[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 8, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2022-H2024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATING THE ARMY RESERVE ON ITS CENTENNIAL

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 70) congratulating the Army Reserve on its 
centennial, which will be formally celebrated on April 23, 2008, and 
commemorating the historic contributions of its veterans and continuing 
contributions of its soldiers to the vital national security interests 
and homeland defense missions of the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The text of the joint resolution is as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 70

       Whereas on January 9, 1905, the 26th President of the 
     United States, Theodore Roosevelt, dispatched a ``special 
     message'' to the Senate and the House of Representatives that 
     ``earnestly recommended passage'' of legislation to establish 
     a Federal reserve force of skilled and trained personnel to 
     bring ``our Army .  .  . to the highest point of 
     efficiency'';
       Whereas on December 14, 1905, the then-Secretary of War and 
     later 27th President of the United States, William Howard 
     Taft, transmitted to the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives a draft bill and letter authored by Major 
     General Leonard Wood, ``strongly commending .  .  . proposed 
     legislation'' to ``increase the efficiency of the Medical 
     Corps of the Army'' by establishing a Federal reserve force 
     comprised of specially trained personnel;
       Whereas in response to the recommendations of President 
     Theodore Roosevelt and senior military and civilian leaders, 
     the 60th Congress enacted Public Law 101, entitled ``An Act 
     to increase the efficiency of the Medical Department of the 
     United States Army'', ch. 150, 35 Stat. 66, which was signed 
     into law on April 23, 1908, by President Theodore Roosevelt;
       Whereas Public Law 101 authorized the establishment of the 
     first Federal reserve force and the first reservoir of 
     trained officers in a reserve status for a United States 
     military service;
       Whereas Congress subsequently adapted, expanded, and 
     amended the reserve organization of the Army to include 
     additional military occupational specialties and capabilities 
     and established the organization today known as the Army 
     Reserve;
       Whereas the Army Reserve has played a major role in the 
     defense of our Nation and in furtherance of United States 
     interests for 100 years;
       Whereas many distinguished Americans have served honorably 
     and with distinction in the Army Reserve, including 
     Presidents Harry S. Truman and Ronald W. Reagan, the former 
     Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Henry H. 
     Shelton, Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Major 
     General William J. Donovan (Director of the Office of 
     Strategic Services during World War II), Drs. Charles H. Mayo 
     and William J. Mayo, and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker;
       Whereas the Army Reserve contributed 169,500 soldiers to 
     the Army during World War I;
       Whereas the Army Reserve contributed 200,000 soldiers and 
     29 percent of the Army's officers during World War II and was 
     recognized by General George C. Marshall for its unique and 
     invaluable contributions to the national defense;
       Whereas 240,500 soldiers of the Army Reserve were called to 
     active duty during the Korean War;
       Whereas more than 60,000 Army Reserve soldiers were called 
     to active duty during the Berlin Crisis;
       Whereas 35 Army Reserve units were activated and deployed 
     in support of operations in Vietnam, where they served with 
     distinction and honor;
       Whereas the Army Reserve contributed more than 94,000 
     soldiers in support of Operations Desert Storm and Desert 
     Shield in 1990 and 1991;
       Whereas the Army Reserve contributed more than 48 percent 
     of the reserve component soldiers mobilized in support of 
     Operation Joint Endeavor and Operation Joint Guard in Bosnia;
       Whereas since September 11, 2001, the Army Reserve has 
     provided indispensable and sustained support for Operations 
     Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom, with 98 
     percent of units either deployed or providing mobilized 
     soldiers, and more than 147,000 individual soldiers being 
     mobilized (of which more than 110,000 individual soldiers 
     have deployed) in support of the Global War on Terrorism;
       Whereas more than 39,000 individual soldiers of the Army 
     Reserve have served multiple deployments since September 11, 
     2001;
       Whereas 13,003 Army Reserve soldiers were forward-deployed 
     in the Central Command Area of Responsibility on October 31, 
     2007, and 102 soldiers of the Army Reserve had borne the 
     ultimate sacrifice in support of Operations Enduring Freedom 
     and Iraqi Freedom through October 31, 2007;
       Whereas the Army Reserve is organized into 3 components, 
     the Ready Reserve, the Standby Reserve, and the Retired 
     Reserve, which together contain more than 601,000 soldiers;
       Whereas the Army cannot go to war or sustain a military 
     operation without the highly skilled and trained personnel of 
     the Army Reserve;
       Whereas the Army Reserve provides more than 37 percent of 
     the mission essential combat support and combat service 
     support forces of the Army;
       Whereas 100 percent of the Army's Internment Settlement 
     Brigades, Judge Advocate General Units (Legal Support 
     Organizations), Medical Groups, Railway Units, and Training 
     and Exercise Divisions are in the Army Reserve;
       Whereas more than 66 percent of the Army's Civil Affairs 
     Units, Psychological Operations Units, Theater Signal 
     Commands, Expeditionary Sustainment Commands, and Medical 
     Capabilities are in the Army Reserve;
       Whereas the Army Reserve is no longer a force held in 
     strategic reserve but today functions as an integral and 
     essential operational reserve in support of the missions of 
     the active Army;
       Whereas the Army cannot go to war or sustain a military 
     operation without the skilled and trained Ready Reserve and 
     Retired Reserve soldiers of the Army Reserve;
       Whereas the Selected Reserve component of the Army Reserve 
     is comprised of more than 30,000 officers and 150,000 
     enlisted soldiers who have volunteered their personal service 
     in defense of the Constitution and their fellow citizens;
       Whereas the Army and the Army Reserve are recognized as 
     institutions that have played historic and decisive roles in 
     promoting the cause of individual dignity and the value of 
     integration;
       Whereas nearly one in four Selected Reserve soldiers and 
     more than one in five Individual Ready Reserve soldiers are 
     women whose contributions are consistently characterized by a 
     high degree of commitment, professionalism, and military 
     bearing;
       Whereas the ability of individual soldiers and the Army 
     Reserve to perform their wartime missions is contingent on 
     the active engagement and support of their families, 
     employers, and local communities;
       Whereas the Army Reserve is a community-based force with an 
     active presence in 1,100 communities and 975 Army Reserve 
     centers in operation throughout the United States;
       Whereas Sir Winston Churchill once remarked that 
     ``Reservists are twice the citizen'', a sentiment that 
     applies especially to the soldiers of the Army Reserve; and
       Whereas the Army Reserve makes these contributions to the 
     security of our nation in return for less than 5 percent of 
     the Army's total budget: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     Congress--
       (1) congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 
     100th anniversary of the enactment of its original 
     authorizing law;
       (2) recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the 
     selfless and dedicated service of its past and present 
     citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and 
     sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the 
     national security and homeland defense of the United States; 
     and
       (3) extends its gratitude to the veterans, soldiers, 
     families, and employers whose essential and constant support 
     have enabled the Army Reserve to accomplish its vital 
     missions and renews our Nation's commitment in support of 
     their noble efforts.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 70, which commemorates 2008 as 
the centennial of the United States Army Reserve, celebrating the 
historic contributions of its veterans and continuing contributions of 
its soldiers to operations at home and abroad. I thank my colleague, 
Mr. Bishop of Georgia, for introducing this important resolution.

[[Page H2023]]

  On January 9, 1905, the 26th President of the United States, Theodore 
Roosevelt, dispatched a special message to the Senate and the House of 
Representatives recommending passage of legislation to establish a 
Federal Reserve force of trained personnel to bring our Army to its 
highest point of efficiency.
  Beginning as a supplementary unit at the turn of the 20th century, 
our Army Reserve soldiers have shown immeasurable dedication and valor 
through the broadening of their inceptive purpose. The Army Reserve has 
developed from a few support troops during World War I into a vital and 
sustained operational force for current and future operations. This 
Federal force has been deployed in different capacities, serving in 
eight wars and defending the interests of the United States and its 
allies in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Russia, Berlin, 
Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Kenya, Iraq 
and numerous humanitarian missions in other countries during its first 
100 years. Involvement in operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Joint 
Endeavor, Joint Guard, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom 
shows the Army is incomplete without the skilled and trained personnel 
of its Reserve.
  The Army Reserve has grown from 160 medical officers to virtually 
200,000 soldiers who play a major role in the defense of our Nation and 
who continue in the furtherance of the United States defense interests.
  At this moment approximately 50,000 of our Nation's Army Reserve 
soldiers are serving on active duty around the world. These men and 
women voluntarily put their civilian careers and family lives on hold. 
And in most cases, they do so for over a year which is a testament to 
their selflessness, patriotism, and willingness to sacrifice for the 
good of our country.
  Indeed, I am extremely proud of all of our Armed Forces: the Army, 
the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps and the National Guard. Our 
entire military continues to work diligently in a time of conflict, and 
deserves the highest respect for their courage in the face of 
adversity.
  H.J. Res. 70 is our way, as the United States Congress, of 
recognizing the centennial of our Army Reserve, a force that our 
institution played a role in creating 100 years ago. This resolution 
honors the sacrifice and tremendous distinction of the millions of 
American men and women who have served as Army soldiers since April 23, 
1908.
  Madam Speaker, I again thank our colleague from Georgia (Mr. Bishop) 
for his initiative in bringing us together today to recognize and honor 
the Army Reserve on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, and I urge 
my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Joint Resolution 70, 
as amended, which congratulates the Army Reserve on its centennial.
  There are over 340 Army reservists in Virginia's First Congressional 
District, and over 150 have been mobilized in support of the global war 
on terror. Ever since 1908 when the Army Reserve began as a means to 
increase the efficiency of the Army Medical Corps, the Army Reserve and 
its soldiers have stepped up magnificently to every challenge and 
mission presented to them.
  Those challenges span the breadth of the American wars in the past 
100 years. In World War I, 169,500 Army reservists served; in World War 
II, 200,000, including 29 percent of the Army's officer corps; in 
Korea, 240,500; in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 94,000. 
And since September 11, 2001, 147,000 Army reservists have been 
mobilized in support of the global war on terror; 110,000 have 
deployed, 39,000 have served multiple deployments, and 102 have died in 
the war on terror.
  Army reservists are citizen soldiers active in 1,100 communities 
across the Nation. They are the sons and daughters, mothers and fathers 
of America. They are remarkable in many respects, but no more so than 
their willingness to serve this Nation in a professional and unselfish 
manner. They continue to serve today knowing that they will likely be 
deployed away from home, family and civilian employment.
  For many in America, the patriotism, commitment, and sacrifice of 
these remarkable citizens called Army reservists goes unnoticed. I 
believe every effort should be made to highlight and acknowledge their 
service to a grateful Nation. So it is entirely proper and fitting that 
we take this moment not only to mark an historical milestone of 100 
years of service to the Nation by the Army Reserve, but also to honor 
those soldiers past and present who have served and are serving so 
honorably as well as Army reservists.

                              {time}  1445

  Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this joint 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the original 
sponsor of this joint resolution.
  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I'm honored to sponsor this 
bipartisan resolution, along with Representatives Buyer, Shimkus and 
Taylor, to congratulate the United States Army Reserve on its 100th 
anniversary, which will be formally celebrated on April 23, 2008.
  The resolution, which has 260 cosponsors, also commemorates the 
contributions of Army Reserve veterans who've helped to ensure that the 
United States' vital national security interests are protected and 
defended in times of war and peace.
  I'm very gratified by the outpouring of bipartisan support that this 
resolution has received. It's indicative of the high regard and esteem 
in which the Army Reserve is held among Members of Congress and the 
American people.
  As a current member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, as 
well as the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Committee, I've 
been extremely impressed by the level of commitment that Army Reserve 
soldiers bring to their work, and by their high degree of 
professionalism. They truly are ``twice the citizen,'' as Winston 
Churchill once remarked.
  Today, the U.S. Army Reserve is composed of more than 30,000 officers 
and 150,000 enlisted soldiers. They have an active presence in 1,100 
communities across our Nation, contributing military values, important 
job skills, and economic support. They are husbands and wives, fathers 
and mothers, sons and daughters. They are our neighbors, our friends, 
our acquaintances and our colleagues at work. These soldiers can be 
called up at any time to serve our Nation, and they must be trained and 
prepared to respond at a moment's notice.
  Here in the House of Representatives, 24 Members, including myself, 
have been privileged to serve in the Reserves. In fact, two of the lead 
sponsors of this resolution, Representatives Steve Buyer and John 
Shimkus, still serve in the Army Reserve.
  As this resolution notes, the role of today's Army Reserve soldier 
has expanded and changed dramatically since President Roosevelt first 
requested that Congress establish a reserve of trained officers. On 
April 23, 1908, Congress responded to the President's request by 
establishing a permanent reserve corps of trained medical officers. The 
modest corps represented the humble start of what is today a multi-
faceted operational and strategic force.
  Since then, their duties have expanded. The Army Reserve is now an 
integral component in any active U.S. Army mission. They have answered 
the call of duty in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, 
Panama, the Gulf War, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo and, of course, 
since September 11, 2001, in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
  Through October 31, 2007, 102 Army Reserve soldiers made the ultimate 
sacrifice while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, an 
additional four Reserve officers have lost their lives in combat. We 
dedicate this resolution to their memory and to the memory of all 
Reserve soldiers who fought and died defending our Nation's freedoms 
throughout our history.
  We dedicate this resolution to our living heroes as well, to those 
men and women who continue their service to our Nation in the U.S. Army 
Reserve today.

[[Page H2024]]

  I want to commend several staff members for the outstanding work in 
bringing this resolution to the floor: Kevin Coughlin, Joe Hicken and 
John Chapla on the House Armed Services Committee, Tim Welter and Abel 
Carreiro on Congressman Buyer's staff, Grant Culp from Congressman 
Shimkus' staff, Randy Jennings on Congressman Taylor's staff, David 
Whitney on the House Judiciary Committee, Lieutenant General Jack C. 
Stultz and Lieutenant Colonel Rob Young of the Army Reserve, and 
Jonathan Halpern and Ed Larkin on my staff.
  Madam Speaker, I, again, thank my colleagues who are cosponsors for 
their extraordinary support of this resolution, and I urge its 
immediate adoption.
  Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, as the Army Reserve celebrates its 
centennial, I rise to congratulate the Reserve on its dedicated service 
and sacrifice to ensure our Nation's freedom. Since its inception on 
April 23, 1908, the Reserve and its more than 1 million citizen-
soldiers have protected American citizens at home and abroad. When 
tyranny raises its fist and liberty is threatened, the citizen-soldier 
answers the call to ease the suffering. For this, our Nation is forever 
grateful.
  Today, more than 20,000 Army Reserve soldiers are deployed in Iraq, 
Afghanistan, and 18 other countries, with an additional 7,000 Army 
Reserve serving in the United States. In my home State of Minnesota, 
historic Fort Snelling is the proud home to the 88th Regional Readiness 
Command, comprised of Reserve units from Minnesota, Wisconsin, 
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. America's greatness lies in her 
people, and the American soldier is the embodiment of hard work, 
patriotism and service, the finest of America's principles.
  Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize today the selfless 
commitment and sacrifice of so many citizen-soldiers. It is they who 
lay down their lives to defend those who cannot defend themselves. It 
is they who lay down their lives to protect the rights of those who 
disrespect our flag and our Nation. And it is they who lay down their 
lives so that true freedom will never know extinction. As April 23 
approaches, let us remember and be forever grateful for the Army 
Reserve's 100 years of noble service and sacrifice to our Nation.
  Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, at this time 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 Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 70, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentlewoman from Guam seek 
recognition?
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the demand for the 
yeas and nays?
  There was no objection.
  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 motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________