[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 22 (Wednesday, March 2, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H851-H852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE REAL ``SURVIVORS'' OF PALAU

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, Reality TV is very popular these days. 
``Survivor'' was the first of these shows to really break through. This 
season ``Survivor'' is being filmed on the island of Palau.
  A reader, Major Jerry Wiffler, pointed out to nationalreview.com that 
this island was also the site of an important battle in 1944. On 
September 15, 1944, the 1st Marine Division landed on the beaches of 
Palau in order to protect MacArthur's right flank as he tried to 
recapture the Philippines. The battle was ferocious, as were most of 
these island engagements in the South Pacific. Ten thousand and five 
hundred Japanese troops fought for nearly a month before the Marines 
were able to secure the island, and during this battle, Major Wiffler 
recalls, eight Marines earned the Medal of honor for their actions.
  Today the island is best known as the setting for a ``reality'' TV 
show that

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pits people against each other for prize money. Sixty years ago, the 
island was the site of great bravery and courage, not for the sake of 
prize money, but for the sake of our Nation and for freedom.
  Major Wiffler hoped we would remember this.

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