[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, today, we mark the 
anniversary of one of the darkest moments in American history.
  For the thousands of soldiers who were surrendered to enemy forces on 
April 9, 1942, the years that have passed since have been filled with 
memories of what occurred that day and in the hundreds of days that 
followed. Starvation. Torture. Forced work. Captivity. Death.
  But in the 66 years since, the events at Bataan have conjured other 
memories for the rest of us. Bravery. Sacrifice. And an unbreakable 
demonstration of courage.
  ``The Battling Bastards of Bataan,'' they were christened by Frank 
Hewlett, one of the last journalists to report on the troops before 
they were surrendered. For 4 months they fought, battling daily against 
the enemy, against illness, and against time. And when there was no 
fight left, when the time for surrender was upon them, they were alone. 
Neither planes in the skies nor boats in the sea appeared, ready to 
give the boost of firepower that would turn the tides. Instead, the men 
at Bataan laid down their weapons and walked into a hell that would 
last over 3 years.
  In TIME magazine, the surrender at Bataan was reported under the 
headline, Death of an American Illusion. ``These U.S. soldiers had 
stumbled ragged, sleepless and half-starved through the last days of 
the most humiliating defeat in U.S. history,'' wrote the correspondent. 
``In no previous battle had so many U.S. fighting men gone down before 
a foreign enemy, and seldom had any beaten U.S. soldiers been in such 
pitiable condition--believing until the last hour of destruction that 
their country could and surely would send them aid. The U.S. had known 
the end was near. But it had not, could not, beforehand, taste the 
taste and smell the smell of crushing defeat.''
  For those of us from New Mexico, the events at Bataan strike home 
particularly hard because of the involvement of the 200th and 515th 
regiments. These New Mexico National Guardsmen came from all parts of 
the State and from all walks of life. On the 12 columns here we see 
their names and we lament at the sheer number who shipped overseas and 
never returned. They came to serve and they gave the ultimate sacrifice 
in defense of their country.
  We also must take note at the number of Hispanic soldiers who served, 
fought, and died. Their service during a time of discrimination, both 
in the military and in the public, poignantly epitomizes the struggle 
they faced in being treated with equality, with respect, and with 
dignity. For those who remained unequivocally devoted to their Nation 
even while being treated as second-class citizens, we salute you and 
promise that we will not forget your service.
  As a token of our remembrance, earlier this year I introduced 
legislation that would award the Bataan prisoners of war with the 
Congressional Gold Medal. This award, long past due, would be a fitting 
tribute and would forever signify the thanks of our Nation to the 
soldiers who served with honor and with courage.
  Sadly, we are no longer graced with the presence of many of the 
original heroes who struggled and survived the ordeals of Bataan. The 
ravages of captivity and the passage of time have taken many of them 
from us and we are now left with their story and with their memory. 
Future generations of Americans will hear the story of Bataan second-
hand, never able to meet a soldier who still bears the scars of torture 
or who still remembers the joy of liberation and returning home. For 
now, however, with those who are still here and who can still tell 
their story, we must grant them the widest forum and the most amplified 
voice to ensure that this tale of courage, this legend of the Battling 
Bastards of Bataan, is shared as far and wide as possible. We cannot, 
we must not, forget what happened at Bataan and our actions of honoring 
these soldiers will never meet the great sacrifice they gave on the 
battlefield so many years ago.
  To those who suffered and who never returned, we honor your memory.
  To those who have since passed, we remember your story.
  And to those with us today, we praise your courage and give you our 
thanks.

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