[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 103 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H7022-H7024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ESTABLISHING A WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 189) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' should be
established.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 189
Whereas the Vietnam War was fought in Vietnam from 1961 to
1975, and involved North Vietnam and the Viet Cong in
conflict with United States Armed Forces and South Vietnam;
Whereas the United States became involved in Vietnam
because policy-makers in the United States believed that if
South Vietnam fell to a Communist government then Communism
would spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia;
Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces began
serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961;
Whereas as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on
August 2 and 4, 1964, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Gulf
of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law 88-408), on August 7, 1964,
which effectively handed over war-making powers to President
Johnson until such time as ``peace and security'' had
returned to Vietnam;
Whereas, in 1965, United States Armed Forces ground combat
units arrived in Vietnam;
Whereas, by the end of 1965, there were 80,000 United
States troops in Vietnam, and
[[Page H7023]]
by 1969 a peak of approximately 543,000 troops was reached;
Whereas, on January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was
signed, which required the release of all United States
prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and the withdrawal of
all United States Armed Forces from South Vietnam;
Whereas, on March 30, 1973, the United States Armed Forces
completed the withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam;
Whereas more than 58,000 members of the United States Armed
Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and more than 300,000
members of the Armed Forces were wounded;
Whereas, in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was
dedicated in the District of Columbia to commemorate those
members of the United States Armed Forces who died or were
declared missing-in-action in Vietnam;
Whereas the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue
among the people of the United States;
Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces who
served bravely and faithfully for the United States during
the Vietnam War were caught upon their return home in the
crossfire of public debate about the involvement of the
United States in the Vietnam War;
Whereas the establishment of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam
Veterans Day'' would be an appropriate way to honor those
members of the United States Armed Forces who served in
Vietnam during the Vietnam War; and
Whereas March 30 would be an appropriate day to establish
as ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'': Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that there should be established a ``Welcome
Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' to honor those members of the
United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
General Leave
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration
of H. Res. 189, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day be established.
H. Res. 189, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by
Representative Linda Sanchez on February 16, 2007. H. Res. 189 was
reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June
12, 2007 by voice vote.
The Vietnam War was the longest military conflict in U.S. history.
The hostilities in Vietnam claimed the lives of more than 58,000
Americans, and some 304,000 were wounded in combat. The Vietnam War was
a military struggle fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1973. The patriotic
men and women who served valiantly and faithfully in the United States
Armed Forces during the Vietnam War were caught, upon their arrival and
return home, in the crossfire of public debate about the involvement of
the United States in the Vietnam War.
Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation to establish a Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day to honor those members of the United States Armed
Forces who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The time for a
Welcome Home Day is long overdue. I know every Member of this House and
every American would want to come forward to welcome home these
veterans who were not always welcomed home in the way we should always
welcome home those who have served us in the Armed Forces regardless of
our feelings on the particular conflict in which they came forward
bravely to serve us all.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Linda Sanchez,
for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this
bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on March 30, 1973, American combat troops serving in
Vietnam completed their service and returned home to the U.S. After 8
years of hard-fought battle and the loss of over 58,000 soldiers, we
welcomed our servicemen and women home and wished them a safe return.
Over 300,000 troops returned wounded during the war. House Res. 189
seeks to establish March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. It is
an opportunity to recognize the heroic service of these many veterans.
For fear that Southeast Asia would fall into communism, Congress
passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964, thereby giving powers to
President Johnson to conduct military command in South Vietnam until
peace and security had returned to the war-torn nation. One year later,
U.S. combat troops were sent to the embattled country. By 1969,
approximately 543,000 American troops were in Vietnam.
Thousands of Vietnam veterans participated in various festivities,
parades and reunions every year.
{time} 1515
We see them proudly wear their unit numbers, banners, T-shirts and
hats covered with pins, sharing stories and updating each other on
their lives. It is only fitting that we show our support for these
brave men and women by expressing our gratitude for their courageous
service.
Around 3 million people visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial each
year. The wall and two accompanying sculptures offer an opportunity to
learn about and appreciate the history of the war and its numerous
casualties. It is appropriate to commemorate this significant piece of
history by recognizing the day combat troops returned home from war as
welcome home Vietnam Veterans' Day.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I certainly rise in support of H. Res. 189. I have a
large number of Vietnam veterans in my district. Several years ago, I
had a commemorative coin struck that I gave to the Vietnam veterans. I
presented it and called it a long overdue welcome home event. There
weren't too many dry eyes as the coins were presented. We need to
remedy that, and certainly having a Welcome Home Vietnam Vets Day as
this bill calls for is long overdue.
The one thing that I ask Vietnam vets to please always do is when our
young men and women are returning today from battle, that they always
help the community to welcome them back, because no one would like to
be treated the way that many Vietnam vets were treated.
This is a great resolution, and it is long overdue. I certainly
support finally having a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I just would again urge passage. I think this
is a very thoughtful thing of our colleague from California to have
initiated. Frankly, I wonder why we didn't think of it sooner.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleague in his remarks,
and especially his remarks as to why didn't we think of this before. I
want to assure Vietnam War veterans, it has nothing to do with their
service. We have had a number of wars since and perhaps we have been
somewhat preoccupied with war, but we will never forget this important
and very sacrificial group of veterans.
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res.
189, a resolution that will honor the veterans of the Vietnam War in
eastern Connecticut and across our country by calling for the
establishment of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.''
As we know all too well, the Vietnam War was a painful and turbulent
period in our Nation's history. Our military involvement there from
1965 to 1973 came at a time of great upheaval and change that divided
our Nation. By the end of the war, more than 58,000 members of the
Armed Forces had given the ultimate sacrifice. Much has rightfully been
done to honor these lost heroes in the 30 years since the end of the
war, including a breathtaking memorial not far away from this Capitol
on our National Mall.
However, thousands of our troops came home after serving our country
in Vietnam
[[Page H7024]]
only to be barraged by anti-war and anti-military sentiments rising
from the deep and conflicting passions over our involvement in the
conflict. As a result, thousands of young men who served our Nation
were denied the welcome home they deserved--a painful memory that I
hear about even today when I speak with Vietnam veterans.
Today, 30 years after they returned home, those dark days of war
still haunt the veterans of Vietnam. Yet, I have been amazed by the
strength and dignity of the Vietnam veterans community in eastern
Connecticut. Since the end of the war, these proud men have been
unmatched in taking care of their own and supporting one another. This
past April, over 100 eastern Connecticut Vietnam veterans gathered once
again in Norwich, CT for the 7th Annual Vietnam Veterans Day
Commemorative Ceremony. I was proud to join them for the ceremony and
to honor their service and sacrifice.
Regardless of what one thinks about our involvement in a military
conflict, there is no doubt that any American who wears our Nation's
uniform deserves a hero's welcome when they return home. That is why I
am proud to support the resolution before us today, which expresses the
sense of the House that there should be a day set aside every year on
March 30 to honor the service of our Vietnam veterans by establishing a
``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.'' I sincerely hope that this
simple resolution will provide our Vietnam veterans with the
recognition they have so long deserved.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.
Res. 189, which puts the House on record in support of a ``Welcome Home
Vietnam Veteran's Day.'' This resolution honors members of the United
States Armed Forces who fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1975. In 1982,
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in the District of Columbia
to commemorate those members of the United States Armed Forces who died
or were declared missing-in-action in Vietnam. March 30 would be an
appropriate day to establish as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
More than 3 million Americans served in Vietnam, and nearly 58,000
lost their lives there. From mountain peaks to tropical rainforest,
American soldiers served in hostile country and fought a war for which
they were not trained. It was a war of savage, small-unit fighting
unlike any other in American history and in a stunning outcome,
American soldiers won all of the major battles. About 58,148 men were
killed, mostly between the ages of 20 and 29, but some as young as 16
years old. About 2.9 million men in total were involved in the
fighting. The average soldier--infantryman--saw about 240 days of
combat in 4 years, thanks to the mobility of the helicopter.
As an American, I am very proud of the courageous members of the
United States Armed Forces who fought in this war, even though they
were not sure of the purpose, to help stop what seemed to be the
spreading of Communist beliefs and values. I am more than grateful to
the men who gave so that we would be able to live as free as we do
today. These men were brave, high spirited, and fearless. These men did
something that most Americans never had to do. They risked life and
limb in defense of their countrymen. They deserve to be honored for
their efforts.
This resolution gives credit where credit is due. It will give
Americans a chance to reflect on the men, women, and their stories that
were short changed during this difficult time in our history.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 189.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.
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