[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 76 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5897-S5898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE 231ST BIRTHDAY OF THE ARMY
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 512, which was submitted
early today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 512) celebrating the 231st birthday
of the Army and commending the men and women of the Army as
exceptional individuals who live by the values of loyalty,
duty, and selfless service.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to our U.S.
Army. On June 14, 1775, our Founding Fathers formed the U.S. Army out
of a desire to defend their liberties. The Continental Army that
emerged in the midst of our war for independence laid a foundation for
patriotism, tenacity and courage that remains at the care of the Army
of today. Since that time, American Soldiers have fought in more than
10 wars, from the American Revolution to the global war on terror. This
231st birthday serves as a reminder that today's Army continues to
stand as the guardian of our nation's freedom. Today, we salute the
brave men and women who call the Army home, and those soldiers that
have served and died before them, in a celebration of their ``Call to
Duty.''
The American soldier has always been the centerpiece of the Nation's
defense. Coupled with the desires to maintain our democracy and
freedom, these soldiers continue to march to the sound of the guns by
putting ``boots on the ground'' in more than 120 countries around the
world today. From Valley Forge to New Orleans, from Gettysburg to the
Marne, from Sicily and the beaches of Normandy to Inchon and the Ia
Drang Valley, from Kuwait to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi
Freedom, the American Soldier: brave, professional and determined, has
not faltered in his duty and stands ready to answer the next call.
Since 1775, millions of men and women, from all backgrounds and parts
of our Nation, have raised their right hands and taken an oath to
support and defend our Constitution. Today's 231st birthday reminds us
that these soldiers are the backbone of our society. Living each day by
the ``Warrior Ethos,'' these men and women personify the Army values of
loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal
courage.
No tribute to our men and women in uniform, whether they are from
Alabama or elsewhere, would be complete without mentioning their
families. America salutes our military families and the unspoken burden
they bear when their husbands and wives, fathers and mothers or sons
and daughters are called away to steamy jungles or unforgiving deserts
to defend this great nation and our way of life. The love and support
our soldier's families provide through their support and strength. We
remember also their sacrifices and the long days they spend apart.
To those currently serving, our thoughts and prayers are with you and
your families on this 231st Army birthday. Humbled by your sacrifice
and awed by your achievements, we continue to find comfort in knowing
you are an eminent presence: resolute in standing watch over our
democracy and freedoms. Celebrate this Army birthday and continue to
live to a higher standard through the Army values and the Warrior
Ethos.
Our celebration of the 231st Army birthday reminds us all of the
sacrifice so many have made in the preservation of our Nation. These
words are but a small token of the appreciation and thanks that are
owed for the dedication to duty and sacrifice these brave men and women
make on a daily basis. These soldiers deserve our gratitude, our praise
and most importantly our continued support as they continue to drive on
with the mission. Happy Birthday to our Army.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr President, I rise today in honor of the Army's 231st
birthday. For over two centuries, the Army has served this Nation with
honesty, courage, and dignity, and it is my privilege to take this
opportunity to commemorate its birth. Both in times of peace, and in
times of war, the U.S. Army has been poised and ready to answer the
call of duty to defend our Nation. All of our Army units--Active, Guard
and Reserve--share the heritage of the first Continental Army which
fought so valiantly for the principles of justice, freedom and
democracy. The commitment and duty of the Army soldiers who have risked
their lives to preserve our freedom have left an indelible mark on this
nation. During the Army's 231 year history, tens of thousands of these
brave men and women have sacrificed their lives on distant battlefields
to keep our nation safe. I salute them for their service to this
country.
I also pay tribute to the families of those soldiers who risk their
lives for our Nation. Too often the important role that families play
goes unacknowledged but their faith and devotion are vital to the
Army's success. The families of our soldiers have my deepest
appreciation for the sacrifices they make and for the support the give
our troops.
As this Nation continues to fight in the global war on terror, the
Army has been key to providing the Joint force the capabilities it
needs to persist in its struggle for liberty and democracy. Through the
efforts of the U.S. Army the world has been made a more secure,
prosperous, and better place for all of mankind. As I witnessed,
firsthand, during my recent trip to Iraq, the men and women serving in
the Army who so courageously defend our Nation represent the best of
what our country has to offer and have my deepest respect. Thank you
for your selfless service. It is an inspiration to us all.
Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to wish the U.S. Army happy
birthday. It was 231 years ago today, June 14, 1775, that the
Continental Army of the United States was formed.
Over the past 231 years, millions of men and women have served in the
oldest branch of our Armed Forces. Their honor, courage, sacrifice and
service are the foundation of America's greatness.
The Army principles of ``Duty, Honor, Country'' is America. Every
generation of Americans who have served in the U.S. Army from the
Continental Army to our fighting men and women serving today in Iraq
and Afghanistan have been shaped by these principles. The United States
Army has shaped lives just as it has shaped our history.
The U.S. Army has protected our democracy and helped make the world
more secure, peaceful, and prosperous.
On this 231st birthday of the U.S. Army, we also recognize and thank
the individuals who have sacrificed and served our country. They
inspire us and will continue to serve as role models for future
generations.
``Happy Birthday'' to the U.S. Army. And, in the Army's great rich
tradition and as a proud Army veteran, I proclaim my annual Senate
floor ``HOOAH!''
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 512) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 512
Whereas, from the first Continental Army under General
Washington to the beaches of Normandy and the city streets of
Iraq, the Army has protected the flame of democracy;
Whereas the citizens of the United States continue to enjoy
freedom and spread the light of democracy because the men and
women of the Army have stood through adversity, remained
steadfast in the most difficult of circumstances, and bravely
fought against the enemies of peace throughout the world;
Whereas the sacrifices of those men and women of the Army
have called all citizens
[[Page S5898]]
of the United States, both public and private, to the highest
forms of citizenship;
Whereas the Army maintains its presence in 120 countries
across the world, including Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Kosovo;
Whereas the accomplishments of the Army in the Global War
on Terror have demonstrated the courage and strength of the
men and women of the Army;
Whereas, in Iraq, the Army has brought freedom to a
population once under tyrannical control, allowing the
citizens of Iraq to enjoy the recent election of officials,
the formation of a constitution, and the formation of the
government under Prime Minister al-Maliki;
Whereas the men and women of the Army continued to provide
stability and security to Iraqis by killing Abu Musab al-
Zarqawi, who was commonly known among terrorists as the
``prince of al-Qaeda'';
Whereas Iraq has become a better place and a great ally,
which was evident when the ambassador of Iraq presented his
credentials to the Secretary of State for the first time in
15 years; and
Whereas those great accomplishments add to the longstanding
tradition of the Army and attest to the extraordinary
capability of the men and women who serve the United States:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) salutes the men and women of the Army;
(2) commends the men and women of the Army as exceptional
individuals who live by the values of loyalty, duty, and
selfless service; and
(3) recognizes that those great citizens--
(A) are the reason why the Army continues to stand as the
best military force in the world; and
(B) continue to perform amazing tasks and uphold the
honored traditions of the Army by adhering to the principle
expressed by General Douglas MacArthur when he proudly
declared that ``Americans never quit.''.
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today, the significance of this resolution
is something that needs the attention of this body. We are today
honoring the 231st birthday of the U.S. Army.
Throughout the centuries, the noble service of Army soldiers has
defended this great Nation. From the first Continental Army under GEN
George Washington, to the beaches of Normandy, to the city streets of
Baghdad, America's Army has protected the flame of freedom. Their
sacrifice calls us all--both public and private--to the highest
standard of citizenship. We enjoy our freedoms because they have been
steadfast through the most difficult of circumstances and continue to
spread the light of democracy to the darkest corners of the world. We
stand here today because they continue to willingly put their lives in
harm's way.
The Army's history is one of success. During the Mexican-American War
our country expanded westward to the Pacific and south to Texas. The
Philippine and Spanish-American Wars demonstrated the Army's courage
against strong insurgent forces and created the vital posts that exist
today in Southeast Asia. The Army continued to fight bravely in World
War I and World War II to defeat the Central powers and the Axis in
Europe and the Pacific. With the rise of Communism, the Army once again
answered freedom's call in Korea and Vietnam.
Today, these courageous soldiers continue the great tradition by
serving across the world in the war on terrorism. While the Army
maintains a presence in 120 countries across the world in countries
such as Djibouti, Korea, and Kosovo, the vast majority of our efforts
have been focused in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I just returned from my 11th trip to the Iraqi AOR. While I was over
there I observed firsthand the progress being made by our troops. The
Army has taken the bulk of the responsibility, and much of what we have
accomplished we owe to their outstanding service.
The Army has brought freedom to a population once under tyrannical
control. Freedom shines through the recent election of officials, the
formation of a constitution, and formation of the first permanent
government under Prime Minister al-Maliki. Recently, the first Iraqi
Ambassador in 15 years presented his credentials to the Secretary of
State. We have taken out the ``prince of al-Qaida,'' al-Zarqawi. These
great successes add to the longstanding tradition of our military.
Having just returned from that area, and having been there 11 times,
and having talked to our U.S. Army soldiers, as well as with the other
services, it is incredible that they are so much like they were in the
past. I recall when I was first drafted into the U.S. Army. It was so
long ago that I was drafted with Elvis Presley. And he had a little
better duty than I did. Nonetheless, you learn something when you
become an active member of the U.S. Army. You learn a type of
discipline and a type of tradition, and that tradition stays with you
all the rest of your life.
It was not long ago that my fellow Army veteran, Senator Danny Akaka,
and I formed the Army Caucus to bring attention to the work of the Army
in the past, the present, and in the future.
To let you know how things change, I can remember only 12 years ago,
when I was serving in the other body, in the House Armed Services
Committee, someone testified at that time that in 10 years we would no
longer need ground troops. To let you know some of the problems we
have--and the fact is, yes, there are a lot of smart people around--but
nobody knows what contingencies we will have to be facing in the
future. And I can assure you, as we proceed into the future, as we
modernize our equipment, it will be in use again, and the U.S. Army
will come through, as they always have since the days of George
Washington.
As the Army continues to fight for freedom today and peace tomorrow,
I salute each Army soldier for their sacrifice, dedication, and
perseverance in protecting America. These soldiers are exceptional
individuals who live by the values of loyalty, duty, and selfless
service. It is in this spirit that the Army continues to uphold its
highest values and take its rich tradition into the next 231 years.
May God bless the United States Army.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. 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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