daniel Inouye had known the horror of Pearl Harbor, where he 
volunteered as head of a first-aid team, and in 1943, he enlisted in 
the U.S. Army's 442nd Regimental combat Team. Senator Inouye has 
chronicled his World War II experiences in ``Go for Broke,'' the story 
of his famed group of Japanese-American soldiers.
  Senator Frank Lautenberg joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps fresh from 
high school. He served until 1946 in Signal Corps Battalion 3185 and as 
a communications specialist attached to British 21st Army Group.
  These five colleagues remind us of the high calling to which the 
Greatest Generation responded--prepared to give all, to protect all. 
They served beside 400,000 American comrades who would never leave the 
shores and soil of Europe, the islands of the Pacific and the desert of 
North Africa.
  On the ``Freedom Wall'' of the new World War II Memorial shine 4,000 
gold stars--with each star representing 100 lives lost. Just as that 
human toll approaches the unfathomable, so too do we struggle to truly 
comprehend the extent to which the heroes of World War II--all with 
their own unique lives and stories and dreams that would never be 
fulfilled--collectively turned the course of history away from darkness 
and toward liberty and light. As their loss to their family and country 
was permanent, let us also never forget that what they achieved for 
humankind will stand for all nations, for all time.
  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, on May 29, 2004 the National World War II 
Memorial was formally dedicated on the National Mall.
  A number of Rhode Islanders of whom our State is particularly proud 
played important roles in the design and construction of this 
strikingly beautiful monument.
  Credit for the overall vision of the monument is owed to Providence's 
Friedrich St. Florian, whose architectural design was chosen from over 
400 competing entries.
  As to the great results of the construction, I am proud to mention 
North Kingstown's Anthony Ramos, the founder and president of New 
England Stone, whose company was responsible for quarrying and 
fabricating all granite use in the memorial. Nick and John Benson of 
the John Stephens Shop in Newport were the principal stone carvers of 
the project; through their work they turned hulks of granite into works 
of art. Finally, I am pleased to honor Lawrence Rebel and all members 
of the Gilbane Building Company of Providence for their contributions 
as construction managers, selected by the General Services 
Administration's public buildings division.
  This memorial is a deserving tribute to the sacrifices made by the 
men and women of the United States during the Second World War, and I 
am proud of Rhode Island's contributions to the effort.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Hawaii.
  Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I rise with deep humility and honor. The 
words of my colleagues and friends have touched me greatly. I am most 
grateful. But in listening to their words, I must suggest that wars are 
not won by soldiers alone. It takes a united nation to do that.
  The war that we were privileged and honored to serve in was a war 
that a united America carried out. Husbands went to war, but their 
wives stayed home and worked in the factories. Some worked in the 
fields. There were mothers who were in anguish every day while their 
sons were away, but they gave us hope. They gave us courage. Little 
kids went around collecting pennies to buy bonds.
  Yes, it took a nation to win this war. The memorial testifies to 
that. It does not just honor those who served in battle, but it honors 
those wives and sweethearts who worked in the factories, the little 
students who collected scrap metal and pennies.
  Yes, we were young. But we knew what was going on. I have been asked 
many times: If given the chance, would I do it again? I think I speak 
for all of my colleagues: Certainly, because it was the right thing to 
do. It was the American thing to do. And what we did I am certain all 
other Americans would have done.
  We all received medals. It is unfortunate that all Americans could 
not receive those medals. Well, I can tell you that my mother deserved 
a medal. She had to look at the little flag that flew over her window. 
There were three stars on it. My two brothers served in the Korean war. 
It must have been a difficult time for her. I am certain that all 
mothers have gone through this.
  So I thank all of my colleagues.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Madam President, let me also acknowledge the fact that 
my mother, too, had three stars in the window. I had one brother in the 
Pacific, one in the Mideast, and myself in Africa and Europe.
  Senator Stevens, Senator Warner, and a bunch of us went down to the 
World War II Memorial with our friend Senator Dole who chaired that 
particular memorial. It was a rather blowy day, and all that wind was 
blowing those fountains all over us. We veterans, in visiting with our 
good friend Bob Dole, renamed the memorial Viagra Falls after Bob Dole.
  But the truth of the matter is, if you go down on the right-hand 
side, there is a saying by Roosevelt in 1942 dedicating a good part of 
that memorial and the thought of that memorial to Rosie the Riveter.
  That brings to mind the fact that we all had an easy time. We are 
lucky to be here, as we know. We had an easy time when we came back. It 
makes me think of the distinguished Senator from Nebraska, Chuck Hagel. 
He fought in the war in Vietnam, where the soldiers came back facing 
hardships. And that is the big difference.
  We really honor our friend Daniel Inouye, because he had to fight his 
country in order to fight his country's enemy. He struggled for a year 
and a half. He was in the military at the time of Pearl Harbor, but 
being a nisei of Japanese descent, it wasn't until we were very short 
of troops in Italy, that we first committed the full 442nd combat team 
into the lost battalion, into the Rhone Valley and then into Italy. And 
God bless him, he deserves a Medal of Honor, not only for the courage 
in battle but the determination against an ungrateful nation that would 
not even allow him to fight.
  Now, what is the point? The point is that we know how to fight a war, 
but we don't know when to start one. That is why I particularly wanted 
to thank the majority and minority leaders, in addition to all the 
Senators, too, who have had these laudatory remarks. We are all very 
grateful. And we welcome, incidentally, our distinguished former 
colleague, the Senator from Maryland, Joseph D. Tydings. He is still 
ready to fight. This is the first time he has been on the floor of the 
Senate in 30 years. But I had the pleasure and distinction of serving 
with him as a junior Senator. And then, of course, our colleague from 
Arkansas, Dale Bumpers, went to fight that war.
  We had, as Senator Tydings and I just remembered, that Gulf of 
Tonkin. I had to sit in the chair. I got two Golden Gavel Awards; 200 
hours listening to Wayne Morse, whom I thought was a little looney at 
the time because I was from South Carolina. We were committed in 
Vietnam. I found out later that I was the one who was looney, and Wayne 
Morse was right. He was debating Bill Fulbright on the Gulf of Tonkin.
  This is not political. We know now why we are not into Iraq. We know 
specifically that there wasn't any al-Qaida. The Department of State 
put out a listing of 45 countries that had al-Qaida ties on 9/11, and 
it did not have Iraq listed. We know it wasn't the

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matter of Saddam being any threat. Retired General Zinni said the other 
day that his army was a decaying force. He used that word. If you read 
Dick Clarke's book ``Against All Enemies,'' you will find Paul 
Wolfowitz, and Clarke and none other than John McLaughlin, of the CIA 
are talking about going into Iraq. Wolfowitz, who is a friend of mine, 
says, what about Iraq? He says, there is no evidence, no intelligence 
whatever of any terrorism against the United States in the last 10 
years. Isn't that right, John? And John confirms that.
  Let me make a sort of harsh comment, but take it advisedly because we 
were just talking earlier today with respect to the McCarthy days. I 
want to talk about intelligence. I served in the McCarthy days 50 years 
ago. Doolittle had made a study that was a whitewash. So they came back 
and the Congress said: Let's give President Herbert Hoover, the 
commission on the reorganization of the executive branch. I was one of 
the six members on the Hoover commission task force investigating the 
intelligence activities. In the Senate, I served 8 years on the Senate 
Intelligence Committee. So I speak with some experience when I say 
right now our intelligence is one grand charade.
  I say it with all due respect. You cannot find any finer people than 
those on the 911 Commission--Governor Kean, Lee Hamilton, John Lehman, 
who is a good friend. There is nobody I respect more. The individuals 
are doing the job. But the idea that we somehow lacked intelligence is 
out of the whole cloth. Why? Because our best friend in the Mideast, 
Israel, has the best of the best of intelligence. Their survival 
depends on their intelligence. Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka, Senator 
Stevens, Senator Warner, and Senator Lautenberg, in the 1980s, Israel 
had to go into Iraq to take out its nuclear facility. They could not 
have a U.N. meeting or whatever to discuss the situation. They had to 
destroy the plant for their own survival, and that is what they did.
  This Senator thought at the time the United States went into Iraq it 
was because we faced clear evidence of peril. That is what the 
President told us. He said we cannot wait until the smoking gun is a 
mushroom cloud. So the lesson to learn is not just the heroism of the 
greatest generation but the mistakes.
  We have to be awfully cautious. All six of us World War II vets say 
nobody wants to cut and run from Iraq. We hope yesterday's news was 
good, with this new council. It seems as if they have some support of 
the U.N. If President Bush can get that resolution out of the United 
Nations, we still have a chance to win in Iraq. That is still my hope.
  I will conclude with the prayer to the fallen comrade:

       Lord, lest I go my complacent way, Help me to remember that 
     a man died for me today. So long as there be war, I must ask 
     and answer, Am I worth dying for?

  That is the test of this ``greatest generation'' still.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Hawaii is recognized.
  Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I rise in the spirit of thanksgiving and 
pride as I stand in the Chamber with others who have served in World 
War II. I thank this body for the honor they have given all of us. But 
I say thanksgiving because I thank God. I thank God for being here. I 
thank God for being a part of this body. I thank my ma and my pa for 
bringing me into this world. I thank my wife Millie and my family for 
the support they have given me. I thank my buddies who served with me 
and trained with me in World War II.
  I thank God for setting a new course not only for me but for our 
country. Because of World War II, we saw our country changing itself 
from being very prejudicial to being forgiving, and setting a new 
course not only for our country but for the world.
  When I think of what helped me after I left the Army, I used the GI 
Bill of Rights program. That was, for me, one of the greatest programs. 
I would say that each of us here have benefited by using that to go to 
college. As a result of that, we were able to set our professions and 
eventually be elected to the Senate. But things have changed not only 
in our lives but in our country and the world. When I think of our 
country and how it has benefited from World War II, other countries, 
such as Germany, have also benefited from World War II. Japan has 
benefited from World War II. It has really changed the world.
  So I thank God, my family, my buddies, and my colleagues here 
especially for the kind words and sentiments that have been given 
tonight. I feel proud to be part of this esteemed body. I thank my 
colleagues again and our leadership for this recognition. I want them 
to know that I am proud to have served our country.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia is recognized.
  Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I think it is appropriate that I am the 
last veteran of World War II in the Senate to rise because I am the 
youngest. I say that only because it reflects on my very modest career 
in World War II. I was but 17 in January 1945. The Navy called me and I 
served in training commands. All of our generation went in. It is hard 
to remember back, but everybody wanted to go. The Battle of the Bulge 
had just occurred, where my distinguished colleague here served. All of 
our high school class suddenly recognized that from this great and 
powerful Nation, for those 3 weeks of the Battle of the Bulge, there 
was an element as to when we would eventually have the victory for 
which we all prayed. It was no big deal. It was exciting.
  I have always looked back on my modest service of less than 2 years 
because the war ended rather unexpectedly. We were all trained to go 
into the Pacific as the war in Europe had stopped. We were prepared to 
go aboard our ships as replacements for those who endured months and, 
in most instances, years of service. We talk about the youngsters who 
went off for 6 months today, or even for a year. But in those days, it 
was not unusual to be gone for 3 years and never go back home. We were 
all prepared as youngsters to go and were quite willing, well-trained, 
beautifully educated in our respective responsibilities. I was a radio-
radar technician.
  That was the spirit of America, which was totally unified behind us. 
My colleague paid homage, most appropriately, to the home front. I 
think Senator Inouye said the Nation won the war, which is true. Behind 
all of the military people were hundreds of thousands at home.
  What beautiful eloquence here today. It has been an enriching 
experience. Yes, I, too, think the medals should have gone to our 
parents, as Senator Inouye said. My mother and my father died. He 
served in World War I in the trenches as a doctor, wounded and 
decorated. I was brought up knowing he and my mother had been 
associated with the Red Cross and tended the wounded. They would have 
expected their son to go, as did all parents in those days.
  I served later in the Marines--that time as a staff officer in combat 
zones, but always in support of those in combat arms and in the air. I 
never claimed the title of a combat soldier. I am proud to have served 
with the distinguished men who did. They have been my big brothers. 
There have been 114 who served this body from World War II. I expect 
that in my 26 years, I served with half of them. I had a younger 
brother but never a big brother. Now I have had all these wonderful 
veterans who trained me. I would not be in the Senate had it not been 
for the discipline, sense of mission, self-reliance, and the sense that 
you owe a debt to your buddies in the military and others who helped 
you in life.
  Lastly, the GI bill was the greatest investment ever made by this 
Nation for a generation. How proud all of us in this Chamber are today 
that we have continued that educational program, such that the current 
men and women in the Armed Forces are able to get those benefits, as 
did we, and hopefully they can have the careers we have had.

  This is such a magnificent nation in which we live and we are so 
grateful. I am deeply humbled to be the youngest, the most 
inconspicuous, and the most modest in terms of military service, of all 
to participate on this memorable day. I express our appreciation first 
and foremost to God Almighty who for one reason or another spared those 
who have come to this Chamber, having served in World War II, to our 
parents, and to our buddies, fellow sailors, airmen, and marines with 
whom we served. I am grateful to our leaders who had the concept to 
bring this

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memorable hour for all of us to share in and express our deepest 
gratitude.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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