[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 23, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13205-S13206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MARKING THE 24TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. MARINE BARRACKS BOMBING IN 
                            BEIRUT, LEBANON

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, normally the majority leader would 
proceed first. Since he is not on the floor at the moment, I wish to 
make a few remarks on leader time here as we get started.
  I rise today in honor of the 241 U.S. marines, sailors, and soldiers 
who were killed in a despicable suicide bombing attack on the U.S. 
Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. That attack occurred 24 years ago 
today on October 23, 1983.
  President Ronald Reagan had dispatched U.S. forces in 1982 to 
maintain the peace in Lebanon. On the morning of October 23, one 
Lebanese terrorist drove a truck packed with explosives through three 
guard posts and a barbed-wire fence, straight into the lobby of the 
U.S. Marine Corps' headquarters. The bomb exploded with the force of 
18,000 pounds of dynamite. It transformed the four-story cinder block 
building into rubble.
  It was so powerful, the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Columbia later described it as ``the largest non- nuclear explosion 
that had ever been detonated on the face of the Earth.''
  Some of the men and women lost that day were murdered in their sleep. 
Others who saw the truck come crashing in may have seen the face of the 
enemy as their last sight on Earth. Either way, 241 Americans wearing 
their country's uniform were killed in a brutal attack that shocked 
America and the world.
  Five Kentuckians were among the 241 who died in that attack. They 
were: PFC Sidney James Decker, U.S. Marine Corps, of Clarkson, KY; LCpl 
Virgil D. Hamilton, U.S. Marine Corps, of McDowell, KY; Hospital 
Corpsman 3rd Class Robert S. Holland, U.S. Navy, of Gilbertsville, KY; 
SGT Thomas C. Keown, U.S. Marine Corps, of Louisville, KY; and SGT 
Daniel S. Kluck, U.S. Army, of Owensboro, KY.
  Terrorists and their favorite tactic--the suicide attack--are still 
with us today. Thankfully for America, so are the U.S. Marines.
  Founded in 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps has been ``at the tip of the 
spear'' in every one of this Nation's wars, and they will never be 
stopped by a terrorist's suicide attack. This November, the country 
will celebrate the Corps' 232nd birthday, and thank them for defending 
our freedoms.
  By taking the fight to the terrorists wherever they hide, the Marines 
have put terrorists on the defensive, making it less likely they will 
hit us again here at home. By their courage on the battlefield and 
constant risk of danger, today's Marines honor every one of their 
forebears who died defending our country.

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  America still remembers her brave men and women lost in the Marine 
barracks bombing of 1983. We honor them and their families for their 
sacrifice. We continue to fight terror today with a steady hand, even 
if it is at times paired with a heavy heart. And we are proud of the 
brave men and women who fight for their country against the would-be 
terrorists of today and tomorrow.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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